Dragons' Den duo secures £100k funding to grow their Durham health business

Two entrepreneurs from Durham secured investment offers of £100k during an appearance on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den last year.

In 2018, Liam Sherriff and Craig Newbigin have pulled together a new brand with fresh products and a Crowdcube campaign aiming to raise a further £250k.

The brand, Natural Nutrients, is based on the Drum Industrial Estate in Chester-le-Street and provides customers with ‘clean’, natural alternatives to other sports nutrition and health products. The business also offers online nutritional advice.

Crowdcube was the natural next step for Liam and Craig to raise money for their company. The investment aims to be used to support further launches with online nutrition distributors Musclefood as well as Holland and Barrett.

Natural Nutrients’ managing director, Liam Sherriff, said: “Crowdcube is one of the simplest and most respected crowdfunding platforms out there.

“It allows us to offer existing customers the chance to invest in a brand they already love, and for us to reach out to business angels and investors looking for an exciting, ethical investment opportunity in fast-growing market.”

Natural Nutrients already have listings with several well-known outlets in the region such as Fenwick Newcastle, Ramside Hall Spa… Soon, they will be partnering with Durham County Council leisure facilities, too.

The duo also plans to invest into new products and recruit two new members of staff as they plan to drive into other new markets, including export.

Liam continued: “We have a range of products that knowledgeable consumers love, and that can offer quantifiable benefits and more unique selling points over competing products in the marketplace.

“Our big plans are retail, but we will also use the funding to grow direct sales via our website and to build relationships with more specialist gyms and CrossFit facilities throughout 2018.

“We have also identified mainland Europe as a key market opportunity and have secured Department for International Trade funding to help us get there.”

Investors can choose packages that start from £10, right through to five-figure packages aimed at investors looking to get involved in Natural Nutrient’s future growth.