Final five heading to Vegas with BrewDog boss
The co-founder of the Scottish-based brewer and bar operator also released a short video clip showing a panel of three people, including Watt and comedian Dom Joly, talking to 18 of the finalists in the competition to find the next “billion-dollar company”.
Watt said: “We had over 750 amazing entrants and the final five are heading to Las Vegas this weekend to find out if they will ultimately get investment.
“The exact amount to be invested in each company will be revealed at the Las Vegas final, with a minimum of £100,000 set to be injected into each of the winning businesses.”
Since his initial announcement, Watt has made decisions on the exact investments each business will receive with the totals given next to the businesses below.
Amazing so far
He continued: “What makes The Next Unicorn completely unique is that anyone can invest alongside me, pound for pound, in exactly the same deals via Crowdcube.
“It has been amazing so far – so brilliant to see so many fantastic entrepreneurs and outstanding businesses.”
The finalists are:
Tallow + Ash (receiving £250,000) is a soap and cleaning product manufacturing business from Gloucestershire. The business’s bio reads: “For something we do so often, we shouldn't have to settle for boring scents, ugly bottles and toxic chemicals.
“Doing the laundry is already dreaded by most, but being on top of things can make us feel so positive about life. That's why we created Tallow + Ash. To make laundry products amazing and to make that never-ending pile something you look forward to tackling.
Basket (receiving £250,000) is a mobile app and browser extension that lets you save products from any online retailer. Its bio states: “Keep track of everything you've got your eye on and let Basket find the best prices for you. Wave goodbye to browser bookmarks, endless tabs and random lists. There's now a better way.
“Basket lets you add products from almost all online retailers, shopping apps, blogs and more. Basket automagically scans thousands of retailers for the best offers, saving you time and money.”
Uncouth (receiving £150,000) is virtual dermatology service for personalised prescription skincare, which is based in Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
Its bio reads: “For too long, skincare has been off the shelf. But your skin is utterly unique to you. That's why we've teamed up with the dermatologists – to offer you a completely different model of skincare.
“We want to give you access to virtual consultations with our skin experts so that you can get prescription grade ingredients (not just 'medical grade'- that's a nonsense marketing term!) and treatments that target your skin. Not Molly's down the road, not your mother's or Taylor Swift's. YOURS.”
Yum Bug (receiving £200,000) is a sustainable edible insect brand. In April, BrewDog said it was considering teaming up with the brand to potentially add its insect-driven foods to its bars’ menus.
Mous (receiving £150,000) is a business that makes tech kit. The business’s bio states: “We are Mous. (Pronounced mouse, not moose.) We create industry-leading tech accessories, made with a laser focus on expansion and innovation. We enhance the everyday experiences our everyday customers have with their everyday tech, every day.
“We started by designing phone cases which were ultra-protective, seriously stylish and expanded phones’ functionality by connecting to a range of modular accessories with custom magnetic arrays. Since then, our product range has expanded to include ecosystems of MagSafe compatible and mechanical accessories, wireless chargers, MacBook sleeves and so much more.
“Our products are for risk-takers and thrill-seekers as well as tech-lovers and city-dwellers. We create solutions to the problems that come from busy lives and outlandish adventures. These aren’t just tools or utilities, they’re crafted to enable and elevate your real life; not simply making your life easier, but actively making it better.”
