INSPHERE uses image sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to guide and correct robot positioning during the manufacturing process, ensuring right-first-time production. The company argues that industrial robots are not completely accurate and can experience unplanned downtime that can cost up to £10,000 per minute. INSPHERE asserts that its solution allows factory operators to operate safely with less downtime, and with multiple robot and human operators. The company has developed three products since 2013 which have received recognition in the aerospace and industrial automation sectors. INSPHERE is now launching IONA, a network of sensors that can be permanently deployed in a manufacturing environment to monitor and control industrial robots. IONA, the company points out, uses both hardware and software to correct errors taking into account the robot and its relationship to the workpiece. INSPHERE will use the investment to diversify the reach of IONA across markets.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,149,999
Carnot is developing hydrogen engines with key components manufactured from ceramics able to withstand fuel combustion temperatures, eliminating the need for cooling systems and doubling the efficiencies of modern engines. The company argues that modern engines waste on average one-third of fuel energy to cool systems that stop metallic components from melting. Carnot claims that its engines eliminate this waste doubling efficiency, halve fuel costs and CO2 and achieve net-zero operation by operating on biofuels and hydrogen benefiting the long haul transport, marine and primary off-grid power markets. Carnot has raised over £600,000 including a pre-seed round in 2020 for £357,000 at a pre-money valuation of £2 million, a £300,000 Innovate UK grant and another £300,000 Eureka Eurostar’s grant. Carnot has a 5-year, 3-phase exit strategy and will begin licensing its IP at the end of 2023 at which point it will begin generating revenue. It will eventually look for acquisition from one of its manufacturing partners in 2025 after demonstrating industry acceptance of its technology.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£262,500
An ethical café and bar combination with an all-day breakfast and lunch menu. The Breakfast Club has 11 locations across London, Brighton and Oxford, with a combined turnover of £15.2m. Revenues have grown by 91% from 2014 to 2018 and they have an annual site EBITDA over £2m, as well as generating a net profit of £502k. Almost 65% of their customer traffic is derived from lunch and dinner times of the day.
The Breakfast Club has won numerous awards, including 'London Bar of the Year' and 'Growth Company of the Year 2016' at the Retailers Retail Awards. The company has also been listed on The Times 100's 'Best Places to Work', as well as being recognised as one of the ‘Best Employers in Hospitality’. The London Stock Exchange has listed the business as one of the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£534,630
In My Kitchen is a platform that aims to bring together a network of professional and semi-professional chefs to sell their signature dishes and recipes online. The platform was founded in July 2020. In My Kitchen asserts that its business model holds precedence in a time where takeaways have grown in popularity in the UK because of COVID-19. It gives many chefs who have become unemployed or have fewer shifts for developing their creativity and skills whilst allowing them to earn through the gig-economy. The company has a network of more than 70 chefs across London, with backgrounds across a range of cuisines. With the investment received, the company will develop its team and company infrastructure.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
Withheld
Nix & Kix, a female-founded brand established in 2017, aims to redefine refreshment by offering healthy, flavorful soft drinks. With real fruit and botanicals, no added sugar, and stocked in major retailers like Tesco, Waitrose, and Co-Op, we've sold over 10 million products, providing a unique and refreshing alternative to traditional sodas.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£383,651
A grocery delivery service for customers to purchase goods from local stores via an app. Grocemania launched in August 2017 and has signed more than 20 local and independent stores and gained over 350 users. Income is generated from a flat delivery fee of £2.50, as well as a 10% Commission Fee from its partners. The company has generated more than £27,000 in online sales for local stores in the past 3 months.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£76,557
Butterware provide online ordering websites for the lunch to-go market. The Butterware system allows customers to order exactly what food they want in advance and receive it in their lunch break. This removes the hassle of visiting a café or sandwich shop during your lunch break.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£15,125
Mindful Chef was designed to make healthy eating easy. They do this by sending out pre-portioned organic produce, wholegrains and spices with simple and easy to follow recipe cards for customer to cook up at home in under 30 minutes.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,020,563
Sol-Gel Materials and Application (SGMA) is a sustainable technology company that is using its new sol-gels to create sustainable solutions to plastic environmental waste. The company has researched and developed a non-plastic, non-toxic coating for products, from food packaging to electronics, that is water and oil resistant yet recyclable. Its product is the world’s only biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable (BCR) solution. The company's founder and CEO, Dr Fanya Ismail, has won the award 'Women in Innovation 2019' by Innovate UK and the company's work has been covered by BBC South East Today. The company plans to function as an IP management company, sub-contract manufacturing to chemical firms moving from bulk to advanced materials, and outsource distribution to partners, whose packaging customers serve brand owners.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£611,040
'Revolution Race Cars' is the brainchild of a team of British designers, engineers, and industry specialists. The company has produced an all-new race car: Revolution A-One that challenges not only the status quo but also changes the postcode. The car is created after eighteen months of R&D, rigorous selection, and 4,000 miles of extreme testing of Revolution's suppliers and partners. The official production of Revolution A-One started in May 2019, and its sales have already been recorded in three countries. With the proceeds, the company will optimise its production cycle for future expansion.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£392,220
