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
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
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
Drop Bear Beer Co. aims in disrupting and exciting the alcohol-free beer market. It is the only female-run alcohol-free craft beer company. Drop Bear Beer Co.'s May 2019 launch was a success as it experienced sales of 3000 units in one month. The company is a winner of the Wales Start-Up of the Year Awards 2019. With the proceeds, Drop Bear Beer Co. will finalise core range within 12 months, scale-up production, make range available in cans, and arrange a large brand-building campaign.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£172,570
GIBIE combines ancient Indian dying methods with modern weaving technologies to produce sustainable and luxurious homewares. The company argues that the textile industry uses an astonishing 9 trillion gallons of water annually, as well as, releases harmful gases and chemicals in the air and water. GIBIE aims to change this scenario by bringing forth sustainable linen that has superior qualities to chemically enhanced and dyed linen. It has come out with an industrial-scale production proposal of its linen. The company is a PETA-approved vegan brand and a member of the Color Ashram Foundation that promotes the usage of herbal dyes around the world. GIBIE will use the investment to launch its essential sales programs, boost marketing initiatives and scale production.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£158,571
The Vurger Co aim to revolutionise the fast food industry with their 100% plant based burgers. They have run a number of successful pop up shops and are now looking to bring the plant based revolution to London with their first restaurant.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£299,760
Aardvark is a company that manufactures dry kibbles for dogs and cats using insects as the source of protein. It has partnered with VC backed insect farm NextProtein. The company claims that its products meet the nutritional needs of pets while creating a smaller environmental footprint than pet food that uses animal meat. It also asserts that insect protein is endorsed by the British Veterinary Association. The company has developed its kibbles to be grain-free, consist of seaweed and other natural ingredients with no fillers. The UK pet food market is poised to grow to £2.9 billion in 2020, and the company aims to be a sustainable manufacturer in this segment. The company requires investment to assist in manufacturing its first batch of pet food, help market its products to pet owners across the UK, and expand into Europe by 2021 and the U.S by 2024.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£300,290
Comesto is a peer to peer web and app based service that enables professional food buyers to purchase directly from suppliers. They are a membership funded trading platform. The platform gives their members access to the whole market eliminating single brochures. Comesto offers industry buyers a complete purchasing, invoicing and scheduling management service and for suppliers their aim is to provide a simple cost effective way to increase sales.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£34,970
The UK's first authentic iced milk tea / brewed chai, combining the speciality of flavoured teas with the status of milk tea. Tuk Tuk Chai launched in 2017 with products available at 110 Sainsbury’s stores and Harvey Nichols. The firm has won multiple awards including 'Most Innovative Product' at the Lunch! 2017 trade show and were finalists for 2017 Virgin Foodpreneur. In 2018, Peter Jones of Dragon's Den made an investment offer towards the company.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£275,920
