Mortgages aren’t exactly known for being simple, accessible or let’s be honest, remotely enjoyable. But Belfast-based startup Meet Margo is changing that. And they’re doing it with something the industry has long overlooked: empathy.
This year, Meet Margo was named Northern Ireland StartUp of the Year 2025 at the Northern Ireland StartUp Awards and for good reason. In an industry packed with jargon, stress, and hidden fees, Meet Margo is proving that mortgage advice doesn’t have to feel out of reach, especially for women who haven’t always had access to advice that truly supports them through the process.
Their mission is simple: make expert mortgage support free, personal, and available to women starting with remortgages.
Meet Margo was founded by husband-and-wife duo Matt and Claire Towe, who saw first-hand how broken the traditional advice model had become. Friends and family, especially women were navigating huge financial decisions with little guidance and a lot of stress.
So they decided to build something better.
From humble kitchen-table beginnings, the idea rapidly evolved into a five-star digital brokerage supported by their team and powered by an exceptional app. Today, the Meet Margo: Mortgage Adviser app helps users search across lenders, connect directly with real advisers, and follow a clear, guided timeline to secure the mortgage that’s right for them.
In an interview, Claire shared "As we expand our tech to support first-time buyers and home movers, we remain committed to opening doors for more women and redefining what accessible advice looks like.”
Meet Margo’s app walks you through each step without overwhelm. And their service is designed to work around your life, whether that’s late at night, or during a coffee break at work.
At the core of the business is a belief that good advice should be free, not hidden behind fees or gatekeeping. That’s why Meet Margo doesn’t charge users for mortgage advice. Instead, like traditional brokerages, they’re paid by the lenders, not the people they support.
It’s a small shift with a big impact: expert guidance becomes more accessible to first-time buyers, solo parents, self-employed workers, and anyone who might have previously felt unsure where to start.
This commitment to accessibility and support has fueled their rapid growth and set the stage for a major milestone.
With mortgage experts working remotely across Belfast, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Essex, Meet Margo is showing how a regional startup can scale nationally while keeping its values intact.
The UK StartUp Awards aim to highlight ventures that respond to real demands, offer practical solutions, and embrace innovation in their own unique way. And that’s exactly what Meet Margo is all about.
With a top Trustpilot rating, industry accolades including “Best Mortgage Industry Newcomer,” and now a recognition as a regional winner, Meet Margo is quickly becoming a name to watch in UK fintech.
While remortgages were their starting point, Meet Margo is already looking to the future. The team is expanding the platform to support first-time buyers and home movers, while continuing to prioritise simplicity, transparency, and real human advice.
And as the startup continues to grow, its mission remains firmly rooted in what started it all: helping more people, especially women feel confident, capable, and empowered when it comes to owning a home.
Because for Meet Margo, this isn’t just about mortgages. It’s about freedom, security, and possibility.
It’s about opening doors.
Want to see what the future of mortgage advice looks like and meet the founders behind Northern Ireland’s top startup of the year?
Meet Margo will be joining us at the UK StartUp Awards Nationals this September at Ideas Fest
Grab yours now and don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Click here https://ideasfest.uk/ideas-fest-2025-tickets/