Raising a glass to growth: Saicho secures VC investment

When science meets taste, exceptional things happen. That’s the story behind Saicho , a single origin sparkling tea brand founded by husband-and-wife duo Charlie and Natalie Winkworth-Smith. With PhDs in food science and a shared love of gastronomy, the couple set out to redefine the non-alcoholic drinks experience.

The idea for Saicho was born from a personal frustration.

We’ve always loved dining out, but Natalie can’t drink alcohol – even a couple of sips of wine and she turns bright red. While sommeliers would explain how a wine paired with the dish, she’d be left with a glass of water, missing out on the experience

says Charlie.

Their solution? A non-alcoholic drink created to hold its own alongside fine dining, not by imitating wine, but by offering comparable complexity, character, and storytelling.

Just like wine, tea reflects its terroir and processing methods, it has that same depth and sophistication.

To fuel the next phase of Saicho’s growth, particularly in high-end hospitality – an area where they’re already making an impact – Charlie and Natalie looked to secure VC investment.

A thoughtful approach to raising investment

After two successful angel rounds, the couple knew their first institutional raise would be a very different challenge. More stakeholders, more complexity, and higher expectations. But rather than rushing in, they took a deliberate, strategic approach.

We didn’t want to raise just for the sake of securing capital – it was about finding investors who would bring valuable experience, networks and time to the table. We waited until the business was ready and we had options. That gave us the confidence to pursue terms we were comfortable with.

In total, they raised £1.5 million, including £500,000 from The West Midlands Co-Investment (WMCO) fund, which is managed by Future Planet Capital Regional, and further investment through Advanced Subscription Agreements (ASAs).

Legal support built for scaling businesses

As a client on our Enable plan, Saicho has access to ongoing, flexible legal support across each area of business law – all within an affordable monthly subscription. It’s a cost-effective way for growing businesses to get trusted, on-demand legal advice with predictable fees.

To help navigate the complexities of their first VC round, Saicho worked with Brigitta Naunton, Partner in our Corporate team, who had advised on their previous angel rounds.

Your team had advised us on previous investment rounds, so we knew we were in good hands. This raise was more complex, but you helped us understand the legal process and align everything with our growth plans. We’re very happy with the outcome

This round involved both a standard equity investment and the conversion of multiple ASAs. Brigitta guided Saicho through every stage, from structuring the deal and due diligence to negotiating investor terms, ensuring their legal position supported their long-term ambitions.

'Saicho are a brilliant client to work with' says Brigitta. 

They approached the raise with real clarity – well-prepared, thoughtful about their long-term goals, and selective about the investors they brought on board. That made it easy for us to tailor the legal support to fit their funding strategy.

Advice for founders from someone who’s been there

Charlie shares his advice for other founders preparing for their first institutional raise.

If at all possible, don’t be in a rush. We were able to get the terms we were comfortable with by having options – and that came from being prepared, not just jumping at the first opportunity.

This measured approach, combined with a clear vision and the right legal and investment partners, has set Saicho up for sustainable, strategic growth.