And Rising invests in new brands using Creative Capital - a services-for-equity model that gives brands a skin-in-the-game marketing partner. And Rising has a £5 million fund allocated over the next five years to make investments in ventures where brand matters. Our fund philosophy is detailed below.
We’re looking for innovative propositions with simple business models led by founders that can attract strong backers. Our focus is on brands that champion positive change — clean, conscious and creative direct-to-consumer products, services. Brands and tech that improve lifestyles, disrupt outdated ideas, promote wellbeing and are a rewarding part of the aspirational consumer economy. Our markets are the UK, Europe, the US and Australia.
We accelerate ideas post-revenue, at late Seed and Series A, where being market-ready comes into focus. Often, you may have bravely got going and found early adopters. What sets you apart is signs of market fit, evidence of (or the potential for) compelling unit economics and healthy revenue growth.
We look at every opportunity through this lens: the earlier you bake brand and marketing thinking into the product and technology, the bigger your success will be. By brand, we mean what a company stands for at its core, new, attractive customer acquisition models and any creative difference, big or small, that drives unfair value and disproportionate returns.
For us, marketing is a function of engineering and the brand is an asset on the balance sheet. Companies that work this way are proven to outperform those that don’t. We’re looking for opportunities where unparalleled growth is made possible through the foundations of brand and marcomms investment. We are in a hurry, but we don’t rush.
Your audience is more than what they buy from you. They are active participants in shaping the story. As the adage goes: “It’s not enough to be a founder who can build a product, those are the table stakes. Now, they must be able to build a community around it. For most, the community is a true challenge.”
But based here in Camden, London — one of the UK’s start-up villages minus the tech-bro glumness and valet parking. It’s a place for unusual thinking, experimentation and every kind of person. Achieving balance in our portfolio is essential. We’re growing different types of companies with different types of founders, reflecting our idealistic, inclusive outlook.
Which requires us to be the change we seek in the world, understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations. Sustainability is a given. We actively look for ideas with positive impact baked into the business model, as a genuine invitation to a better world.
Creative Capital is a combination of bootstrapping, angel funding and specialist expertise. Our approach reduces burn and is ‘equity efficient’, leaving more in the hands of the founders. We invest branding and marketing support with a value of up to £1m per venture to build strong brands that stand out and move the world forward. We love what we do and do the work.
We’re conviction-driven with special abilities to ‘trust the dots’ looking forward. We’ve achieved results but we measure our reputation and referral rate just as much. We were in New York wondering whether to start a company. We looked up and saw a sign 'Hell yes!' and within weeks And Rising was born. Created by Ugo Rondinone, it celebrates love, life, bravery and optimism.
Transformed the way we learn languages and fueled a generation of socially mobile English speakers. IPO'd in 2021 for $3.66 billion.
Education
World's largest learning model of food, products and clinical medical evidence.
Health
In just a few years Seedlip defined a category of low alcohol spirits. Acquired by Diageo 2019.
Food & Drink
Preventative health and wellness brand, boosting the natural powers within all of us.
Health
Founded in Holland, Vivera is a pioneer of plant-based meat alternatives. Acquired for $409 million by JBS in 2021.
Vegan pet-food and ethical grooming products.
Food & Drink
Blockchain enabled micro-payments platform, powering next generation web commerce.
Finance
Clean, conscious snacks with breakthrough ingredients.
Food & Drink
Premium, sustainable ready-to-drinks, made from wonky fruit.
Food & Drink
The first baked not fried crisp. Acquired by Intersnack in the UK and VMG Partners in USA.
Food & Drink
The UK's Netflix. Acquired by Amazon and become Amazon Prime.
Entertainment
A light, low-fat, low calorie ice cream that actually tastes like ice cream. Acquired by Wells Enterprises in 2019.
Food & Drink
The UK's Lululemon: global lifestyle brand for women. Acquired for $410 million by Wolverine in 2021.
Fashion
Acquired
Partner
Investment