Tech start-up secures investment for future growth

Online gifting platform Kidcrowd, created by 21-year-old Huddersfield entrepreneur Melissa Roberts, has received investment to support its plans for future growth.

Kidcrowd offers a digital platform that enables relatives and friends to help a child save money towards a larger gift or experience, whilst reducing the stress of trying to find presents.

It also helps the planet become more sustainable by cutting the amount of plastic and waste.

Passionate about supporting tech starts up, private investor Caroline Freeman has committed over £30,000 of investment to Kidcrowd, acquiring a 15% stake in the business now valued at £200,000.

She is now working as a business consultant, and has a background in branding and marketing within the film & leisure industry, as well as successfully turning around a loss-making business.

Freeman said: “If anyone is going to make an innovative tech start up business a success, it’s Melissa.

“She’s the embodiment of a true entrepreneur, full of passion and drive.

“Kidcrowd is an innovative product which is disrupting a traditional market in a really positive way for the good of our future generations as well as the planet, and I believe will become a serious player within the gifting and ecommerce markets.

“Not only is Kidcrowd a product that reduces global warming and wastage, it teaches our children about the value of money which should make for a whole new generation of entrepreneurs.”

Roberts began her own web design businessat the age of 18; building her skill set through hands on experience. It was at a networking event back in 2018 that she first connected with Freeman.

Roberts said: “Caroline was one of my very first clients at Beanie Media and one of the first professionals I had ever met at the grand old age of 18.

“We have always had a strong relationship and I am thrilled Caroline has chosen to invest within the business platform.

“We are at the beginning of our journey, and with the support from Caroline, we can focus on strategic growth and planning our route to success.”

The team are currently working on an app version of Kidcrowd, which should be available by the end of 2021.

It will move the company from having a presence solely in the gift-giving market, to operating in the financial services and ecommerce markets.