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
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
Oxford Nanoimaging (ONI) is an offshoot company, born from the biological physics lab at Oxford University, that specialises in super-resolution microscopy. Its innovation, Nanoimager, is a super-resolution fluorescence and portable microscope that is capable of real-time 3D localization analysis and rendering. It has multiple applications in a variety of fields such as viral particle imaging, quantitative cellular imaging, epigenetic mapping, and many more. ONI states that the Nanoimager can align and analyse samples, and then upload the results onto a computer for deeper graphical and data examination. ONI is also supporting the global effort into research and diagnostics to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and finds the Nanoimager uniquely suited to this task. The company plans to use the investment to grow its business and ensure more institutions and researchers adopt its technology.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
Withheld
Infabode is a platform that aims to update users with news on the real estate industry information around the globe. It has over 40,000 users and 900 content partners on its portal. The company aims to benefit users by being the most accurate portal for real estate data in the world, and content providers by increasing the reach of their insights and brand. In 2020, Infabode partnered with real estate portal, Cherre, for continued expansion into the US. The company also raised £250,000 from existing and new investors, matched by the Government's future fund, in July 2020. Infabode was shortlisted for EG's Real Estate Digital Outstanding Achievement Award. The company will use the investment to get the business to breakeven by Q2 2021. It will also explore a larger Series A funding and/or a corporate sale, both of which were being considered, pre-COVID-19.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£291,000
Kirk & Kirk produces a distinctive range of glasses and sunglasses, handmade in France from a particular grade of acrylic, providing a variety of colours. The company aims at earning a unique position in capitalising on a rapidly-developing market with opportunities to grow in wholesale, fashion and online sales. Till date, the company has developed its core markets in the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia. Many celebrities such as Naga Munchetty, Prue Leith, Morcheeba, Morrissey, and Sharon Stone are clients of this fashion brand. The company intent on using the investment for new retail collection, enhancements to the IT infrastructure and the recruitment of key personnel.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
Withheld
VINEX is a digital Business-To-business (B2B) trading platform that connects buyers and sellers to source, sample, negotiate and execute contracts related to wine. The company has traded more than 115 million bottles of wine across 26 countries since 2016. It has also witnessed 3,200 monthly visitors on its platform with an average of 80 million litres of wine traded each month, from 16 countries. The company recently launched VINPay, an industry-first financial technology service customised for the wine industry, providing wineries with guaranteed payment and increased access to capital liquidity. VINEX argues that VINPay attracts wineries with earlier access to cash and empowers buyers to buy better, with up to 150 days to pay. The company aims to become a contender in the wholesale wine market that is set to exceed US$381 billion in 2021. VINEX will use the investment to help wineries invest and flourish.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£114,218
Compared to modern paper currency, which tends to devalue over time, gold has always maintained its significance and purchasing power. The Glint smartphone app, in partnership with MasterCard, allows customers to buy and sell gold in real-time for a 0.5% fee into multiple currencies such as USD and EUR. The company has attracted more than 1500 customers in its beta phase and is now seeking investment to expand worldwide. The gold is located in Switzerland in Brink's secure vault.
days to go:
Expired
investment:
£2,166,290
