Camel milk business becomes ambassador for British Business Bank programme

Tribal Milk an alternative milk drink business, is one of 12 small businesses to be selected as champions of UK start-ups by Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank.

The Sheffield-based business’ have become ambassadors for the programme after Rahma Ahmed Ali and Nura Nur, secured a loan of £10,000 in July 2021 through delivery partner Financing Sharia Enterprise to start the alternative dairy brand.

Tribal Milk drinks use camel milk, which is a staple product in Africa and has many health benefits including less lactose, higher protein and less saturated fat compared to cow’s milk.

The loan was used to cover start-up costs, product development, marketing, and inventory with Ahmed Ali and Nur planning to launch the three products that they have developed to market early next year.

The entrepreneurs then plan to continue to develop innovative products with a dairy twist, while keeping sustainability at the heart of the brand.

The annual Start Up Loans Ambassadors programme, now in its sixth consecutive year, celebrates exceptional business owners who have followed the ambition of becoming their own boss after receiving support from the Government-backed Start Up Loans programme. Tribal Milk is just one of 7,576 Yorkshire and The Humber-based businesses that have received a loan since 2012, representing a total value of over £69m.

Through a network of delivery partner organisations, the Start Up Loans programme provides pre-and-post loan support to help applicants develop a business plan, a fixed-interest loan of up to £25,000 to start or develop their business, and mentoring and other support to help loan recipients with everything from cash flow to marketing.

Drawn from communities throughout the UK, the 2021 Start Up Loans ambassadors reflect the broad diversity and ambition of the nation’s small business sector at a grass roots level. A full summary of the businesses selected from the Devolved Nations and English regions can be found below.

Paul Scully, small business minister, said: “Start Up Loans are a vital pillar in our efforts to level up every part of the country and offer opportunities to hard-working, dynamic people regardless of their background.

“From canned wine to woodwork, bridalwear to camel milk, this year’s Start Up Loans Ambassadors reflect the incredible diversity and creativity of entrepreneurship across the UK and will spearhead our mission to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business.”

Richard Bearman, managing director, Start Up Loans, said: “The small business community has been through a disrupted and challenging year, making it all the more important that we celebrate and champion the sector.
“The breadth and diversity of this year’s Start Up Loans ambassadors demonstrates that, with the right support and mentoring, aspiring business owners from all walks of life can thrive in the most challenging circumstances.

“I want to congratulate our 2021 ambassadors on the tenacity and determination they have shown over the past year, which has resulted in hugely impressive achievements. I look forward to working with them and sharing their stories to inspire others in their communities.”