From the first round of Tech Invest four short years ago to now, 19 of the presenting companies have raised funding, two floated on AIM and two have been acquired. GrowthBusiness presents the top 13 Tech Innovators of the year.
WhiskyInvestDirect – a snapshot
WhiskyInvestDirect is the new and efficient market for buying and selling Scotch whisky as it matures in barrel – a compelling asset class delivering better than 7 per cent annual appreciation after storage costs and inflation over the last decade.
WhiskyInvestDirect supports this centuries-old business by providing cash-flow during the maturing process, enabling investors large and small to own the single malt and grain spirit which blended brands need, stored in bonded warehouses as it matures.
Based in: London
Founded in: 2015
Presenting at Tech Invest: Rupert Patrick, CEO
Rupert Patrick has 25 years’ experience in the whisky business. Starting in brand-building and exports at medium-sized private firm Ian Macleod Distillers, he ran $200 million of all spirit sales in emerging markets at Beam (now part of Suntory), before leading new business in Africa – managing brands such as Johnnie Walker, White Horse and Vat 69 worth $100 million per year – at Diageo until 2014.
Products
Single malt Scotch whisky: Auchentoshan, Ardmore, Blair Athol, Benrinnes, Glen Spey, Glen Garioch, Auchroisk, Dailuaine, Inchgower, Tullibardine, Glen Moray. Single grain Scotch whisky: Cameronbridge, North British, Starlaw
Recent technology
Peer-to-peer trading platform, modelled on the successful BullionVault platform.
Recent milestones
- 1 million litres of new whisky sold to customers
- Over £3 million of whisky purchased from the platform since September 2015 launch
- 8 per cent net increase in whisky stock value since July 2015
Upcoming milestones
- First Islay malt to be added to the platform
- 2,000 account openings
- Average customer investment to reach £6,000
Alliances
- Current suppliers include Diageo, Beam Suntory, Morrison Bowmore, Glen Turner, Picard.
- Future suppliers include Burn Stewart and Whyte & Mackay.
Investors
- Galmarley Ltd (owner of BullionVault)
- 63 Convertible preference shareholders.
- Rupert Patrick, CEO
Contact
12th Floor Landmark House, Blacks Road, London W6 9DP
Tel: 0208 600 0135
Email: support@whiskyinvestdirect.com
Website: www.whiskyinvestdirect.com
See also: Tech Innovators 2016 – AimBrain
