Sky Wave beats Crowdfunding target to boost expansion
20th February, 2025
The Sky Wave Distillery in Oxfordshire has beaten its crowdfunding target and is setting its sights on expanding sales globally. The Distillery, which produces small batch a premium gins has raised £116k in a round that values the company at £1.75m.
“We’re thrilled to have overfunded, it’s a testament to the strength of the Oxfordshire based Sky Wave brand and our vision for growth.
We are only 6 years old and yet Sky Wave continues to make waves as we have done from the start when we were named The World’s Best Contemporary Gin, at the World Gin Awards, less than 2 years after launching.” Said Co-Founder Rachel Hicks.
“This is the second time we’ve crowdfunded. In 2022 we overfunded and promptly delivered on our pledge to design and create a sumptuous bespoke bottle, so our world class liquid was matched with world class packaging. Our eye catching bottle range was named The World’s Best Range Design at the World Gin Awards 2024.
Our new bottle, designed in Wales and manufactured in Yorkshire, enabled us to deliver better value to our customers, as we increased the liquid volume by 40% whilst keeping the price increase to just 20%.
We have also been able to deliver more on our sustainability aims, as we ensured our bespoke bottle was designed to weigh only 650 grammes, so it’s classed as lightweight and uses less CO2 in its production and transportation to customers.” Said Andrew Parsons, Co-Founder and Master Distiller
Sky Wave says the crowdfunding will help with marketing support in the UK to ensure their range of luxury gins, vodka and Zero distilled spirit is better known nationally to help drive sales. They are already stocked around Britain in over 50 Sainsbury’s along with independent wine merchants, retailers, pub chains and online at Master of Malt and Amazon. The distillery will also be strengthening its sales team so it can better serve their current customers and discover new ones.
Abroad, Sky Wave has a distributor in Belgium and Luxembourg, which distributes their brand across Europe. Sky Wave will support this business further to grow its share of the market. The distillery is in conversation with a number of exporters from South America, Australia, Scandinavia and East Asia keen to discuss their potential.
“Crowdfunding creates its own energy and we have certainly enjoyed some very compelling conversations as a result. We will take time to consider our position since the crowd funding has been such a resounding success and respond to the deeply interesting approaches we have had.” Said Andrew.