Open Energy Labs is an education technology company that teaches students in Africa how to build and maintain renewable electricity supplies. The company is developing an educational application along with a hardware kit that facilitates the 'learning by making' approach. This teaches students electronics, enabling them to build a renewable electricity supply, and provide reliable power for lighting and mobile-phone charging. The company's current technology setup is being utilised by Zambia’s two top technical colleges, and it has Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) under discussion with the nation's Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Energy to roll the programme out to a further 3,000 students. Open Energy Labs has received more than £184,000 from Innovate UK through the Global Challenges Research Fund. It has previously raised £67,000 from backers such as Bethnal Green Ventures and Energy4Impact. The company will use the investment to develop its technology and roll its programme across Zambia.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£119,835
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
PANTSANDSOCKS.COM is an online retailer and subscription service that helps men buy branded underwear and socks. They state their mission is to be a convenient, one-stop-shop for top brands in the market. PANTSANDSOCKS.COM argues that it is an ‘Authorised Stockist’ of 16+ leading brands including Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. The company claims to have fulfilled over 2,000 orders, welcomed over 100,000 unique website visitors to its site, achieved a 4.6/5, ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating, and signed up over 4,000 people to its database. The company has integrated with Amazon and Google Shopping to provide additional revenue streams. They state they will use the investment to achieve 100,000 unique visitors per month by the end of Q3 2021, meet its business targets, and continue to develop its internal capabilities at a sustainable rate.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£205,504
SL'M is the world's first zero sugar, zero carb, zero fat range of wines which is approved by both the TSO and FSA. During COVID-19, the company witnessed record earnings, amidst profitable online sales in March 2020. The company has also been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, The Sun, and many more. Slim Wine's audience comprises Gen X, Millennials, and Boomers, giving the company a great cross-generational position in the market. The company has served over 2 million glasses of wine and generated profits of over £1 million amidst a growing customer base. Slim Wine's latest vintage, Cuvée 450, was showcased at the 'Royal Berkshire Polo Club'. The company will use the investment to boost sales and marketing, advertising campaigns, and wine production.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£262,948
Charm is a peer-to-peer impact investment platform that allows a user to use his/her investments to drive positive change in the world while earning a financial return. Morgan Stanley estimates that 85% of people are interested in sustainable investing. Charm enables individuals to fund projects led by high-impact entrepreneurs selling clean energy solutions in developing economies. Users can view their investments on the company's transparent, personalised impact investment dashboard, as well as, earn social, environmental and financial bottom line returns for their contributions. The company secured a £496,000 grant funding to develop its platform, refine its offering & provide growth capital. It is in the process of becoming an appointed representative of a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorised entity post this funding round. It will use the investment to expand its team, develop its platform, and raise brand awareness.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£273,720
Zone V makes the latest tablets and smartphones work for the older generation with low eyesight, deficient hearing or dexterity. The company has redefined a global platform that is providing access to the services that are difficult to use. They have a technological partnership with Samsung and are a Samsung Managed Solutions Partner. The company also creates inclusively accessible technology, services, and applications for more smoother and viable communication. The executive team of this company includes health, telecoms, and wellness fields. With the proceeds, Zone V will widen the digital divide for the older smartphones users by working tirelessly to build new innovative communication solutions.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£500,000
Comino is an international start-up specialising in the design and production of liquid-cooled PCs and servers. It claims that its products consume up to 40% less electricity than equivalent air-cooling computers. The company currently operates in AI, Forensic, Gaming, and Video Rendering, with aspirations to enter other domains in the coming years. Comino has sold 2,000 work stations to professional businesses, accruing sales north of 9 million EUR since its launch in 2017. Its products have been accredited by global hardware giants like AMD and ASUS. The company will use 70% of proceeds for manufacturing its devices, 10% towards marketing and promotional materials, and 20% to compensate its teams.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£949,608
The Pension Lab offers an interative platform for employees and individuals, helping them reconnect and engage with their pensions. Its mission is to provide the customers with better knowledge of pensions and promote long-term financial decision making. The company has reached the finals of 'Pitchfest' competition held at the NEC as a component of “Venturefest”, and it is also a finalist in the “Innovation in Business” category. Some of the best Fintech solutions providers and pension services such as Yodlee and Origo are in partnership with the Pension Lab. With the proceeds, the company will develop its working capital, infrastructure development, and customer acquisition.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£38,024
Solent Automation specialises in developing, deploying and supporting automation robots to perform and tackle common manual labour-intensive tasks in factories. To solve the 'pick-and-place' challenges in an industrial setup, these robots are created with proven reliable components coupled with proprietary software to solve 'pick-and-place' challenges in an industrial environment. Two of the company's noteworthy products are 'SOLPAL 8' and 'SOLPACK 1XP, both are equipped with an all-in-one gripping tool, and can handle 16 boxes per minute and 60 packs per minute, respectively. Backed by a team of experts from manufacturing and robotics, Solent Automation provides on-site installation, training, and remote support for its products. There is also a rent-to-buy option through a 3rd party finance company. With the investment, the company aims at providing more robotic equipment most needed in factories focused on labour-intensive work functions.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£76,000
33Fuel is a natural sports nutrition brand that aims to dominate sports nutrition with healthier and natural alternatives. Its products consist of ingredients like organic flaxseeds, Tibetan goji berries, organic walnuts, and raw coconuts, to name a few. The company has received over 10,000 orders and multiple 5-star customer reviews. It has 12,000 email subscribers and a podcast with more than 65,000 plays. The company wants to dominate the sports nutrition market that is forecast to reach almost £2 billion by 2024. 33Fuel has attracted superstar shareholders including 4x Ironman Triathlon World Champion Chrissie Wellington and customers such as Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins. The company has won 'Health Product of the Year' and 'Best Meal Replacement' and has featured in fitness and mainstream media such as The Telegraph, Independent, and Men's Fitness. It will use the investment for marketing to accelerate sales.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£367,124
