Specialist skincare start-up gets funding boost

Harper James Solicitors has supported a cosmetics and skincare company to secure major new investment, which will help it expand internationally. Our team worked with Jennifer Young Limited on a pivotal funding round with the West Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), managed by Birmingham-based venture capital business Midven. 

The Staffordshire-based skincare start-up has found success by developing a range of products, with particular emphasis on skincare for those living with cancer. Now Jennifer Young is set to use the funding to grow its existing sales channels and expand its offering to international markets. The company will also be using the investment to build its team and marketing function.

Jennifer Young signed up as clients with Harper James earlier this year under our Enable Plan. As champions of entrepreneurs, we designed the Enable Plan as a monthly subscription package ideal for start-ups. The plan opens up easily accessible and ongoing legal support on a monthly basis for businesses from partner-level lawyers. This means early-stage firms can access high quality legal advice without incurring the costs normally associated with using a law firm.

‘We were delighted with the support we received from the team at Harper James,’ Jennifer said. ‘One of the things that impresses me most about Harper James is the flexibility of the different packages they offer firms who require legal support. It is perfect match for growing start-ups like us who need expert advice at affordable prices.’

Harper James’ corporate partner, Adam Kudryl, who led the legal work on the founding round, said: ‘We are very excited to have helped Jennifer Young secure this vital investment in what is the latest step in its journey, and look forward to helping the business to grow and flourish. We were able to get the deal done - from issue of legal documents by Midven to completion of the investment - in just over two weeks, which worked fantastically for the business as well as Midven.’

Jennifer Young, who founded the business and is now managing director, said this was a welcome milestone in the company’s journey: ‘As a business, we aim to support as many people receiving cancer treatment as possible. The funding we’ve received from the MEIF will allow us to continue to enhance the quality of life for those we work with and produce more quality products that can help them feel a sense of joy during an unimaginably difficult time. We look forward to working towards our goals with Midven’s helping hand and expanding the Jennifer Young team and its products internationally.’

Giovanni Finocchio, investment director at Midven, added: ‘It was clear when we first met Jennifer that she was both very knowledgeable and extremely passionate about the people her company serves. On discussing her business plans and vision, we immediately recognised the product and service gap that she was trying to fulfil. We bought into her vision and made the investment and are confident the company will become one of the great growth stories of the region. We look forward to working with the team.’