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
Celestial Labs is a drone display company that combines advanced technology with organic performance. The company's proprietary 'Skytheatre' display is a dynamic, safe and green alternative to carbon-intensive fireworks and represents a new frontier for the live event industry. Composed of a creative collective of award-winning filmmakers, musicians, developers, entrepreneurs, and storytellers, the company is constantly pushing the boundaries of drone display innovation, where technology meets imagination. The Human Support division of Celestial is a not-for-profit initiative that aims to lift the spirits of those who witness Celestial's displays whilst imparting crucial information. The company aims to enlist the support and guidance of city leadership partners, industrial conglomerates, and seek grant funding.
days to go:
Stretch
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
Plerith works with high growth start-ups and scaling companies to plan for and deliver growth. The company asserts that it helps companies promote their business to potential funders, through its network of angel and venture capital investors depending on the stage and sector of the said business. Plerith is partnering with Newable and Bristol Private Equity Club to deliver the fund in the South West London (SWL) area and identify and invest in the most exciting high growth companies in the region. Plerith argues that its deep knowledge of fundraising, sales, strategy, finance and technology would help SWL businesses flourish. Plerith aims to provide investors access to the highest quality local companies in the SWL region.
days to go:
Stretch
investment:
Withheld
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
Kalendit removes the middleman (agencies) and provides UK nurseries with temporary staff while helping them save up to 50% on staffing fees. Since September, over 150 users joined Kalendit, and it is continuing to add about two workers daily. This company had launched its services in November with four nurseries, and since then, have been successfully processed 49 bookings. With the funds raised, it will hire people and serve thirty nurseries in one year. By the fifth year, it wants to take 45% of the London market, which equates to 1400 nurseries.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£82,180
Crosspay is a company that aims to make remittance simpler and cheaper. The company built its proprietary system in 2017 to bolster international transfers at a fraction of the money charged by traditional Over-The-Counter (OTC) services. It has since powered over 50,000 transactions across 50 countries with a cumulative value of approx £32,350,000. The company aspires to become the segment leader in the more than $200 billion global remittance market. Crosspay was rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot. It also created white-labelled apps for charities and churches to host content, broadcast live and receive donations simultaneously, irrespective of location. The company has been invited to partner on an Innovate UK project. It will use the investment to grow its business across different verticals.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£212,581
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
