This article does not constitute financial advice and is designed for information purposes only.
May is here and the first crowdfunding roundup of the month covers some genuinely unexpected ground. A prediction-market platform, a next-generation finance product and a startup reimagining the materials inside of our electronics. Not the most obvious trio, but that’s part of what makes this week interesting.
Founders are tackling problems that most people didn’t know needed solving, supported by crowds willing to back something a little different.
So, who are the startups raising this week? Here they are.
1. Jiva Materials
How much are they raising: £650,034
Website: www.jivamaterials.com
SEIS/EIS? Yes, EIS
About: Jiva Materials is developing naturally derived alternatives to the synthetic materials used in traditional circuit boards.
The materials inside devices like computers and phones are largely non-recyclable and end up in landfill. These are one of the most persistent sources of electronic waste. Jiva’s bio-based alternatives are designed to change that, replacing those harmful synthetic resins and fibreglass with materials that can be cleanly separated and disposed of at end of life.
Where to invest: Europe Republic
2. Tempty Foods
How much are they raising: €355,036
Website: www.tempty-foods.com
SEIS/EIS? N/A
About: Tempty Foods is using mycelium, the root-like network of fungi, to create a new category of food that doesn’t imitate meat, but instead lets the ingredient speak for itself.
The market is crowded with products trying to replicate the taste and texture of something they’re not, but Tempty’s approach is refreshingly straightforward. Mycelium is naturally rich in umami, deeply flavourful and it’s a bet that the future of alternative food is about finding ingredients genuinely worth eating.
Where to invest: Europe Republic
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3. Polymarket
How much are they raising: N/A
Website: www.polymarket.com
SEIS/EIS? N/A
About: Polymarket is a prediction-market platform that lets users trade on the outcomes of real-world events from economic data to sports and geopolitics.
With a large and active user base already trading on hundreds of live markets, the platform has established itself as one of the most closely watched sources of real-time probability data on the Internet. It’s cited by journalists, researchers and policymakers as a genuine signal of where informed opinion is settling.
Where to invest: Crowdcube
4. Ramp
How much are they raising: N/A
Website: www.ramp.com
SEIS/EIS? N/A
About: Ramp is a financial operations platform that brings corporate cards, expense management and bill payments together in one place.
Finance teams often have to use multiple tools to get a complete picture of where money is going and the friction that it creates is both time-consuming and expensive. Ramp removes that complexity, replacing the patchwork of legacy systems with a single platform built around visibility and control.
Where to invest: Crowdcube
5. The Sardar Co
How much are they raising: N/A
Website: www.thesardarco.com
SEIS/EIS? Yes, EIS
About: The Sardar Co makes premium beard care products rooted in Sikh heritage, drawing on centuries of tradition around beard grooming to create a natural, UK-made range.
The brand brings a genuine cultural story to a category that has often lacked one, combining that heritage with natural formulations and a commitment to quality that translates well beyond its origins.
Where to invest: Crowdcube
