Supplements producer Karmacist has raised £700,000 in a pre-seed round backed by former John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield.
The London-based business, founded by Tim Samuels and Hélène Bamba, claims to have created the world’s first nutrigenomics wellness supplement after teaming up with scientists from Ivy League universities Harvard and Stanford.
It is using the money to bring four supplement formulations to market containing “rare and ancient” botanicals to address users’ energy, immunity, mood and stress levels.
The formulations draw on research that explores the impact particular nutrients, such as from herbs or plants, can have on genes.
Investors in the round included Mayfield and Matt Knapp, a vice president at Dollar Shave Club, alongside travel entrepreneur Craig Burkinshaw and VC firm Founders Factory.
Founder and CEO Tim Samuels said: “I’ve been on a mission for years to find better ways to improve mental and physical resilience through natural ways, whilst always retaining a healthy journalistic scepticism. But what really captivated me about nutrigenomics was its fusion of cutting-edge science with the ancient and natural.
“I’m thrilled we have the backing and support to now get Karmacist out there – and ambitiously grow something very special.”
Karmacist has sat within the Founders Factory accelerator programme for the past six months as it prepared for launch.
Founders Factory CEO Louis Warner added: “Tim and Hélène are great entrepreneurs who are drawing on their unique experiences and knowledge, both personally and professionally, to lead a new and exciting field of mental wellbeing. Everyone at Founders Factory congratulates them on their launch and we look forward to seeing them thrive and succeed.”
No comments yet