IMMACULATE CROWDFUNDER TO QUENCH THIRST OF WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE PROJECTS

Three key players within research-led community interest company Women’s Enterprise Scotland have launched a Crowdfunder campaign for a new range of alcohol-free drinks in a bid to fund projects which support women in business.

WES Chair Lynne Cadenhead, alongside Chief Executive Carolyn Currie and Communications Manager Gaynor Simpson, have created a new venture, Immaculate Drinks, and are currently working with The Royal Bank of Scotland ‘Back Her Business’ and Crowdfunder UK to raise £10,000 seed funding by the end of this month.

WES Chair Lynne Cadenhead said; “ImmaculateTM bridges two huge gaps in the market. One is the need for a premium, botanical, low sugar, alcohol-free drink. A welcome alternative to the sugar and chemical laden choices that are on offer now. Secondly, the continued, untapped potential of women-led businesses which could benefit from expert, needs-based growth support and resources, yet still lack access to this bespoke support. The result is Immaculate Drinks, completely natural, steeped in provenance and developed with authenticity, integrity and wellbeing at our heart, right here in Scotland. Our mission now is to reach our £10,000 target by 30 December so that we can bring our first non-alcoholic G&T product to market in early 2020.”

The entrepreneurial team behind Immaculate have pledged that 50% of the profits from the new business will go to support projects which help women to start and grow their own businesses.

Cadenhead continued; “Just 20% of SMEs in Scotland are majority owned by women[1] and this persistent gender gap is woeful. Until we provide the expert, gender specific support which women business leaders stand to benefit from, we are literally leaving millions of pounds on the table which could be going into the Scottish economy.”

The Immaculate Back Her Business Crowdfunder closes at 3.00pm on 30 December and needs to reach £10,000 to be successful. Scores of people have already pledged support for the project. Further details can be found at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/immaculate-alcohol-free-classic-g-and-t

[1] Office for National Statistics, UK Labour Market August 2015