Staark makes cycling clothing that aims to cater to all body shapes. The company argues that current premium cycling and spin brands are cut to a single shape, optimised for the top 20% of cyclists. Staark intends to change this and bring its products to 80% of cyclists with high disposable income who are not ‘elite’ shaped. It delivers a fit based on specific body shapes using Dimensioning Technology (DT). Staark asserts that its innovative designs target cycling and indoor/spin for both men and women, with future diffusion into the wider Athleisure market, which is set to be worth $517 billion by 2025. The company has indicated that Spring 2021 is when it expects to launch its products. Staark will use the investment to enable the company to run its first productions, fueling the initial product launch.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£161,035
The Sports Edit (TSE) is one of the UK’s fastest-growing eCommerce retailers that sells activewear brands and products, as well as, produces content and events, centred around inspiring movement and mindfulness. It is among Europe’s foremost curators of premium activewear, partnering with 50+ leading brands. The company aims to become a major contender in the womenswear market, forecast to grow 7.7% per annum to $216 billion, by 2024. The company has >45,000 social media followers, a leading gym retail partnership, and seen its online revenues grow over 145% in the first five months of 2020 Year-Over-Year (YoY). For its timely response to customers' queries, TSE was validated by the Feefo Gold Service Award 2020 & garnered a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 72. The company will use the investment to widen its brand & product range, hire staff for marketing and merchandising, ensure customer acquisition & retention, and launch its deal with Nike in the third quarter of 2020.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£930,307
ioLight makes microscopes that fit in a user's pocket or inside laboratory incubators and display high-resolution images of cells on any mobile phone. The company claims that climate change is driving scientists to the most remote places on earth to look at its impact on the smallest, most fragile organisms. It also stresses that pandemics are driving bioresearch, which relies on monitoring cell growth in incubators. ioLight argues that its products address the aforementioned objectives. The company has sold 400 units to date and aspires to dominate the global microscope market that is worth $9.5 billion and growing at 7.9%. The company has raised £815,000 in equity funding since its launch in 2014 and has featured in two National Geographic videos on Mount Everest and in the BBC Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. It states it will use the investment to accelerate its company revenue and win new opportunities to expand its business.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£259,586
Callaly is the UK’s first female care B-Corp that delivers subscription-based organic cotton period products. The company has invented and patented the 'Tampliner', a combination of an organic cotton tampon with a soft mini-liner for built-in leak protection, with a clean insertion and removal, and no hard plastic applicator. It is multi-patented in 30 countries. The company has developed bespoke robotic machinery to automate production at a UK facility. In a £26 billion global femcare market, Callaly claims that its potential tampliner market would constitute 2% to 4% by 2024. The company has received rave reviews from magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Grazia. Callaly plans to begin sales in Europe in the third quarter of 2020 followed by sales in the US and Asia in 2021.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,704,460
Wild & Stone (W&S) is on a mission to make sustainable and stylish items the natural alternatives to commonly used plastics with products like bamboo toothbrushes and reusable steel razors. W&S stresses that its products carry a 30-day no-quibble returns policy, and for every order, it donates to the Marine Conservation Society. W&S argues that it has completed over 100,000 orders, grown its range to include over 85 products, and earned over £850,000 in revenue since its launch. It also points out that it is listed on major marketplaces including, Amazon, NOTHS, Wayfair, eBay, and Etsy. W&S products have been nominated for multiple Amazon choice awards. Its founder, Kathryn Jonas, was shortlisted for the 'Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year, Southeast region' at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2021. The company has featured in publications such as Vogue, The Times, Tatler, Elle, and The Independent. They state they will use the investment to increase its product range and level of inventory.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£250,460
Occuity seeks to develop revolutionary non-invasive screening and monitoring devices for chronic diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's. It argues that its device safely shines a low power beam of light into the eye and then collects and analyses the return signal to accurately measure structures within the eye and detect changes associated with the onset of the aforementioned diseases. Occuity is targeting three distinct markets, namely Ophthalmology, Disease Screening and Disease Monitoring, which is worth an estimated $35 billion per year. It claims that its 'Occuity Indigo' product enables earlier detection of diabetes and provides a non-contacting, pain-free glucose monitor. Occuity was awarded over £1.5 million as part of the Innovate UK grant for the development of technology within Occuity Indigo. It has also signed a partnership with one of the UK's leading ophthalmic distributors, Birmingham Optical, to distribute its PM1 pachymeter device. It states it will use 42% of the investment towards Research and Development (R&D), 23% towards sales and marketing, 20% towards management and finance, 9% towards managing CAPEX and NRE, and 6% towards paying fees.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£2,854,857
OXTO Energy is an energy storage technology provider that intends to transform the way energy is stored. It claims to have developed an innovative energy storage flywheel technology made using 100% recyclable steel, having a low cost of operation, and being easy to manufacture. It argues that it has secured approximately £1.7 million worth of revenues through contracts for 2021 in UK, Kenya, and France, to name a few. It also aspires to become a minority partner of large infrastructure projects by offering its units at a discounted rate, guaranteeing a consistent revenue stream while increasing profitability throughout the project. It wants to dominate the estimated £70 billion energy storage market. The company states it will use 25% of the investment to grow its team, 60% for project delivery, and 15% towards growth and commercialisation of its business.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£635,493
An apron and oven gloves combo that is all about function, as well as form. A multipurpose product fit for baking, barbecuing and cooking which won Gift of The Year 2017. After a highly successful sales event in conjunction with Costco, the business's products are now nationally available. Lobster Homeware is an ethical company and is partnered with the UK's oldest military charity, SSAFA.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£32,840
Founded in 2012, Holly and Beau is an award-winning kids-wear brand which offers a unique collection of colour changing rainwear. The company sells its products directly through its website and via distributors in the UK, the US, Europe and South Korea. Holly and Beau is in the process of patenting its technology, which will enable it to develop a unique product range of rainwear and skiwear. Moreover, the company has successfully maintained an average revenue growth of 80%-100% YOY.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£218,570
Halo Coffee (HC) makes 100% home compostable biodegradable coffee capsules. It has sold its products to more than 9,000 customers across 70 countries. The company has generated 45% of sales revenues by subscription customers having a more 40% retention rate. HC was the winner of Sky: Beyond Plastic category at the tve 2019 Global Sustainability Awards. It has also signed a partnership with The Perfect World Foundation, and onboarded noted environmentalist, Sir David Attenborough. HC is the official sponsor of the British Olympic Sailing team. The company is planning to launch Halo Coffee Germany (GmbH) in 2021. The company will use the investment to build brand awareness, further develop sales, drive customer acquisition, expand product portfolio, strengthen the team and build Capsule Generation II.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£349,160
