Member Article

African entrepreneur’s Hartlepool hot sauce business heats up with new investment

Hartlepool-based Kilimandjaro Foods has received a five figure investment to support its recent growth as a hot sauce manufacturer.

Company owner Apollo Ovedraogo had the idea for the product when he came to the UK and missed the sauce his mother used to make him at home in Africa. Realising that a gap existed in the market for African hot sauce, Apollo decided to make his own.

Adapted from his family recipe, and complemented with herbs and spices from Africa and the Caribbean, creator Apollo describes the product as ‘one sauce for one million dishes’. Initially selling it in small bottles, the entrepreneur is now supplying litre bottles to meet increased demand.

Passionate about his heritage, Apollo decided to give this special sauce a traditional African name. He was born in Burkina Faso, where his mother would make a spiced chilli sauce similar to Kilimandjaro, and Apollo would have it with every meal he ate. His goal is to build a brand well known for its consistent quality and unique blend of spices.

Kilimandjaro has recently distributed his hot sauce nationally, and aims to go international in coming months.

The Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund, managed by Rivers Capital Partners, provided Apollo with the loan, following a recommendation made to him from a current beneficiary that felt he could benefit from the Fund too.

Nikita Bazko, Fund Manager at Rivers Capital, said “We are always on the lookout for local entrepreneurs with a great product as well as the enthusiasm and drive to make it work. Apollo fits the bill perfectly and we’re proud to help his business expand.”

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