British Design Fund

The British Design Fund supports enterprise and innovation in the UK by investing in, and supporting, early stage, well designed, product businesses. The Fund works with extraordinary entrepreneurs with scalable products who are ready to accelerate growth and build long term value and thriving stand-out businesses.

The Fund only works with British companies that have designed physical product, to address a clear user need, solving real problems.

Investment focus

Currently there are few funding mechanisms specifically dedicated to early stage product businesses. The British Design Fund believes that these early stage product businesses need not just capital but also mentoring and expertise along the way to ensure they grow into successful companies.

The British Design Fund seeks to work with extraordinary entrepreneurs, with innovative and scalable products, who are ready to accelerate growth and build long term value and thriving stand-out businesses.

Along with the cash investment, which is made in exchange for an equity stake in the business, the British Design Fund can also provide support and mentoring across key areas such as sales, marketing, international distribution, IP, legal, licensing and contracts, financial planning, stock control, design management and manufacturing.

Key team members

Damon Bonser - CEO

Damon is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years’ experience of building and running product design and manufacturing businesses. Damon knows how to bootstrap start-up product businesses and how to launch brands into global marketplaces.

John Mathers - Design Director

Former CEO of the Design Council with forty years’ experience in the brand and design industry, across retail, FMCG, and consultancy. John knows what it takes for a brand to establish itself internationally, and the challenges faced getting there.

David Kremer - Director

David has over 25 years ‘experience running Seven Towns, a multi-million toy and game business, and is the co-founder of Rubik’s Brand Limited. David knows how to scale a product business whether through the licencing model or manufacturing and wholesaler model.

David Motum – Director

Over 30 years David has built up two businesses within the financial publishing and media sector, namely; MSM International Ltd and MSM Media Ltd. David understands how to drive sales and marketing teams whilst having a strong grasp of cash flow management and financial diligence.

Jonathan Silverman - Legal Director

Co-founder of city law firm Silverman Sherliker with over 35 years’ experience of advising start-ups to listed companies with a specialism in alternative investments and the creative sector. Jonathan has a deep understanding of IP and the realities of protecting this valuable asset.

The fund is also supported by a team of multi-disciplined design and product mentors drawn from a wide range of sectors. They include; Iain Ellwood (Growth Strategist), Dr Roger Burt, (IP), Colum Lowe (Transformational Design), and Jon Bennett (Supply Chain).

Additional Information

Website	https://britishdesignfund.co.uk/
Services Provided	Business Advisors and Mentoring
Investment Stage	Seed, Start-Up, Early Stage VC
Investment Opportunities	Yes
Regions Covered	National, Isle of Man
Investment Range	£150k - £250k
Sectors Considered	Business Products and Services, Consumer and e-commerce, Consumer Technology, Fashion and Design, Internet of Things, Materials and Manufacturing, Retail, Social Impact
No. of opportunities selected each year	12
Company Initial Fee	N/A
Company Success Fee	5% of funding secured

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