Grace & Green, a sustainable menstrual care brand, has secured £500,000 equity from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group, as part of a £1.3million funding round.
A registered B Corporation on a mission to break the cycle of period waste, Grace & Green is an award-winning, South West based challenger brand dedicated to transforming the menstrual care market with a mission revolving around its three core principles of sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Over 2.4 million period products are flushed down UK toilets every day. Having spent over a decade in the water and sanitation sector, focusing on international development, environmental management and climate change, Grace & Green founder and CEO Frances Lucraft witnessed first hand the damaging impact of period products on global water systems and the wider environment.
As well as providing its products to customers via its website and retailers, including 150 Boots stores across the UK, a key area of focus for Grace & Green is the B2B market via its Period Dignity scheme. The scheme works with hundreds of businesses and public sector organisations to help workplaces and public spaces provide freely accessible, sustainable menstrual products, as well as education and support. Grace & Green’s B2B offering is an affordable option for employers and local authorities, typically costing less per person than toilet roll or office coffee.
The funding from the South West Investment Fund will be used to support the growth of the business including the development of a new sustainable product range, international expansion and a move into the incontinence market.
Frances said: “This investment marks a hugely important milestone for Grace & Green. FSE’s belief in us, commitment to supporting our journey, and patience throughout the fundraising process has been invaluable. Only 1.8% of funding goes to women-led businesses, so support from FSE is not only fantastic, it’s vital in helping to close that gap. We’re grateful to both FSE and the South West Investment Fund for this crucial funding, which will help us bring our ground-breaking, health-led and sustainable products and period dignity education to more businesses and individuals across the globe.”
Anna Staevska, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “This innovative business, with its solid operational foundations, strong IP prospects and high sustainability credentials, demonstrates great potential for growth. The Grace & Green team have exciting plans, including strategic partnerships with key distribution chains, and we’re delighted to be supporting this female-founded and led business.”
Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager from the British Business Bank said: “Grace & Green combines a clear social mission to provide accessible and inclusive menstrual care, with a deep commitment to minimise the environmental impact of menstrual products. We’re delighted that the South West Investment Fund is able to support its next chapter of growth. Supporting women-led businesses is a priority for the British Business Bank, and investments like this are vital to helping close the funding gap and unlock the full potential of diverse founders across the South West.”
The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million.
The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.