A haircare company whose founder once wowed the panel on hit BBC show Dragons' Den has secured £530,000 in new funding to target international expansion.
Birmingham-based Nylah's Naturals makes vegan products for people with textured or afro hair.
Founder and chief executive Kameese Davis was inspired to start researching solutions because of her daughter Nylah who has eczema and is sensitive to a lot of hair care products available on the market.
Her products use non-toxic, naturally occurring ingredients and she started researching options in 2013 before officially launching the business five years later.
In 2021, she won the backing of Dragon Sara Davies who pledged to invest £50,000 into the business although the deal eventually broke down and did not go ahead.
Sign up for your free West Midlands newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn
Email newsletters
BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire.
Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates.
We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away.
For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here.
By securing this fresh round of funding, Ms Davis has been able to bring on board industry experts in the shape of new executive chairman Bob Holt who was previously chief executive of cosmetic brand Revolution Beauty.
Sharon Wong, a dermatologist and specialist in hair loss disorders, has also been appointed as clinical adviser.
The new funding will also support the launch of a UK subscription offer and international expansion, including a state-by-state attack on the US.
Ms Davis said: "In a landscape where less than one per cent of venture capital money in the UK is allocated to all-female teams and only 0.02 per cent reaches black women entrepreneurs, this investment takes on an even greater significance.
"It serves as an example of hope for those facing immense barriers in the world of entrepreneurship.
"With this support, Nylah's Naturals is poised to redefine the hair-care offering for black women and make a meaningful impact, not only for ourselves but for aspiring entrepreneurs who look up to us as well. The future holds incredible promise and we're eager to begin this journey."
The £530,000 in funding was provided by part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, West Midlands Co-Investment Fund and a syndicate of angel investors.
Both funds are managed by Birmingham-based venture capital firm Midven which said it would now help the company build up its senior management team and find new investors as it targets a further raise of £500,000.
Midven's junior investment manager Huw Sparkes said: "This investment isn't just about backing a brand. It's about empowering a community, embracing diversity and championing beauty in every curl and coil.
"Having known Kameese for a few years, I'm excited to be working with her, as well as Bob and Sharon, as the business scales into a global solution for black women everywhere."
