The Funky Appliance Company has said it got off to a flying start in its latest crowdfunding campaign for its ninth round of investment in six years.
The company was initially looking to raise £400,000 to fund the push to going international in the USA in Q1 2024, and when the campaign was sent live to the public on 28 June the total raised stood at £321,038, which is 80.3 per cent of the target.
Joe Sillett, Co-Founder and CEO The Funky Appliance Company, commented: “We know we have a brilliant story to tell, with a range that sets itself apart through design, quality and product longevity, as well as a proven track record in the UK. We were blown away by the response to our booth in Chicago at this year’s trade event The Inspired Home Show in March. The US market just loved our brand and products and we are really excited to hopefully launch there in Q1, 2024.”
The company used the Seedrs platform once again to host this latest round of crowdfunding, having successfully completed all previous eight rounds in recent years.
Mr Sillett added: “We have had some really interesting conversations with investors in this round, including those who have invested six-figure sums. This capital will be used in product development and tooling, it will enable one of our Board Members to go full-time as Global Sales Director and will be used to help us launch in the USA.”
Funky at the Inspired Home Show Chicago, Peter Groom and Joe Sillett
Announcing that a debut Funky Air Fryer will launch in September this year, Mr Sillett spoke about the rapid growth The Funky Appliance Company has experienced in recent years, with he and his wife Sadie being the driving force.
After searching for a ‘funky’ ironing board cover back in 2016, the pair spotted a gap in the market for a ‘funky’ iron.
“We had used many different irons over the years but were always disappointed by their performance,” explained Mr Sillett. “When we realised there wasn’t a product out there that would not only look great and fit a real modern aesthetic but would do what an iron should do – iron clothes and fabrics fantastically well – we knew we had to get to work designing one.”
The launch of the Funky Iron was followed by the Funky Kettle and Funky Toaster, which have both gone on to win several prestigious titles and awards, including at the ERT Awards.
