Stark is a blockchain connected software application that allows businesses to accept digital currencies peer-to-peer via online and instore routes. The application supports same-day settlements supporting 30 international currencies and endeavours to make acquiring a 'Merchant Acquiring Account' (MAA) an effortless task for business owners and entrepreneurs. Payment companies, gateways and financial technology providers can integrate with Stark to offer new solutions to their business clients. Stark's goal is to build a team that is passionate about technology and helping businesses succeed. The company will use the investment to enter the market with an effective sales-focused marketing campaign.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£182,366
CrowdToLive is a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated financial technology company that seeks to revolutionise residential property financing and investment. It claims that 4 out of 10 young homeowners in the UK have had their mortgage applications rejected. CrowdToLive intends to change this by facilitating a circular flow of finance between buy to let investors and the homebuyers. It argues that its platform allows buyers to own their homes without incurring debt and lets investors reap the rewards of the housing market without the hassle of tenant management. The company claims it has built a community of over 7,000 users, submitted over 2,600 properties for a value of circa GBP 600 million, and is a part of accelerator programmes such as Virgin Start-Up Accelerator Programme and Barclays Eagle Lab Accelerator Programme. CrowdToLive intends to use 10% of the investment to support international expansion, 15% towards business development, 40% towards hiring key personnel, 25% towards upgrading its IT infrastructure, and 10% towards marketing.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£339,744
Actve is on a mission to build a platform that caters to the new wave of instructors, social media influencers and athletes becoming online content creators. The company aspires to help creators earn an income and build a subscription business. Actve asserts that it caters to a variety of creator needs allowing them to live-stream their workouts, offer guided programs to customers, or use Actve's software to manage their clients. The company aims to become a contender in the digital fitness market that is projected to be worth £21 billion by 2022. It aims to launch its platform in September 2021. Actve will use the investment to develop its platform, hire key staff, build its user base, and work towards becoming an industry champion for fitness creators.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£166,670
Rescape is a company pioneering the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in healthcare and frontline services. Its DR.VR platform, launched in 2019, helped reduce pain and anxiety amongst patients in hospitals and care homes. The company delivers VR content to patients through the Samsung Gear VR headset, a hard-plastic headset, that can be wiped down and disinfected along with VR sanitary eye masks that reduce chances of infection and irritation to patients. Through the company's technology, patients can experience ocean life, amusements parks and relax in some of the most beautiful settings in the world, all from the safety of the healthcare institution. The AR/VR in Healthcare Market is predicted to reach USD 30-40 billion by 2026, and Rescape aims to be a disruptor in this segment. The company will use the investment to grow its business across different verticals.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£488,450
Carverter is a technology platform that enables customers to find and lease a hybrid or Electric Vehicle (EV). The company cites data pointing out the UK government's ban on the sale of petrol and diesel only cars after 2030. It also argues about changing car preferences, with 78% of consumers considering leasing to access an EV. Carverter aims to capture this audience and grow its business. The company uses its algorithm to bring together over 32 million data points across its three tools, namely Carvert, Carwizard, and Browse, to help users find their choice of hybrid/EV. Carverter has partnered with renowned entities like WPP, Arval, Microsoft & ITV to boost its business. It will use 10% of the investment on hiring staff, 20% towards rolling out its services across 22 European countries via Arval, and 70% on an advertising multiplier deal with the UK's largest commercial broadcaster, ITV, and WPP.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£2,324,693
Thyngs is a touch-free instant payment platform for businesses and charities. It has around 20 active re-seller partners for new sectors and markets. The company is working with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as part of its raise programme and actively engaging with several Series A Venture Capitalist (VC) funds intending to raise £4-5 million in late 2021 to scale its business. Thyngs aggregates various payment partners including PayPal, Worldpay, Apple Pay and Google Pay. The company was the cashless donation platform for 210,000 fundraising events for Macmillan's 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning', which raised £27 million in 2019. Many reputed organisations such as Warner Bros, Royal British Legion, Wasabi, National Geographic, and ANZ Bank are working with Thyngs. The company will use the investment to enhance its marketing campaign, bolster its sales team, work on data security and integrations on its platform, and expand the account management team to boost its business.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£329,591
Not In The Guidebooks (NITG) is a travel agency that believes in making tourism sustainable and enjoyable for travellers and local communities. NITG has raised a £250,000 seed funding to build its platform and connect with local partners. It's contracted agent partners include British Airways, Mid counties Co-Op, Spear Travel, and Intele Travel, amongst others. The company is set up as a global collective, ensuring 10% of its profits go to its local partners. NITG has also acquired and integrated Go Learn To, an experiential holiday provider focusing on immersive learning experiences. The company will use the investment to build a team to create content, secure new partnerships, build consumer brand awareness with a strong social media presence, and develop technology with geolocation and live availability to enliven trip itineraries.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£128,899
Planks is a British clothing brand that creates eco-conscious outerwear for skiers. The company is an omni-channel brand that sells Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) via planksclothing.com, through its Val d’Isère store and other retailers. Planks uses 'Bluesign' approved fabrics and incorporates 'REPREVE' recycled yarns into 68% of its products having recycled 1.5 million waste plastic bottles, in the process, so far. The company had a turnover of £1.85 million between May - June 2020. Planks has a growing community of 27,000+ customers that are a part of its Grassroots Tour initiative. Planks's loyalty platform, 'The FUSS', allows the brand's best customers to complete missions, create content and become brand advocates. The company will use the investment to continue international D2C expansion by improving customer experience in target markets via website localisation and digital marketing and sustain Business-to-Business (B2B) growth via digital wholesale accounts and integrated marketplaces.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£847,154
Nuw is a clothes-sharing app and community that aims to empower people to reduce the environmental impact of fashion on the planet. It grew from a community trial at Trinity College, Dublin to an app that is available nationwide across Ireland and the UK. Till date, the company has over 3800 registered users. Nuw has developed a bespoke impact calculator with the London Waste and Recycling Board to accurately measure the carbon, waste and water offset of each share on the app. This information is shared with Nuw members so they understand the positive environmental impact they create by sharing and swapping on Nuw. It has also developed partnerships with UPS and Parcel Motel to offer users a contactless, affordable and convenient delivery option. The company will use 66% of the investment for team salaries, 24% for marketing, 8% for overheads, and 2% for monthly subscriptions.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£131,219
Qardus is an ethical and Sharia-compliant financing platform for social impact Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and investors. Qardus asserts that the 3.8 million Muslim community in the UK, and 25 million in Europe, is massively underserved when it comes to accessing interest-free (Sharia-compliant) structures. It intends to change this. Qardus offers up to £200,000 in innovative interest-free business financing to eligible SMEs for tenors of up to 24 months and is Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved. Qardus points out that it has provided over £250,000 in financing to some high social impact SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained a 100% track record with a 0% default rate to date, and featured in media entities like Sifted, Islamic Finance News, Peer-to-Peer Finance News, and Fintech Futures amongst others. It will use 30% of the investment on marketing costs for acquiring SMEs and investors on its platform, 60% on growing its team, and 10% on obtaining additional licenses to expand its services.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£313,009
