Published: November 11, 2024 | Updated: 11th November 2024
Dorset Business Angels (DBA) will hold their latest pitch event in Bournemouth this November, hosting five fledgling ventures seeking investment.
The businesses represent innovations in travel technology, sustainable confectionery, rainwear, maritime recruitment and affordable housing.
First up is a travel platform looking to ‘transform how holiday experiences are booked and customised’.
The platform allows clients to select, tailor and book experiential holidays entirely online, reducing what’s usually a weeks-long process down to just 30 minutes.
It currently hosts 143 bookable trips across 40 countries.
The founders are now seeking £250,000 to integrate AI and machine learning into the product ready to launch for both the UK and US markets.
Next is a British manufacturer bringing sustainable treats to the children’s confectionary market.
Since its launch in 2018, the company has earned 38 international awards for its plant-based organic milk chocolate products, which feature a third less sugar than conventional alternatives and come with plastic-free educational toys.
With current sales of around £500,000 and major retail partnerships on the horizon, including three national UK outlets and two European retailers, the company is seeking £1 million to fuel its expansion.
Another pitch comes from a business which has reimagined the humble umbrella with an innovative waterproof case-handle design.
With 1,900 units sold across 46 countries, the team are asking for £500,000 to launch their second-generation product in the UK backed by national advertising.
Joining them at the event is a social platform which connects qualified crew members with available vacancies in the maritime and aviation industries.
The mobile app removes traditional barriers like hidden fees and lengthy enrolment processes, streamlining the recruitment process for both employers and jobseekers.
As the business looks into potential strategic partnerships with the MoD and RNLI, its founders are seeking £500,000 to complete development, conduct trials and launch to market.
The final pitch is for a shared ownership platform to make housing more affordable and accessible.
With first-time buyers facing average deposits of £50,000 and around six million elderly homeowners looking to downsize, the platform offers tech-powered transactions and standardised shared ownership leases.
The company is looking to raise £5 million in order to hit its target of 100 transactions in 2025, with potential to scale up significantly in the future.
Peter Eales, managing director of Dorset Business Angels, said: “Our November pitch event showcases an exceptional range of innovations addressing significant market opportunities.
“From transforming the travel industry to tackling the housing crisis, these companies represent the kind of forward-thinking ventures that can deliver both financial returns and positive social impact.”
Dorset Business Angels is inviting high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors to come along to the event at the Bournemouth Carlton Hotel on 25 November.
