Property Partner, the crowdfunding business that allows investors to take stakes in the ownership of individual rental properties from £50 and can then trade their shares, has raised almost £16m.

Its latest round of fund-raising is intended to help the firm go global.

Notably, the latest round was led by Octopus Ventures, early backers of Zoopla.

It takes the total investment in the company, led by Daniel Gandesha, to £22.5m.

The firm was founded in January 2015, and already has over 6,200 customers who together have invested more than £24m in 166 properties.

Currently launching a property a week to its investors, Property Partner claims to have the most active buyers in the UK market.

Keen to work with estate agents, its investors earn an estimated net (ie, after fees) of 13% per year.

Property Partner said it is making the property market better, not just for investors but also for tenants, first-time buyers and housing supply.

It claims that tenants receive a positive renting experience (Property Partner’s properties are managed professionally), while first-time buyers can track the housing market with their deposit savings, and smaller developers can access improved cash flow.

Property Partner also claims that its “stock exchange” which allows investors to buy, trade and sell their shares, is also working well.

It says over £4.7m worth of shares have already been traded.

Gadesha said of the latest investment round: “These funds will help propel us towards our ultimate goal – that of being a global stock exchange for property.”

Jo Oliver, investment director at Octopus, said: “The £5.75 trillion UK property market, with the exception of pioneers such as Zoopla, has been slow to embrace technology.

“However, this is now changing rapidly and Property Partner is one of the companies leading this disruption.

“Through its combination of technology, business model and excellent management execution Property Partner is dramatically increasing and improving the accessibility of property as an investment asset class.

“Octopus Ventures is delighted to be leading the current investment round to help Dan and his team fulfil their vision of being the world’s leading stock exchange for property.”