For the first in a regular Business Advice series, we take a look at the startup companies which exceeded their fundraising targets in June 2018.
As a vital conduit for small business finance, crowdfunding is generating more investment for promising startups than ever. For the first quarter of 2018, Crowdcube alone funded 49 businesses, passing a £400m milestone in the process.
Technology is also playing its part. In the same three months, almost a third of investments made were through the platform’s iOS and Android apps, demonstrating that the crowd is keen to invest on the move.
Here are the companies which surpassed their fundraising targets last month on some of the leading crowdfunding platforms.
dabbl
The dabbl app enables you to invest in brands and companies you love, bringing investing to everyone. dabbl is like Shazam for investing. You take a picture of the product or brand that you love, then you can buy shares in the company that owns it.
Platform: Seedrs
Investment target:£350,003
Equity offered: 3.38%
Raised: £590,150
Overfunded: 169%
Founder’s comment: “We are delighted by the response so many investors of all sizes have given this project. To have overfunded so quickly is especially reassuring, underlining both the conservative valuation we have applied to the business and also the fact investors appreciate supporting a product that already has clients on board placing transactions.” (Mark Ackred, co-founder)
Qured
Qured is an on-demand health technology platform which provides affordable at-home healthcare at our patients’ convenience. Qured aims to democratise private care, becoming the go-to platform for both patients and practitioners. After a successful launch in London, Qured is preparing a UK roll-out.
Platform: Crowdcube
Investment target:£500,000
Equity offered: 6.93%
Raised: £521,110
Overfunded: 104%
Founder’s comment: “Like every great idea ours started with a pressing problem, like many new problems we found that getting GP appointments is time-consuming and frustrating. We realised we were not alone in our need for immediate but affordable healthcare especially available out of hours to fit around busy lives. So we created Qured, a doctor delivered to your door with the reassurance that only a face to face appointment can provide.” (Charlie Harington, co-founder)
Plum
Plum is a personal money assistant that uses AI to manage your money the way you should but can’t be bothered to. Connect your bank account to Plum via open banking, and we then they use the data to make the most out of your money across three pillars of financial well-being.
Platform: Seedrs
Investment target: £850,004
Investment for: To grow their user base to 500,000, double their tech team, launch IOS and Android apps and expand to more European countries.
Equity offered: 9.59%
Raised: £967,219
Overfunded: 114%
Founder’s comment: “We can imagine a future when you have your bank account connected to Plum, chatting to Plum about a new loan you want to get or a new mortgage. Plum gives you feedback which is informed by your transactional history, so it intimately knows you better than anyone else does. It can give you the best advice for your specific needs, and that is the future we are building towards.” (Victor Trokoudes, co-founder)
Polysolar
Polysolar is a Cambridge cleantech company who make windows that generate electricity. Polysolar aims to lead the way with transparent photovoltaic glass that forms the fabric of the building. Their vision is to turn buildings into power stations, with windows that generate clean renewable energy.
Platform: Crowdcube
Investment target: £750,000
Equity offered: 12.59%
Investment for: To accelerate the commercialisation of the business.
Raised: £1,288,870
Overfunded: 171%
Founder’s comment: “We strongly feel that everyone should have the opportunity to invest in the future of energy generation and saving our planet. It has taken time, effort, investment and expertise to get to make windows that generates power.” (Hamish Watson, co-founder)
SwipeStation
SwipeStation enables sports fans to order drinks and food from the terraces – even without an internet connection. SwipeStation is a click and collect service that is proven to increase sales and shorten queues at stadiums and other large venues.
Platform: Seedrs
Investment target:£300,001
Equity offered: 10.04%
Raised: £491,655
Overfunded: 164%
Founder’s comment: “We’d invested a huge amount of money, sweat and tears getting SwipeStation to a stage where we were ready to seek investment. I’ve put heart and soul into this business and it’s a huge vote of confidence that people share the vision and are willing to invest a considerable amount of cash into helping make that vision a reality.” (Syd Nadim, CEO)
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