Building on the success of its inaugural and second-year Seed Capital Investment Funds, The Dyers’ Company is excited to announce the launch of its third-year fund. The initiative, aimed at promoting innovation and supporting the commercialisation of ideas within the colouration industry, invites entrepreneurs and businesses to apply before the 5th of March, 2025.
The Dyers’ Company will consider offering equity investments of up to £25,000 per venture for emerging businesses focused on transforming groundbreaking ideas into operational businesses. The fund is open to ventures connected to colouration, including sectors such as colour chemistry, food technology, medical dyes, engineering, sustainable dyeing, and textiles for fashion and interiors.
Through this initiative, The Dyers’ Company seeks to strengthen the economic contribution of colouration within the UK. By fostering the growth of new businesses, the fund offers essential resources and mentorship for those within the colouration field, empowering practitioners across diverse industries.
Historically, The Dyers’ Company has supported academics and students in their field with grants, bursaries, and financial prizes. This will continue, and this initiative extends that support to individuals who may be looking for ways to take the next step in their careers. The Dyers’ Company Seed Capital Investment Fund is provided in exchange for a minority equity stake in the business.
Martin Lane, Clerk of The Dyers’ Company states: “Entering the third year of our Seed Capital Investment Fund marks a significant milestone in our enduring commitment to the colouration industry. Through this fund, we continue to bridge our rich heritage with emerging technologies, ensuring the craft of dyeing continues to innovate and thrive in a sustainable way for future generations.”
Recipients of the inaugural round of funding were SAGES London a start-up transforming plant waste into sustainable dyes, while Post Carbon Lab, a biotech and textile-tech company turning carbon emissions into eco-friendly colours, dyes, and coatings, received funding in the second year.
Dian-Jen Lin, Co-founder & CEO at Post Carbon Lab says: “It’s been an honour and privilege to have The Dyers’ Company as our first equity investor. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to get our formulations/colours and business plans validated by experts and senior professionals in the sector. The Seed Capital Investment has allowed us to conclude a bio-material characterisation and technical performance benchmarking work package. We have also started compiling the necessary compliance registration documents to prepare for internationalisation. This relationship has also opened new doors for us to attract further investments from other institutional investors and we see great potential going forward with the support from The Dyers’ Company.”
Emily Taylor, CEO at SAGES concludes: “We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by The Worshipful Company of Dyers, which has been instrumental in driving our innovation at SAGES. The initial funding has enabled us to purchase key equipment which has advanced our sustainable dye technology. Follow on funding has been instrumental in the support of an Innovate UK Smart Grant that we received and, as a result, we have been able to plan and develop critical pilot-scale infrastructure. The Dyers have also been supportive in connecting us with their wider network and we are keen to continue our partnership as we scale our operations and shape a more sustainable and colourful future!”
The Dyers’ Company Seed Capital Investment Fund is a two-stage process. Stage one is an online application, with a deadline of 5th March 2025. Applications will then be reviewed by a vetting committee including members of The Dyers’ Colour Committee with substantial experience of colouration commercialisation.
Stage two is the short-listing of a small number of potential candidates, who will be invited to interview on 2nd April 2025, following which the successful businesses will be announced.
