Brisbane moving-technology company Muval backed by QIC in latest $1m raise for new platform

Muval, which has previously been named by Deloitte as one of Australia’s fastest growing tech companies, says the investment will help fast-track the roll-out of Movepro, the company’s new white label software technology, designed to improve the reputation and efficiency of Australia’s more than 7,500 removal companies.

Co-founder and CEO James Morrell says the idea arose from the success of Muval, an online marketplace that enables people and businesses to find, compare and book quality removalists.

“Australia’s moving industry is large, but highly fragmented, with a significant portion of operators using antiquated or limited technology to book and manage jobs,” says Morrell.

“As an online marketplace, quality-assurance is at the forefront of everything we do. Due to our high service standards, we are currently only able to accept about 25 per cent of the removalists that apply to join the platform; this limits the impact we can have.”

Morrell says Movepro will change that.

“By providing an affordable and accessible software solution, removalists will be able to streamline their operations, increase their service offering and improve customer satisfaction,” he says.

“This will have a massive knock-on effect for improving the almost universally hated experience of people moving house.”

The AI-powered, sales-first platform, which will be available in the next few months, will offer online bookings, streamlined payments, automated workflows, quality-assurance guards, in-built communication and smart scheduling, among other features.

Muval points out that more than one million households relocate across Australian suburbs, cities and states each year. Since launching in 2019, the company has facilitate more than 50,000 moves.

Muval also entered the corporate removals market in 2023, introducing its Employee Assist service to help employees relocating for work.

ACAC Innovation CEO Bryce Greig, who was Muval’s first investor, says the company has continued to increase its market share despite a deceleration of the sector following its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“James and the team have created an invaluable platform that helps reduce the pain-points of one of the most stressful life events, while also securing business for hard-working and reputable removalists,” says Greig.

“It’s not often we see a marketplace business move into SaaS (software as a service). That, coupled with Muval’s success and profitability as the go-to marketplace for removalists, made it a no-brainer for us to invest again to make Movepro a reality.”

QIC Ventures Investment director Nick Capell says Muval’s continued vertical expansion “creates multiple value creation levers”.

"We've seen compelling examples of world-leading companies, like ServiceTitan, being built upon products that deliver technology solutions to traditional physical service industries," says Capell.

"The team's launch of Movepro provides a platform for the business to expand beyond their existing marketplace platform and redefine efficiency and customer experience in the removalist industry."

UniQuest Extension Fund investor Dr Grace Dolan sees Muval as setting a new standard for the moving industry.

“From our earliest engagements with James and the team, it was clear they had an intimate understanding of the market and a commitment to optimising the moving experience for all,” she says.

“James has a clear vision for leveraging technology to solve problems, and he and the team have adapted the platform by consistently identifying challenges and opportunities to improve the customer experience. 

“As an investor, it is exciting to find the level of product-market fit that Muval has been able to achieve.

“We are pleased to support Muval’s continuing success and be part of their journey.”