EBar Initiatives, a startup spun out of Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, has secured funding amounting to £300,000.
The Scottish company has developed ‘dispensing technology’ to reduce the time people spend waiting in bar queues, in the hope of improving the consumer experience at music and sports events.
The funding was led by London-based Jenson Funding Partners SEIS and EIS Fund, who were joined by Scottish investors including angel investor groups Gabriel and Equity Gap.
EBar was founded in 2016 by Sam Pettipher and Nick Beeson; MBA graduates of Robert Gordon University. Beeson, who also acts as commercial director said: “We have already demonstrated that our technology works, and this funding injection provides us with capital to develop a production EBar unit. We look forward to launching it with our partner venue operators later this year.”
Stuart Gilmore, who joins EBar Initiatives as Jenson’s investment director, added: “Jenson seeks out and invests in the most innovative and disruptive companies. We look forward to working with the team to help them realise the tremendous potential of their technology.”
EBar claim that its technology can dispense two beverages in just 20 seconds. This funding will be used to develop the technology and to integrate it into payment technologies. The aim is to serve consumers pints of beer or soft drinks up to three times faster than traditional bars.
Dr Ian Broadbent, Director of MBA at RGU, said: “Sam and Nick met on the MBA course at RGU, and they recently returned to the classroom where it all began to inspire our current students during MBA Leadership Week
“It was great to hear that they have used elements of the MBA daily to support the exciting developments at EBar Initiatives, and we’re delighted that they’ve achieved this important milestone,” he added.