Following our successful equity funding round back in 2019, we became the first ever watch brand to be part-owned by its customers. We were humbled by the support and delighted to open this new chapter in our story.
Since then, we've flourished as a business. We've navigated a global pandemic and the massive impacts this had on manufacturing and assembly lines - and somehow we've emerged the other side, a little battered and bruised, but optimistic about the future. These experiences have brought forward decisions regarding our current supply chain as we look at which elements we can bring in house. This is where our Series B Funding Round comes in.
To move assembly and elements of manufacturing internally is a daunting task, and it requires investment, a lot of investment. Not just in machinery and tools, but in time, people and training too. Once an innovator in the watchmaking industry, Britain has not played a leading role since the Second World War, but times are a changin'. We're now beginning to see a resurgence of the British watchmaking industry with a number of emerging British brands looking to revitalise that legacy - we are one of them.
Our watches are currently manufactured and assembled in Switzerland and Japan, but over the course of the last 24 months we’ve been researching and planning to bring assembly in-house, back to the home of watchmaking. Not only will this allow us to bring new skills into the team through apprenticeships and training, but we will also be able to offer servicing, repairs and customisation right here - not to mention creating a destination for our customers where they can come and see their watch being made. We will be at the forefront of the resurrection of the British watchmaking industry, and you can join us on our journey.
By investing in our Crowdcube campaign not only will you own your very own slice of Marloe Watch Company, but you'll enjoy benefits like discounts and exclusive watch models, and most importantly, you'll be helping to bring watchmaking home.
So why Crowdcube?
It was important to us that the process of investing was made easy, transparent and safe for our community. We have had to educate ourselves in this field, which has required extensive collaboration with legal and financial advisors, and the seeking out of the right partner to aid us in this endeavour. We, as we freely admit, felt our way through the initial stages of research and it's only since we found the right partners that we have felt confident to move forwards, confident that this is the right decision for the business and our community. We don't want you to have to do the same research to reassure yourself; so we decided to partner with a renowned platform to keep things simple. Crowdcube have stood out to us throughout the process, proving themselves realistic, reliable, and secure, and allowing us to tailor our campaign to include our community at every level of investment.
Community
This isn't simply a fund-raising exercise for us. We have, since day one, been focused on finding the best ways to make every customer feel like a true part of our community. We don't ever want to become a transactional business; our customers mean so much more to us than that. We have formed true friendships with the people who ask about, buy and wear our watches; we enjoy meeting face to face, receiving feedback and ideas, consulting with our customers, and we love knowing that Marloe means something to everyone in our network. We know that we can repay every investment not only financially, and with rewards and incentives, but with true involvement in our company, and that's what has brought us to this decision. It's our way of saying thank you for the support we have already received, and making a statement about how highly we value that by 'making it official' and giving interested parties the opportunity to play a real part in our future.
Everyone who invests anything from £10 will receive a proportionate share in Marloe Watch Company. The more you invest, the more shares and benefits you receive. Our customers have shown us since our very first Kickstarter campaign, launching our first watch, that they are behind us every step of the way. We know that the timepieces we will be able to bring to market over the next couple of years will bring great joy to our customers; we have been led by the demand from our customers for particular functionalities, designs, and variety. Perhaps, if you've been in to see us recently, you might have got a sneak peek at a couple of prototypes?
Shareholders across the investment tiers will receive invitations to our AGM and events, and will be asked for their opinions on upcoming designs and releases. They will also receive unique rewards and benefits, increasing with every tier of investment, as a thank you for joining us on this journey. This relationship will continue for the duration of the shareholding - far beyond this Series B Funding Round.
How can I invest?
If you are interested in becoming a part-owner of Marloe Watch Company, all the information you'll need can be found on our Crowdcube page. And please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
To those of you who have already noted your interest or invested, we extend a huge thank you.
To the future, together, and whatever it may hold.