Baboo Gelato, the award-winning artisan gelato brand founded on the Dorset coast, has launched a £300,000 crowdfunding campaign to transform itself from a regional favorite into a national name.
The company, known for its small-batch gelato, fruit sorbets and its wildly popular dog-friendly frozen snack Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, has launched its campaign on Crowdcube. The boost will remain active for three weeks, with investments starting from just £10.
Founder Annie Hanbury, who built the company over nearly a decade, said demand for premium ice cream is growing quickly. “The super-premium market is growing at eight percent annually and consumers are increasingly looking for indulgent treats,” she said. “We’ve spent years building Baboo Gelato in the South West and now we want to share it with the whole country.”
The company has received a number of exceptional awards. Co-founder Sam Hanbury said Baboo won two prestigious Three Star Great Taste Awards this year, bringing its total haul to 51 Great Taste stars. Meanwhile, trade sales have almost tripled since 2021, reaching £646,000, helped by a new partnership with a major South West distributor.
Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, their dairy-free frozen pet treat, has become a breakout hit in the fast-growing pet market – now worth over £10 billion in the UK. The product is sold nationally through a major pet wholesaler and has won several awards, including Best Pet Treat of the Year in 2024.
Baboo Gelato operates six seaside outlets across Dorset and sells through almost 400 stockists, generating annual sales of £1.2 million, with strong peaks during the spring and summer tourist seasons.
The crowdfunding campaign offers a range of rewards for investors, from vouchers and tote bags to free ice cream, lab tours and even the Willy Wonka-style opportunity to design a bespoke ice cream flavor.
Further details can be found at: https://www.crowdcube.com/companies/qDmLrl/pitches/l8wODq=
