Aneeqa Khan, 29 years old and formerly the Strategy Director at Zoopla, has embarked on a mission to modernize the way interior professionals conduct their business. Her journey began with a simple flat redesign, which eventually led to the creation of eporta in 2015. Today, this platform boasts over 2,000 interior professionals and collaborates with 750 suppliers worldwide.
Eporta represents a revolutionary solution in a globally fragmented industry, evolving into the largest brand network within the realm of global interiors since its inception. It eliminates the need for endless Google searches to locate the perfect supplier.
Aneeqa’s inspiration for eporta emerged while she was searching for furniture for her Brixton flat while maintaining a demanding job. She was surprised by the lack of an accessible and comprehensive online source for interior products, despite the sheer number of suppliers available. Delving deeper, it became evident that professional buyers required an online platform that could aggregate the best global suppliers, regardless of their size, to simplify the discovery and procurement of products.
“We aimed to establish a design meritocracy where professionals could find the perfect items for their projects, whether from renowned brands like Tom Dixon or emerging talents without a web presence.”
The user base encompasses a variety of buyers, including property developers, architects, interior designers, and trade buyers in the commercial sector, such as restaurateurs and hoteliers. They can create product wish lists and negotiate direct trade discounts.
Eporta’s approach intentionally avoids promoting any particular style or curation, encompassing a wide range from Art Deco to mid-century modern and classic traditional. The platform personally evaluates each brand listed to ensure a certain level of quality.
Eporta has also become a digital partner for numerous trade events during The London Design Festival, building on its successful digital partnership at Clerkenwell Design Week. This collaboration enables visitors to track and connect with brands both before and after the event.
Eporta has garnered support from notable backers, including Robin Klein, Guy Hands, Ed Wray (Betfair founder), Rohan Blacker (Sofa.com founder), and Will Cooper (Achica co-founder).
