Carocell Bio is innovating by developing patented anti-inflammatory peptides delivered via nanoparticles to address severe inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis. Their primary peptide, JEL0305, not only halts inflammation but also prevents its initiation, as evidenced by its effectiveness in reducing inflammation in human AD biopsies and burn tissue. With AD impacting a substantial population and costing $21 billion yearly for unsafe treatments, Carocell Bio's safer peptide remedy has the potential to avert AD recurrence. Additionally, their pioneering approach to skin-related inflammation involves topical peptide products that target mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a crucial element in inflammation. This breakthrough offers promise for managing and forestalling AD and mitigating skin aging.
days to go:
Extended
investment:
Withheld
PULMOBIOMED is addressing the failings of current lung tests, which are expensive, infrequent, and invasive. Their so-called "clinically proven" solution claims to offer non-invasive liquid samples from deep within the lung, promising affordable tests for lung diseases. They assert that their product can empower clinicians to diagnose and treat conditions like lung cancer and infections, even though there's limited evidence to support these claims. With a few customers in the USA and Australia, and vague partnerships in the EU, PULMOBIOMED hopes to disrupt the asthma diagnostics market by introducing what they call a comprehensive diagnostic test for asthma, despite the skepticism around their capabilities.
days to go:
Extended
investment:
£295,000
Stroli – the shopping trolley reimagined for modern needs. The shopping trolley, often associated with a particular image, is an untapped category ready for innovation. The market is flooded with generic, budget-friendly options that lack charm, with the exception of Rolser, which is pricier and claims the green niche. Stroli steps in as the go-to brand, offering a unique approach, positioning, voice, and eco-friendly credentials. Say goodbye to sore hands and plastic bags – Stroli makes shopping a pleasure with its high-quality, stylish trolley bags designed to enhance your convenience and style
days to go:
Extended
investment:
Withheld
Optimise BP, the debut product by Optimise Health, introduces an innovative digital solution that offers secure and efficient semi-automated blood pressure management within primary care, focusing on hypertension. This advancement is projected to lead to substantial appointment savings in the range of millions.
days to go:
TBC
investment:
£127,001
Nourish is a company that makes snacks free from refined sugar, gluten, and dairy. The company's mission is to become one of the UK's most popular free-from brands. It aims to provide a range of delicious treats and snacks to consumers, athletes and those with specific dietary needs, ensuring that they possess sustained energy. The company's products are stocked by retailers including, Ocado, Wholefoods, Planet Organic, and Daylesford. Its online sales grew by 740% in April 2020. The company has featured in publications like Ooh Magazine, VeganLife, and Natural Health. It became 'Organically Certified' in 2017 and 'Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) Certified' in 2018. Nourish will soon launch its new product line in the next 12 months. The company will use the investment received to build the team, continue to raise brand awareness by investing in more price promotions in stores, and undertake geo-marketing campaigns.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£133,207
A performance running wear clothing brand that uses high-quality fabrics coupled with innovative and stylish designs. SOAR sells its products both direct-to-consumer and through major fashion retailers including Wiggle, MatchesFashion and Mr. Porter. The company is has grown 94% YoY and is now raising funds to increase its production scale and push for wide-reach marketing campaigns, as well as invest further in R&D and business operations.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£123,160
Body care products aimed at exercise enthusiasts to help relieve post-workout fatigue. Fit Kit's shower gels and moisturisers have been specifically made to aid in rejuvenating exhausted muscles, congested nasal passages and reducing redness and abrasions. The company aims to bring health benefits in convenient toiletry products used everyday.
Fit Kit is listed in over 1,000 retailers including Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods and Ocado, as well as being exported to Nordic countries. Future monetisation strategies have been planned in the form of stocking their products in gyms, as this is their main target markets and will potentially increase brand awareness.
Proceeds from this funding round will aid in increasing the product range from 5 to 10 and showcasing their products at events and venues where their target audience will tend to frequent. Funds will also be used to grow the team through key hires and expand their marketing and advertising campaigns by effective use of social media platforms.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£212,100
White Peak Distillery (WPD) is a whisky distillery that aims to change the way whisky is made and create authentic flavours. It has so far invested £1.4 million in tried and tested plant equipment producing 400,000 bottles of maturing whisky. The company aims to become a contender in the $60 billion global premium whisky market. WPD has received 'Gold Awards' from The Wizards of Whisky World Whisky Awards. It has come out with programs to monetise its maturing whisky including its Cask Sales program, Temperance Club membership and its Prologue 2.1 release 2-year aged single malt spirit, that has been received with positive feedback. WPD has also been awarded visitor business in The Peak District, which receives 13 million+ visitors per annum, boosting its Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model. It will use the investment to grow its business across different verticals.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£1,301,320
Serious Pig (SP) aims to become the UK’s number one premium savoury snack brand. The company is backed by BrewDog co-founder James Watt and aims to become a contender in the UK savoury snack market valued at £3.2 billion. SP's range consists of products like 'Snack Salami', 'Snacking Cheese', and 'Snacking Pickles'. Its most recent innovation is 'Sourdough Snacking Croutons'. It has a loyal fanbase of nearly 9,000 'Club Seriously' members. The company's sales have trebled since 2018 to £1.35 million in December 2020. SP claims that despite COVID-19 shutting down hospitality in 2020, it quickly adapted and developed significant Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) revenue, in particular with Amazon, where sales grew by 235% between the first and second half of the year, touching £187,000 between June - December 2020. The company will use the investment for sales and marketing, logistics, New Product Development (NPD), and cut plastic packaging to reduce its carbon footprint.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£648,854
Tethered Drones Systems Limited (TDS) builds and develops autonomous tethered drones for use in surveillance and communications scenarios. Its product, Tethered UAV, exhibits a flight duration of 24 hours or more with secure communication via a tether. The platform can carry a range of payloads to meet client needs. The company asserts that the product has multiple uses for broadcasters such as telecasting outdoor sporting events. The UAV's blue light services, including search and rescue, holds prominence in high-risk maintenance inspections for oil and gas platforms and wind farms – both on and offshore. The company will use the investment to grow its business across different verticals.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£73,125
