British Design Fund 4 now open for applications

British Design Fund (BDF) is an early-stage investment fund that supports innovative, purpose-driven, British product businesses. Following the close of its latest fund, Fund 4, applications are now being encouraged from entrepreneurs and founders who are seeking investment to help scale their businesses.

As well as financial backing, BDF offers investee companies ongoing mentoring and support, provided by an expert team experienced in all areas of product design and commercialisation.

Damon Bonser, CEO, British Design Fund, explains: “The Fund is passionate about driving enterprise and innovation in the UK by investing in, and supporting, early stage, purpose-led, product businesses. It works with extraordinary entrepreneurs to scale their products, accelerate growth and build long term value.”

He continued: “If you have a purpose-led product start-up business, have user tested your proposition and have a prototype that you can demonstrate to us, then head over to the application page, where you can view the full criteria and submit your interest.”

The British Design Fund has to date raised £3m and invested in 17 start-up enterprises, across a diverse range of sectors and industries. Current investees include:

• Matter – who are developing technology designed to reduce the amount of microplastics entering the ocean
• Koalaa – a London-based start-up that has produced the world’s first soft prosthetic, with the aim of increasingly accessibility and comfort for users.
• Peequal – the world’s first female urinals, created from sea plastics and sugar cane biopolymer and designed to reduce queuing times and germ transfer
• Hausbots – wall climbing robots that have been created to perform tasks at height, such as clearing graffiti, while taking away the danger of falls

For more information and to apply, visit www.britishdesignfund.co.uk/apply