London-based beauty tech firm yuv has closed a $12 million Series A funding round to advance its smart hair colouring system. The investment was led by Nineyards Equity, with participation from existing investor VNV Global and founder Francisco Gimenez. This capital will fuel the company's mission to modernize the professional hair colour market through its unique technology platform.
Revolutionizing the Salon Experience
At the heart of yuv's innovation is the yuv Lab, an app-connected dispensing system for salons and freelance stylists. This device replaces single-use colour tubes with sustainable, refillable aluminium cartridges. The system delivers precise, custom-mixed formulations at the touch of a button, ensuring consistency and reducing product waste.
The platform integrates patented hardware with AI-enabled software and high-performance, Swiss-developed colour formulas. This combination is optimized for unparalleled customization, performance, and safety in a professional setting. By leveraging intelligent data, yuv empowers stylists to create an infinite spectrum of colours with confidence.
The benefits for beauty professionals extend beyond creative freedom to operational efficiency. By adopting yuv's refillable model, salons can substantially cut down on material waste and reduce inventory costs. This streamlined approach supports sustainability goals while simplifying daily workflows for stylists.
Strategic Investment and Market Confidence
The funding signals strong investor confidence in yuv's disruptive potential within the beauty sector. Eric Sävendahl of Nineyards Equity noted that yuv brings true digital transformation by solving real pain points for professionals. This investment validates the company's approach of combining hardware, software, and colour into a single platform.
This financial milestone follows a high-profile success on the BBC show Dragons' Den. The company secured a record-breaking investment from entrepreneurs Steven Bartlett and Sara Davies, who each invested £250,000. This public endorsement highlighted the commercial appeal and innovative nature of yuv's technology.
Founder and CEO Francisco Gimenez stated that the new backing strengthens the company's commitment to its core mission. He emphasized that the investment will help reshape professional hair colour through sustainability, design, and technology. This vision is central to yuv's strategy as it moves into its next growth phase.
Future Growth and Global Expansion
With the fresh capital, yuv is poised for significant expansion, focusing first on scaling its operations across the United Kingdom. The company has also set its sights on a major international milestone with a planned US launch in 2026. This strategic roadmap is designed to establish yuv as a global leader in beauty tech.
Yuv's expansion is timed to capitalize on a booming market, with the global salon hair care industry projected to reach nearly $342 billion by 2032. This market potential provides fertile ground for disruptive technologies that offer efficiency and sustainability. The company is well-positioned to capture a share of this expanding sector.
The company's subscription-based model is designed for scalability, making the technology accessible to a broad network of users. This approach allows both established salons and independent freelance stylists to adopt the platform easily. Yuv aims to build a worldwide community of professionals empowered by its advanced colouring system.
In conclusion, yuv's $12 million funding round marks a pivotal moment for the company and the professional hair care industry. With its groundbreaking smart lab system, strong investor backing, and a clear strategy for global expansion, yuv is set to redefine industry standards. The company's focus on combining sustainability with technology positions it as a key innovator.