Access to funding helped us to innovate and collaborate
Innovation at a Scottish distillery has led to the creation of the world’s first climate-positive gin, thanks to Horizon Europe funding.
I used a start up loan to sell in new international markets
Whitley Bay-based Seaweed & Co, known for its organic seaweed products, is expanding globally after gaining interest from major retailers in Europe and North America. This growth was supported by the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans scheme.
About the business
After discovering the significant nutritional benefits of seaweed, Dr Craig Rose, also known as Dr Seaweed, founded Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful to make it easy to achieve natural health and wellness. The seaweed, sustainably sourced from the coast off the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, is crafted into supplements tailored to support specific health needs such as thyroid health, menopause symptoms, immune boosts, and more.
Having the support from Start Up Loans, as a government-backed programme, gave me the confidence to believe in myself and fully make the move to become my own boss.
Dr Craig Rose
How the Start Up Loan helped them
Dr Craig Rose started the business after receiving £25,000 from the Start Up Loans scheme and Virgin StartUp. This funding allowed Seaweed & Co to stock their products in UK stores like Boots, QVC, and Holland & Barrett. They’ve also expanded to Italy and are in talks to enter Germany, Scandinavia, and the USA.
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Why funding is important for growth
Dr Craig Rose shares how crucial the Start Up Loans scheme was for his business journey:
“Having the support from Start Up Loans, as a government-backed programme, gave me the confidence to believe in myself and fully make the move to become my own boss.
“I hadn’t come from a business background, so whilst the low interest loans were brilliant, having access to the pre-and-post loan advice and guidance was crucial for me. It’s ultimately what attracted me to Start Up Loans as a lender.
“Finance is a critical component of our expansion plan, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the initial support and guidance we received through the Start Up Loans programme and Virgin StartUp.”
How support and funding helped us grow
We improved our cashflow by getting advice on finance options
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Support from my local Growth Hub was transformative
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