Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS) is a company that has developed globally patented systems to counteract the forces an armoured vehicle sustains when a mine or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explodes under it. ABBS asserts that mines and IEDs accounted for over 80% of UK and US army casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. ABBS aims to change this and become a major contender in the $20 billion armoured vehicle protection market. The company points out that it has been tasked by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) to draft safety regulations for emergency descent arrest systems. The company also holds multiple patents for its proven Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation (VGAM) vehicle mine protection system and has a patent pending for a Zero-Zero Crash Prevention (ZZCP) system for light aircraft and electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOLs) systems. It will use the investment for marketing, boosting R&D, and maintaining and expanding its IP/patent portfolio.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£88,003
Riversimple is a car manufacturer and service provider that aims to usher in path-breaking electric vehicles that run on Hydrogen on a subscription basis. Customers are required to pay a single monthly fee that covers the vehicle, fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs. Riversimple claims that its proprietary two-seat local commuter vehicle, Rasa, can cover nearly 300 miles from a 3-minute fill. The company has signed an agreement with Siemens UK to collaborate over technology and sustainability. Riversimple asserts that Siemens is helping design the volume manufacturing facility. The company points out that it is leading the Circular Revolution, a £2.3 million programme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to introduce a circular economy practice in businesses in Wales and to facilitate circular economy innovation in the supply chain. It will use the investment to expand its engineering team, channel customer feedback into the designs for volume production, and deliver the most efficient facility possible.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,316,352
Propelair is a company that has developed the world’s lowest water-flush toilet system. The toilet uses air to propel 1.5 litres of water per flush, saving water when compared to 6-9 litres per flush for conventional toilets. The company has installed nearly 4,000 units in the UK and South Africa. They were awarded the prestigious Horizon2020 grant in 2017 to develop new innovations. It has also been featured in publications such as The Daily Telegraph, London Evening Standard, and The Times. The company will use the investment as working capital and stock acquisition funds to enable growth, in the UK and South Africa and launch into other water-stressed markets like the Middle East, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and introduce its 'Smart Connected Toilet' to the market.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,236,245
Fitbakes is a low sugar and high protein baked snacks brand. The company claims that its products have 90% less sugar, 80% less fat, 60% fewer calories and 200% more protein than leading cakes and chocolate brands with no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or colourings. Fitbakes claims that its products are compliant with the UK government's 'Non-HFSS' policy. The company has sold over 1 million cakes via the 'Direct 2 Consumer' channel, experienced 25% repeat purchase in-store, onboarded retailers such as Coop and Selfridges, and planned a launch in 1,000 Tesco Express stores in Q3 2021. The company is also working with over 1,000 micro-influencers and over 50,000 Instagram followers. It was also a winner at the 'Best of Health Awards' and a finalist at the 'MidCounties Good Food Awards'. The company has received press coverage in BBC1 News, The Times, Forbes, The Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Grocer. It states it will use the investment to support its digital growth and retail launch with major retailers.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£523,184
Kokoon is a digital platform that offers personalised, clinically approved, intelligent audio content and coaching for better sleep and relaxation. The company has also introduced a set of ergonomic headphones that work seamlessly with the Kokoon app and encourages and protects relaxation and sleep. The company has also been featured in esteemed platforms such as BBC, HuffPost, and The Guardian. Since its inception 4 years ago, Kokoon has received over £4.5m in online sales, scaled manufacturing to 6000 units per month, won an Innovate UK Government Grant and has 5 international patents in its portforlio. Going forward, Kokoon aims to become a world-leading technology brand, positively changing the lives of millions.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,654,936
A fashion brand in the contemporary luxury accessories market ethically producing handbags to be sold directly to the consumer through e-commerce. Hill & Friends's handbags are manufactured from high quality materials in Western Europe. All leather used is ethically sourced and is a by-product of the food industry. The company sells its products via their own website, through wholesalers and at retailers such as Selfridges, Barneys, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick.
Hill & Friends are raising funds to invest in three initiatives. Firstly, they are seeking change in their manufacturing process to utilise more scalable and agile methods that will reduce total expenditure and shorten lead times when reordering high-selling products.
Secondly, the company intends to re-platform from Magento to Shopify due to the latter's greater impact on the market. This will result in an improved customer experience and better integrations with affiliate sites.
Finally, with the rapid increase of online shopping, Hill & Friends will use the funds raised to invest further in digital marketing by increasing the number of social ads and working alongside a diverse range of online influencers.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£773,059
A premium clothing brand that specialises on creating tailored merino and denim garments. King & Tuckfield manufacture their clothes in the UK and aim to produce long-lasting and sustainable products. The company is the award winner of "Best New Brand of the Year 2018" and fans of the business include Linda Tol, Jim Chapman, Laura Jackson, Emma Willis and Richard Biedul.
King & Tuckfield launched in 2016 and their turnover has grown 5.5 times from 2017 to 2018. In Year 1, turnover reached £40k and in Year 2, turnover exceeded £260k. Funds are being raised to expand their e-commerce offering and acquire more sustainable materials for their clothes. In addition, the company is seeking to grow their collaborations and partnerships within the fashion industry.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£86,510
Kirk & Kirk produces a distinctive range of glasses and sunglasses, handmade in France from a particular grade of acrylic, providing a variety of colours. The company aims at earning a unique position in capitalising on a rapidly-developing market with opportunities to grow in wholesale, fashion and online sales. Till date, the company has developed its core markets in the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia. Many celebrities such as Naga Munchetty, Prue Leith, Morcheeba, Morrissey, and Sharon Stone are clients of this fashion brand. The company intent on using the investment for new retail collection, enhancements to the IT infrastructure and the recruitment of key personnel.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
Withheld
In business since 1955, a sustainable leather goods retailer that specialises in natural finish, soft touch and fashionable products. Lakeland Leather runs 15 retail stores, that are all profitable, an e-commerce website and have recently created their wholesale division.
In the 2017/18 financial year, revenue was £9.6m, of which 7% of the group's sales were from goods sold online and this figure is increasing rapidly. Funds will be used to further develop Lakeland Leather's e-commerce facilities to meet growing customer demand for high-quality leather products and become a market leader in the industry.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£112,000
The Park Brewery (TPB) is a beer manufacturer. The company raised over £300,000 in its crowdfunding campaign in 2018. It has also managed to increase its sales from 100 pubs to 200. The company's beer is distributed around the UK via eight wholesalers. It also has onboarded notable clients like The Hilton, Honest Burgers, Fullers, and many more. TPB argues that it performed well despite Covid-19. It set up an e-commerce site and sold its products Direct-to-Customers (DTC), having completed around 2,000 home deliveries and gained over 1,700 new customers in 2020 throughout the lockdown. It will use the investment to develop its marketing strategy, increase direct sales, enhance its range, create more employment, and purchase additional tank space to meet demand.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£229,999
