London based gourmet ice lolly producers LICKALIX have had a successful start to their crowdfunding on Crowdcube and are looking for additional investors as they enter the final 25 days of the campaign at http://www.crowdcube.com/investment/lickalix-16721.
Our natural, healthy ice lollies made with fresh fruit are all handmade.
The company has already achieved 50% of its crowdfunding target, with more than 100 investors pledging support for the innovative food start-up. LICKALIX has recently increased the equity it is offering to 15% in return for £225,000 towards the national expansion of its business.
Karis and Dominic Gesua set up LICKALIX in May 2014 with the aim of disrupting the UK frozen treats market, which is worth more than £1.1 billion, with a range of handmade, natural and healthy ice lollies. LICKALIX is planning to open its own production facility, expand its team and launch four wholesale flavours for nationwide distribution in 2015.
“With more than 100 investors already showing their support, we’re hoping that even more people will want to get involved with our business as it grows,” comments Karis. “There is definitely a gap in the UK market for ice lollies that are lower in sugar, fat and calories, free from additives and suitable for people with food intolerances. If you look at how similar products have taken off in the US, for example, the potential is enormous. We’re aiming to be the lolly of choice for health-conscious consumers next summer and beyond.”
LICKALIX has already impressed Londoners who have licked and slurped its delicious ice lollies. Feedback from customers at food festivals, markets and more than 40 retail outlets around the city in 2014 has been extremely positive. Karis was also invited by Jamie Oliver’s Drinks Tube and Food Tube channels to present a series of lolly recipes on YouTube, which achieved more than 100,000 views.
For more information or to speak to LICKALIX, please contact:
Vicky Prior
vicky@lickalix.com
07808 951637
About the market
• Ice cream sales in the UK rose by 7% year-on-year, from £1.04 billion in 2012 to £1.12 billion in 2013 (Source: Mintel)
• UK consumers spent £81.6m (16.2%) more on handheld ice cream in the past year (Source: The Grocer)
• Sales of frozen yogurt reached £13m in 2014 - a growth of 117% in three years (Source: Mintel)
• Development of healthier versions of ice cream and desserts remains low - less than 10% of new product launches in 2013 claimed to be low sugar, no sugar or reduced sugar (Source: Mintel)
About LICKALIX
LICKALIX launched its handmade gourmet ice lollies in London in May 2014. During the heat wave of summer 2013, Karis and Dominic Gesua began making ice lollies for their friends. Everyone loved the lollies, which were inspired by Mexican ‘paletas’, so the Camden based couple decided to give up their stressful jobs in branding and advertising and become full-time food entrepreneurs.
LICKALIX lollies are made by hand using fresh fruit and all natural ingredients (where possible, UK-sourced, organic and fair trade) and fresh fruit (no concentrates, juices, purees, stabilisers or additives). The lollies contain fewer than 62 calories each and have less sugar and fat than most popular ice cream, ice lolly and frozen yogurt brands. They are also suitable for vegetarians, vegans and people with intolerance to lactose, dairy or gluten. LICKALIX lollies come in a range of flavours, including Mango & Raspberry Swirl, Caribbean Twist, Strawberry & Banana Smoothie and Oh So Berry, and cost between £2 and £2.50 each when bought individually.
During summer 2014, LICKALIX lollymobiles visited a number of festivals and street food markets, including Taste of London and Street Feast, to introduce the lollies to consumers. The company also established partnerships with more than 40 retailers across London, including kiosks in Hyde Park and St James’s Park, cafes, delis and bars and ice cream vans. Feedback from customers and the media included: “there is nothing more refreshing”, “tasty”, “a great idea”, “scrummy” and “all of the gourmet with none of the guilt”.
Visit the LICKALIX campaign on Crowdcube at http://www.crowdcube.com/investment/lickalix-16721
For more details of where to find LICKALIX ice lollies, go to http://www.lickalix.com/find-us/
Watch LICKALIX on Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRuX0LsjUuQ
About Crowdcube
Crowdcube is the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform. The company enables ordinary people to invest alongside professional investors in start-up, early stage and growth businesses through equity, debt and investment fund options. Since its inception, the company has amassed a crowd over 100,000 people who have invested more than £40m, with 150 British businesses being funded as a result. Crowdcube’s success stories include Hab Housing, which was established by Kevin McCloud and raised £1.9m in 2013, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, which raised £1m in 36 hours through a Crowdcube Mini-Bond, as well as Sir Stelios’ latest venture, easyProperty, which raised over £1.4m recently.
