Companies that sell products or services that are centred around love and relationships are nothing new. And with the advancement of the internet, there are abundant opportunities for startups to take part in the love economy by offering new innovative products and services. Match.com was launched in 1995 as the world’s first internet dating company. Since then, the emergence of social media, smartphones and the app economy have made significant parts of our lives digital – communication, shopping, and work. It’s unsurprising that finding and nurturing love through the internet is as mainstream as it gets in the 2020s.
The dating app boom of the 2010s changed the way we find love. Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Grinder are known and used by people of all age groups and backgrounds. No longer are people reliant on what a local jewellery shop has in stock to find their perfect engagement ring. Online engagement ring shops like Blue Nile and James Allen allow people to buy fully certified bespoke diamond engagement rings as easily as buying a toothbrush on Amazon (though slightly more expensive). And long distance relationship couples can use one of the many online florists to get flowers delivered for special occasions. These are just a few of the ways in which the internet has changed our love lives.
Though some of the above mentioned companies have grown into everyday mainstream brands, the love economy is full of exciting business opportunities for startups too. We’d like to celebrate startups that embody the spirit of Valentine and have successfully raised funds through thousands of Seedrs investors.
WeddingPlanner.co.uk
WeddingPlanner.co.uk launched in 2013 and has become one of the top ranking wedding planning sites on the web. Couples can use the website to compare suppliers of wedding-related services and manage and book their weddings from start to finish in one central place. The site now gets over 70,000 unique monthly visitors and more than 20,000 couples are using WeddingPlanner.co.uk to plan their weddings.
WeddingPlanner.co.uk raised over £380,000 from 246 investors through two successful Seedrs campaigns in 2015 and 2017.
Taylor & Hart
Taylor & Hart crafts award-winning premium bespoke engagement rings that are sustainably sourced. The company launched in 2013 and has already delivered over 10,000 engagement rings to happy couples.
Taylor & Hart raised over £6 million from 362 investors through three successful Seedrs campaigns in 2014, 2015 and 2022.
Love Cocoa
Love Cocoa has won awards for their organic chocolates that are produced in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly way. The company was launched in 2016, sold products in Fortnum & Mason in 2017, and has achieved a spectacular 300% growth in the last 2 years.
Love Cocoa raised over £190,000 from 290 investors through a successful Seedrs campaign in 2017.
Tilly
Tilly is an app that aims to support people on their fertility and pregnancy journeys. Since launching in 2021, the app has helped people with the mental and physical pain points around fertility and pregnancy. In their first year, the company saw an average monthly growth of 50%.
Tilly raised over €380,000 from 266 investors through a successful Seedrs campaign in 2022.
Roam
Roam was founded in 2021 by a team with nearly 20 years of experience at L’Oréal and Harry’s. The company makes premium, 100% natural sexual wellness products and has grown revenue by 28% per month in their first year. They’ve also built a community of over 25,000 people.
Roam raised over £1.8 million from 371 investors through a successful Seedrs campaign in 2022.
Raising Capital with Seedrs
If you’re a founder looking to raise funds to fuel your startup’s next stage of growth, why not leverage your community and the Seedrs investor base? Apply to raise with Seedrs.
