Salford based startup receives six figure investment from SFC Capital
Salford-based start-up B-B-L Protect, has successfully raised six-figure investment from SFC Capital following a successful pitch with non-profit angel investment organisation NorthInvest.
Founded in 2020, B-B-L Protect has created a range of isolation devices, known as Aeropods, which are designed for the safe transport and movement of patients with infectious diseases, such as Covid 19, Lassa Fever and Ebola. Their Aeropod 15 is the only isolation device in the world with full aviation compliance. With the current pandemic, many competitors have been using exemption certificates to allow their solutions to be used on aircraft. However, these certificates are now being revoked which now means operators must look for alternatives, leaving B-B-L Protect as the only suitable candidate on the market.
Their product was developed over a 14-month timeframe, during which the company secured support from key specialists in both the medical and aviation sectors, helping to fast-track the initial design concept into a working reality. The AeroPod products are commencing real word validation exercises with the NHS in March and April, with discussions underway around European and US distribution.
BBL Protect will use the funds secured in this round to begin commercialisation of their AeroPod range of products, as well as recruiting a sales team.
Russell Clifton, MD of B-B-L Protect said “We are delighted that SFC Capital have committed to help us commercialise our AeroPod range of isolation devices. The deal underpins our product development trajectory, allowing us to fully commercialise the product for sale in the UK and overseas. SFC also bring a skill set that compliments that of our existing partners, which only serves to further strengthen our business, and create solid foundations for growth. We’re very grateful to NorthInvest for their support in refining our proposition and letting us pitch, which ultimately led us to SFC Capital.”
Adam Beveridge, Investment Associate at SFC Capital said “I was very impressed with the commercial demand for Aeropod, with pre-orders and deep conversations from the likes of GAMA aviation, Salford Royal Hospital, North Manchester University Hospital and Bucher. This was unsurprising given how Covid-19 raised awareness on the ease of transmission of infectious diseases – so BBL Protect’s innovation is most timely. I saw that Russell could clearly open doors, but also had the know-how to protect his IP. This gave me even more confidence to go ahead with the investment and I’m excited to support their journey.”
Jordan Dargue, Board Director of NorthInvest said: “BBL Protect is another example of the brilliant businesses that the North has to offer. Amid the ongoing pandemic, the Aeropod devices are a timely solution to some of the arising challenges that the health and aviation sectors are currently experiencing. We’re thrilled to have introduced Russell and the team to SFC Capital and we can’t wait to see where their journey takes them.”
