Fearless Adventures

62% of founders take fewer holidays. 64% spend less time with friends and family, according to a 2024 Sifted survey. Don’t let that be you this Christmas! Forbes reports that taking time off can boost: 🎨 Creativity by 33% 🫶 Happiness by 25%, 🚀 And, productivity by 13%. So, take a break this festive season and enjoy some time with loved ones. Fun fact: Marc Benioff came up with Salesforce while swimming with dolphins! According to Business Insider 🐬

In this final Fearless Friday of the year, we reflect on 2024's investment landscape, key achievements, and challenges faced by founders. We’ll share ways to tackle these challenges in 2025, highlight upcoming events for your networking calendar, and spotlight an inspiring small business. Sit back, relax and let's look back on 2024 💭

Rising Giants: Tangle Teezer Ltd Rejected on Dragons’ Den. Sold for $200M 🔥 Tangle Teezer Ltd, the hairbrush brand famously turned down on Dragons’ Den 17 years ago, just got snapped up by French giant BIC in a $200 million deal. Founded in 2007 by hairdresser Shaun Pulfrey, Tangle Teezer was born out of a simple idea: detangle hair without damage. The Dragons didn’t bite, but the public did. The numbers that speak volumes: 🚀£53.5M revenue in 2023 📈 Sales doubled in the last 4 years 🌎 Now sold in 75+ countries, with the US as its fastest-growing market Why Bic? The stationery and consumer goods powerhouse (yes, the one behind ballpoint pens and razors) is expanding its reach in personal care. Bic’s CEO, Gonzalve Bich, says the deal aims to "redefine personal grooming" in the €4.5B global hairbrush market. From a rejection on primetime TV to a $200M exit—Tangle Teezer proves that sometimes the biggest wins come from the boldest visions. What. A. Turnaround. 👏 ♻️ Dominic McGregor

✨🎄 Fearless Christmas Celebrations 🎄✨ With just one week until Christmas, the Fearless team had a lovely evening out last night! We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Grand Pacific, followed by some fun games at Electric Shuffle. We also handed out some light-hearted awards to cap off the evening. 🎉 Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! 🎄 Tell us how you and your team are celebrating another year of business 👇

Fearless founders, we want to hear from you! 📣 As we gear up for an even bigger and better year ahead, we want to ensure we’re delivering content that truly supports your journey. Fill out the form below to let us know what would bring the most value to you, and we'll make it happen! 👇

Progress in Equity for Female Founders 🚀 The latest Investing in Women Code report reveals encouraging strides in venture capital equity for female founders: equity deals involving at least one female founder have risen by nearly 10% in the last decade, now at 28%. But, all-female-led businesses still face a stark gap, with their share of equity investment stuck at just 3% for the past 10 years. This persistent challenge shows how vital it is for VCs to actively back women-led ventures. At Fearless Adventures, we’re on a mission to break barriers and drive change. So, if you're a female founder with a brilliant business idea, we’d love to hear from you! 👉 Head to the link in the comments to connect with us.

Rising Giants: Adanola 🔥 The Gen Z favourite athleisure brand, repped by icons like Michelle Keegan, Molly-Mae Hague, and Maya Jama, just dropped some serious numbers: 📈 105% YoY growth 💸 Turnover doubled to £57.1m 👚 Units sold up 110% 💰 Pre-tax profit hit £18.9m – more than double last year Founded by Hyrum Cook, the team has also grown from 53 to 76 employees, and they’ve relocated their fulfilment centre to keep up with skyrocketing demand. But it’s not just about numbers – it’s about staying ahead in a competitive, unpredictable market. The focus now? 🌍 Expanding globally with a local touch 🛍 Broadening the product range to meet customer needs 💻 Levelling up the digital experience From Manchester roots to global closets. What. A. Year. 👏 ♻️ Dominic McGregor

Founders, this week, we have an exciting partner update to announce! 🙌 Our founder, Dominic McGregor will also be attending a fantastic investment networking event—an excellent opportunity for founders looking to connect with investors. Plus, don’t miss our spotlight on another upcoming small business. Take a minute to sit back and let us fill you in!

Our founder, Dominic McGregor, will be joining the Novus Capital Padel Office Hours event! 🙌 Founders, this is your chance to connect with Investors and get insights from industry leaders who have been in your shoes. Check out the details in Jenson Brook’s post 👇

Fearless Adventures at Foudys 🙌 Over the past three weeks, the Fearless team has been stepping out of their daily routine to support our partner over the busy Black Friday period. Everyone got involved to help Foudys: 📦 Pack boxes 📨 Fulfill orders ✍️ And tackle admin tasks We truly provide more than just capital — we're a wrap-around support service, working in alignment with our partners. ... and sometimes, it’s all hands on deck for fulfilment support when needed! If you're a visionary founder looking for a partner to scale with - get in touch today via the link in the comments. 👇