Cohort 3.0 Founder behind “Airbnb of Shared living” announced as Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022 finalist

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Worcester-based Vann Vogstad has been recognised as one of the best in the business after being named as a finalist for the Startup Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

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Vann founded COHO, “the Airbnb of shared living” to help people find shared houses with like-minded people, as a response to both the increasing costs of living and the recognition of the loneliness epidemic and its effects on mental health.

COHO, founded in 2019, and alumni of Worcestershire’s BetaDen startup accelerator, raised venture capital investment in 2021 to increase its rapid growth.

Vann Vogstad is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants - the most the awards has ever had. 

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.

Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Vann Vogstad said: “I love that we’ve been able to make improvements in a space I’m really passionate about, and it’s awesome to be recognised by the GBEA for what the team is doing with COHO. Until now shared living has been an economic response to rent prices, but with more people recognising the importance of mental health and the impact of loneliness, I truly believe in the coming years we’ll see more and more people choosing to live with like-minded, compatible people, if for nothing more than to have others around to watch the latest Netflix series with a beer”.

The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni has collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.

Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.

 

“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.

 

“This year’s finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award - we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”

 

Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: "Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It's great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories."

 

For the full list of finalists, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com