Oppo Ice Cream

Idea

Introduction

We believe food that isn’t both healthy AND indulgent is broken.

We are on a mission to prove that health and true indulgence can go hand in hand.

Oppo is a luxury dairy ice cream with fewer calories than an apple. It naturally contains 60% less sugar and calories than regular ice cream by using virgin coconut oil, stevia leaf, fresh milk and a superfood boost.

The idea was born during a record-breaking expedition brothers Harry and Charlie did in Brazil, travelling 1000km along the coast by kite.

To fuel our unofficial world record we lived off coconuts and wild super-fruits. This sparked a revelation: natural ingredients can make indulgent food guilt-free.

All three flavours are ice cream favourites with a superfood boost: Madagascan Vanilla with a hint of Baobab, Mint Choc Swirl with a hint of Spirulina, and Salted Caramel with a hint of Lucuma.

Since our launch in 117 Waitrose stores, Oppo is now sold in approximately 1,100 premium locations.

Intended impact

We all want to be healthy. You are what you eat.

But eating ‘clean’ all the time is hard work, and boring. We all need a treat.

Oppo is a brand for people who care about their health but don’t want to compromise on taste.

The most indulgent foods can and should be healthy, and that doesn’t mean being less indulgent. We are challenging accepted norms in the food industry. Health and indulgence are no longer oppo-site. Oppo by name, Oppo by nature.

For us health means using natural nutritious ingredients, which results in products with reduced calories and sugar. We go one step further and boost each flavour with superfoods.

We aim to make the world a healthier place. Naturally, effortlessly, and without sacrificing indulgence.

Just a year after launch, you can now find Oppo in Waitrose, Ocado, Wholefoods Market, Co-Op, Holland & Barrett, Budgens, and out of home sites such as hotels, cinemas, theatres, offices, sports clubs, health shops and hospitals via three regional and two national distributors.

Regular ice cream and frozen yoghurt just became irrelevant. Indulgence just became guilt-free.

Substantial accomplishments to date

Q3 '14
- Won ‘Most Innovative Product of 2014’.
- Launched in 117 Waitrose stores and on Ocado.
- Interviewed live on Bloomberg TV.

Q1'15
- Raised £300,000:believed to be the world’s fastest food company to reach target using equity crowdfunding and the most over-subscribed Seedrs campaign at the time.
- Increased to 130 Waitrose Stores.
- Finalist: Best New Business at World Food Innovation Awards.

Q2'15
-Won Compass Group’s ‘Ideas Works’ competition.
-Became core listing in Wholefoods.
-Won Healthy Food Guide Award and named Guardian’s ‘Start up of the Year’.

Q3'15
- Partnered with Virgin for launch of new Virgin Red app.
- Accompanied PM David Cameron with just 4 others on Queen’s jet to Milan to be introduced to the Italian PM and showcase the best of British innovation.
- Launched in Budgens and Holland & Barrett.

Q4'15
- Sold Oppo to England Cricket & Premier League Clubs.
- Launched in Co-Op.
- Listed in 5 health care sites through Compass and 50 offices.

Monetisation strategy

Charlie created the Oppo recipes so we own them in their entirety. We produce Oppo in an ice cream factory that we trust has the capacity to scale in line with demand.

We ship the finished product on pallets to a coldstore facility in Yorkshire, who then ship the stock directly to our supermarket and distributor customers at our request.

Oppo sells and markets the ice cream and Oppo brand nationwide.

Use of proceeds

Last year, using the first round of investment, we proved the concept. Oppo now has distribution across the UK and an expanding base of loyal consumers who love the product.

The focus for this year is to drive growth by investing in marketing to raise awareness of the Oppo brand, build rate of sale in the retailers, and increase our store listings.

Specifically, we will use this investment to:
- Create a marketing campaign using Kastner & Partners (Red Bull's agency).
- Hire a dedicated Social media and design executive.
- Get 30 new sampling and brand ambassadors.
- Sample Oppo at big food festivals and events in the UK.
- Repay an outstanding loan from our company secretary of £25,000 (see below for further details).

The Company currently has a loan facility from our company secretary for up to £100,000, with £25,000 currently drawn down (the "Loan"). However, as mentioned above, the £25,000 currently outstanding under this Loan may be paid down using the proceeds of investment to reduce future interest charges of 4% p.a. It should be noted that this loan facility will remain in place until Dec 31st 2017.