Bookbarn International Group
Premium
Bookbarn International Group Ltd is one of the largest sellers of second-hand, pre-loved, and antiquarian books, selling both online and offline worldwide. They have a B2C and B2B business model, and 80% of the revenue is generated through online activity, while the remaining 20% comes from the shops, the cafe, and the wholesale business. The company sells books globally through 20 e-commerce portals, and their largest markets are in the UK and US, and over 40% of sales are exported. In the last 12 months, BBIG has sold 196,137 books online and a further 145,644 through BBIG’s two shops plus 45 pallets (roughly 1,000 books each) of wholesale books for the Books by the Yard operation. The investment amount will be deployed as expansion finance on software and systems development, marketing, sales, and profit growth through franchising and further aggregation.
Wi-Fi Securities Limited is a cyber security company that aims to revolutionise the security of public access Wi-Fi. To realise this vision, the company is developing a unique patent-protected system called SpriteGuard™ which will protect you and your data from hackers by stopping you connecting to fake hotspots. The system is targeted towards the $550 bn worldwide hospitality industry and has the ability to expand to other large global markets like city-wide free Wi-Fi, airports and coffee shops. Moreover, Wi-Fi Securities Limited has a highly experienced Wi-Fi Securities management board that has a track record of delivering multi-million-pound projects from concept to successful commercial deployment.
days to go:
Extended
investment:
£1,014,708
Celestial Labs is a drone display company that combines advanced technology with organic performance. The company's proprietary 'Skytheatre' display is a dynamic, safe and green alternative to carbon-intensive fireworks and represents a new frontier for the live event industry. Composed of a creative collective of award-winning filmmakers, musicians, developers, entrepreneurs, and storytellers, the company is constantly pushing the boundaries of drone display innovation, where technology meets imagination. The Human Support division of Celestial is a not-for-profit initiative that aims to lift the spirits of those who witness Celestial's displays whilst imparting crucial information. The company aims to enlist the support and guidance of city leadership partners, industrial conglomerates, and seek grant funding.
days to go:
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investment:
Withheld
Argento Labs, a UK-based biotech company, is dedicated to converting waste into valuable resources, leading the way in sustainable innovation. They utilize patented bioprocessing technology to extract sugars, proteins, and fats from agricultural, forestry, and municipal waste. Their product range includes alternative proteins, biogenic CO2, and bio-fertilizers, contributing to environmental sustainability and decarbonization efforts. Argento Labs focuses on scalability for industrial production to support a sustainable future and envisions waste as a transformative solution for preserving the planet. Their patent currently applies in the US jurisdiction.
days to go:
Stretch
investment:
£406,251
Amino focuses on targeted nutrition using amino acids to improve human health, emphasizing the untapped potential beyond sports and bodybuilding. Currently offering pre- and intra-workout amino acid drinks, the company aims to expand its product line to cater to a broader consumer base, believing the market lacks variety in ready-to-mix powdered blends. Backed by scientific research and a commitment to taste and accessibility, Amino aspires to emerge as the leading global brand in amino acid products.
days to go:
Stretch
investment:
£192,918
Bagel Corner is a fast-food chain known for its specialty in bagels, donuts, and coffee. With 40 restaurants currently under the Bagel Corner license, they have plans to expand to 100 locations by the end of 2028, leveraging their community of over 35,000 supporters. To achieve this goal, Bagel Corner is seeking funds to drive their growth.
Their new concept involves vibrant, customizable coffee shops offering delightful options of bagels, donuts, and coffee throughout the day.
days to go:
7
investment:
€231,120
Boom is a pioneering force in the business telecom sector, introducing a cutting-edge Unified Communications cloud-based IaaS infrastructure that combines Unified Communications, software integration, and advanced analytics to cater to businesses of all sizes. Through their white label approach, Boom offers an innovative Insight as a Service (IaaS) solution, allowing resellers to gain unparalleled insights across their clients' services. Led by a skilled team, Boom sets itself apart by merging three cloud services, including Unified Communications, software integration, and advanced analytics, enabling businesses to enhance customer interactions and experiences.
days to go:
TBC
investment:
Withheld
Carocell Bio is innovating by developing patented anti-inflammatory peptides delivered via nanoparticles to address severe inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Their primary peptide, JEL0305, not only halts inflammation but also prevents its initiation, as evidenced by its effectiveness in reducing inflammation in human AD biopsies and burn tissue. With AD impacting a substantial population and costing $21 billion yearly for unsafe treatments, Carocell Bio's safer peptide remedy has the potential to avert AD recurrence. Additionally, their pioneering approach to skin-related inflammation involves topical peptide products that target mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a crucial element in inflammation. This breakthrough offers promise for managing and forestalling AD and mitigating skin aging.
days to go:
6
investment:
Withheld
Cheran's Bakery, based in Kent, specializes in crafting sumptuous sweet treats available online and at their expanding chain of five stores. With sales exceeding £1.2 million since inception, they create indulgent and creatively packaged products, baked daily for maximum freshness and luxury. Their high-quality, visually appealing shop designs and 'Instagrammable' offerings have attracted over 24,000 social media followers, amplifying brand recognition, while their focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences fosters word-of-mouth promotion.
days to go:
Stretch
investment:
£281,867
CityLegends is an evolving community app for urban athletes and artists, striving to lead the way as a social platform for urban sports and culture. With a user base of 75,000 and expanding, the app celebrates the distinctiveness and independence of urban sports, recognizing their social, competitive, and connective aspects.
As traditional sports wane among youth, urban sports such as skateboarding and parkour are on the rise. Currently, an estimated 150 million urban sports enthusiasts engage in various activities, attracting a staggering 1 billion annual viewers. The company foresees an emerging €9 billion global urban sports market and aims to bridge the gap, bringing together athletes, fans, brands, and governments for authentic engagement within these thriving communities.
days to go:
2
investment:
€532,325
Clinical Net is a health-tech firm focused on revolutionizing access to innovative clinical trials. Their AI platform swiftly connects patients with suitable trials, addressing the challenge of low participation rates and delays that hinder pharmaceutical research. With over 69,000 trials globally, their solution aims to streamline the cumbersome and time-consuming process of trial matching, making it more efficient and accessible within 5 minutes. This innovative approach targets the $3.73 billion patient recruitment market while ensuring individuals have easier access to groundbreaking treatments.
days to go:
2
investment:
£130,059
