
Theo-Lee Houston: Revolutionizing Hospitality with Slinger
Theo-Lee Houston, the visionary founder of Slinger, has carved a remarkable path in the world of hospitality. His journey is one of tenacity, innovation, and a commitment to transforming the way we connect workers with employers. Let’s delve into the fascinating story of Theo-Lee Houston and his groundbreaking venture.
Early Beginnings and the Princes Trust
Theo-Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited at a young age. Bucking conventional wisdom, he started a street food business before it became trendy. His passion for quality food led him to curate one of Europe’s largest markets, the iconic Maltby Street Market. Under his leadership, Maltby Street Market became synonymous with London’s best street food.
Climbing the Ranks at KERB
Theo-Lee’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. He was headhunted by his dream company, KERB, where he ascended to the role of Head of Markets. Responsible for seven iconic London market sites, he played a pivotal role in developing over 100 street food concepts. Bleecker Burger and Pizza Pilgrims are just a few of the success stories he nurtured.
Slinger: The Uber for Hospitality

Amidst the hospitality storm, Theo-Lee identified a common pain point: staffing. Inspired by his experience, he founded Slinger, a platform that aims to make CVs redundant. Slinger offers fair and fun shift work to side-hustlers, students, and hospitality professionals across the UK. What sets Slinger apart? It’s the only platform that promises to pay The Real Living Wage for every shift, with 30% of roles paying above that threshold. Slinger’s slick app ensures that people can start earning easily, making it the fairest pay and the easiest way to find work.
Google Black Founders Fund and Barclays Business Cohort

Theo-Lee’s journey took a significant leap when Slinger secured funding from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. This validation opened doors across the startup ecosystem, propelling Slinger’s mission forward. Additionally, Slinger was part of the Barclays Business Cohort, further cementing its position as a trailblazing force in the industry.
Raising £500,000 in Capital
Slinger’s impact continued to grow. In a remarkable feat, Theo-Lee secured £500,000 in pre-seed investment led by Fuel Ventures. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to revolutionising hiring practices resonated with investors.
Pivoting to a “No C.V.” Hiring Solution
Recognizing the need for innovation, Slinger pivoted to offer trial shifts—a work date, if you will. By vetting potential workers through video and streamlining the hiring process, Slinger empowers businesses to find quality staff without the traditional CV roadblocks.
Theo-Lee Houston’s journey—from street food entrepreneur to hospitality disruptor—is a testament to resilience, vision, and unwavering determination. With Slinger, he’s not just changing the game; he’s rewriting the rules. Keep an eye on this trailblazer—there’s much more to come! 🚀



