Samson VT is an online platform that allows a user to convert a design or intellectual property into a 'Virtual Twin' i.e., a digital replica of any entity. The platform is redefining how organisations think about, manage, and interact with data by connecting previously siloed data and replacing paper and PDF publications. Its vision is to pioneer Virtual Twin as a Service (VTaaS), a subscription model affordable to small and medium enterprises. With £250,000 Angel funding in February 2019, the brand built SamsonWEB, its cloud-based platform that allows organisations to start their digital transformation journey by uploading a Computer-aided design (CAD) file onto its portal. Its SamsonCORE then allows the user to virtually take apart the product, viewing everything from the serial numbers for individual components, to service records for parts. And, with SamsonLIVE, the user can connect, store and visualise Internet of Things (IoT) data to build a fully functioning virtual twin. The IoT market is estimated to reach $11.1 trillion by 2026 furthering the need to shift to work and think digitally in a comprehensive manner. In January 2020, to compliment SamsonWEB, SamsonCORE, and SamsonLIVE, Innovate UK awarded the company with a £500,000 grant to develop SamsonAI. With the funds received, the company aims to invest 30% of it on SamsonAI alongside Innovate UK Grant, 30% on SamsonCORE development, 20% on marketing and sales, and 10% on outstanding suppliers.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£206,485
The Funky Appliance Company is the manufacturer of electronic appliances like irons, toasters and kettles. They give popular small domestic appliances a funky twist by designing them in a new stylish and smarter way. The company is working on a new product which will launch in the UK in 2020, and will be sold on its website and dedicated Amazon and eBay stores. They have also finalised arrangements with at least two large UK retailers which will see the new product range go into over 100 stores and online. Funky Iron has got the Good Housekeeping Institute Approval in 2019. The company will use the funds for the tooling and moulds of new products including their certification. The balance of capital will be used as working capital.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£171,359
Honestly Good Smoothie Company specialises in making 100% organic pre-portioned smoothie ingredient packets delivered directly to a customer's doorstep. Users can avail their kits via a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly subscription plans. Each recipe is developed by a chef and approved by an independent nutritionist. The ingredients are delivered in ready-to-blend kits in recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging. The company has more than 25 recipes and has sold over 30,000 smoothie kits. The company has been featured in publications such as Forbes, and Pebble magazine. With the investment, the company aims to introduce re-usable packaging by June 2020, offer more data-driven personalised plans, introduce another 20 recipes, build its digital marketing strategy and subscriber base.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£119,321
Cuckoo is an internet broadband provider. The company claims that incumbent internet providers treat customers with poor customer service, high prices, and complicated contracts. Cuckoo aims to change this by providing users with fair and transparent prices, simple contracts, high-quality routers, and responsive customer service. The company is currently developing its website and billing engine ahead of launching with its first customers in the second quarter of 2020. Cuckoo's business is in the pre-revenue stage. It expects to start generating revenue in May/June 2020 when they launch their broadband service. Cuckoo will use 50% of the investment towards paying salaries to staff, 25% as technology development fees, 10% as professional fees, 5% as rent, and 10% as AOB. Cuckoo's exit strategy is via a trade sale or listing in the United Kingdom.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£69,622
Flooring Hut is a UK-based technology company that aims to disrupt the UK flooring industry valued at £2bn in 2017. Touted as the smarter way to buy new carpets & flooring, Flooring Hut has made 24,000+ online sales across domestic and trade sectors by building a huge network of independent installers. The company's USP is to connect a disjointed market and allow customers access to value products, samples, leading brands and a suitable, vetted local installer to perform the work. The key to its success to date has been a consistent and reliable mix of pricing, availability, and selection. Till date, the company has 786 registered trade customers, 140+ Flooring Hut Installer Network of members, and 12,000 products available for sale. With the proceeds, the company will develop its self-service platform functionality for customers and expand its reach on social media and affiliate marketing.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£57,077
Outfts is a fashion marketplace that serves retailers, influencers, and consumers merging the traditional marketplace concept with expanding social features. Users can shop via storefront, creator profiles, shoppable social feed, or search and product listings. Outfts is focused on 'Female First' creators. Outfts claims to bring together a growing collection of more than 55 retailers, combining over 3000 brands and over 1 million products. The company live tested its private beta, with three carefully selected clients namely, H&M, Urban Outfitters and MATCHESFASHION, and multiple influencers. It has acquired over 50 more high-profile clients, including Coach, Kenzo, MANGO, Harvey and many more. Outfts says it will use the investment to hire key personnel, manage operational expenses, manage marketing initiatives, oversee its app development, and expand outside of the European market, beginning with the US.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£198,047
Brainpool AI is a global network of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning experts applied to Business. One of the top 10 AI Consultancies of 2019, the network has helped major companies like EY, Sainsbury, and Facebook in applying AI in automating and increasing their efficiency of operations. Brainpool AI's AI experts have been featured in many tech publications like Forbes, Daily Mail and Bloomberg. With the proceeds, the company will accelerate the process of bringing its first two products to the market. It will also improve its team, marketing & sales, employee training, etc.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£203,456
Miso Tasty is a Japanese inspired food brand that specialises in the production and sale of Miso, a delicacy of Japan. To maintain authenticity, the company sources its key ingredients directly from Japan and has experience of over six years in manufacturing a range of delicacies such as Miso Soups, Miso Pastes, and Meal Kits. Led by an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and creative chef Bonnie Chung, Miso Tasty has established itself into the UK's top two supermarkets -Tesco and Sainsbury's. It's products have been featured in publications such as The Guardian, Daily Mail, and The Sunday Telegraph. Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver mentioned Miso Tasty on his TV show. The brand has also launched a collaboration menu with Masterchef Winner Tim Anderson's restaurant, NanBan. With the funds received, Miso Tasty will put more efforts into brand awareness within the UK, launch product ranges such as marinades and sauces that delve deeper into Japanese cuisine, recruit more staff and capital resources to further the brand's business.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£384,088
Rogue produces indulgent preserves by using traditional cooking methods to make luxury preserves with a provocative twist. Their aim is to be the UK's best-selling and most popular preserve brand. Rogue started working with a SALSA accredited manufacturer, that can produce the products at scale and delivers stock to their first major UK distributor. They have featured on BBC Radio Wales following a successful Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. With the proceeds, they are going to spend on marketing, scaling up their business, and planning to build a strong management team.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£29,224
Launched in October 2016, Big Drop Brewing is a world-leading alcohol-free craft brewer. The company brews beer naturally by using specialist brewing methods to ensure the alcohol never exceeds 0.5%. The beer is not only Alcohol-Free, but is also gluten-free and many are low in sugar. Their award-winning lager is vegan-friendly. The company does not have a brewery of its own but partners with reputable breweries around the world, who share their brewing values to produce the beer. Big Drop Brewing has secured private funding already and meaningful distribution in the UK and 12 overseas markets. They have also secured off-trade listings in Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado. Half of the investment will be used for Sales & Marketing, 30% for new branding launch and related marketing, 10% for production costs and the remaining 10% for product development.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£617,566
