London-based beauty technology start-up yuv, which made history on the BBC's Dragons' Den, is set to announce a major new funding injection to fuel its international growth.
Record-Breaking Den Deal Fuels Expansion
yuv will on Thursday confirm the completion of a $12 million (approximately £8.9 million) Series A fundraising round. The capital raise has been spearheaded by the Swedish growth equity firm Nineyards Equity, with participation from existing investors including the company's founder, Francisco Gimenez.
This significant financial boost comes hot on the heels of the company's unprecedented success on Dragons' Den earlier this year. The start-up impressed entrepreneurs Steven Bartlett and Sara Davies, securing a £250,000 investment from each at a £25 million valuation. This deal set a new record as the largest investment ever secured by a start-up pitching on the long-running BBC programme.
Transforming Salon Sustainability with Tech
yuv has developed what it claims is the world's first smart hair colour lab system for professional salons and freelance stylists. Its core product, the yuv Lab, is a dispensing platform for professional hair colourings that connects to a dedicated app.
The innovative system is designed to tackle industry waste by replacing single-use plastic tubes with refillable aluminium cartridges. It also offers stylists precise, custom colour formulations, marrying advanced technology with a push for greater environmental sustainability in the beauty sector.
Funding to Drive UK Growth and US Launch
The freshly secured Series A capital is earmarked to accelerate yuv's growth within the United Kingdom and to lay the groundwork for a strategic expansion into the United States market, planned for next year.
Founder Francisco Gimenez stated: "With the support of Nineyards Equity, VNV Global, and our investor network, we are doubling down on our mission to transform professional hair colour through sustainability, design, and technology. Our next chapter will bring yuv's platform to more salons and freelancers across the UK, and soon to the US, where we see massive potential."
The global market opportunity is substantial. Industry estimates suggest the value of the salon hair care services market will surge from $204 billion in 2025 to nearly $342 billion by 2032.
Eric Sävendahl, Principal at lead investor Nineyards Equity, commented: "Yuv is bringing true digital transformation to professional hair colour by combining hardware, colour and software into a platform that solves real pain points for salons and freelancing hairdressers alike." The investment underscores strong confidence in yuv's potential to redefine a multi-billion pound global industry.
