Overview
Funzing is an online sharing‑economy marketplace that enables individuals to host and attend leisure‑time events and experiences based on personal hobbies, passions, or skills. The platform functions as a community‑driven marketplace where hosts can create a wide variety of activities—such as supper clubs, tours, workshops, lectures, and fitness classes—and participants can discover and book these experiences. Funzing operates as a commercial, English‑language service and is accessible via its website (www.funzing.com).
History
The company was founded in Israel in 2014 by Avigur Zmora, the former chief executive officer of Playtech, together with co‑founders Eran Alon, Noa Moscati, and Yaron Saghiv. Initial funding was provided by the venture‑capital firm Inimiti, which contributed approximately US $1.5 million to support a launch in the United Kingdom, beginning with the Greater London area. By June 2016, the platform reported more than 2,000 registered hosts and over 35,000 participants attending events.
Concept and Business Model
Funzing’s model is based on the premise that individuals seek diverse, locally sourced leisure activities beyond conventional options. Hosts—ranging from hobbyists to small‑business owners—list their events on the platform, set pricing, and manage bookings. Participants browse listings, purchase tickets, and attend the hosted experiences. The service has been described as the “Airbnb of experiences,” emphasizing peer‑to‑peer creation and consumption of unique activities.
Geographic Presence
As of the latest available information, Funzing maintains active operations in several cities, including London and Manchester in the United Kingdom, Tel Aviv in Israel, and Singapore. The platform collaborates with local venues and community groups to broaden its catalogue of events.
References
- “Former Playtech CEO launches Funzing,” Globes (20 August 2014).
- “Real People Show Off Their Talents Through Events With Funzing,” Londonist (11 May 2015).
- “Innovation in Funding 2015‑2016 competition entry: Funzing,” The Guardian (1 September 2015).
- Various news articles cited in the Wikipedia entry for Funzing.