Fatlab Designs carves out investment from family business

A Warwickshire start-up business which specialises in the design and manufacture of engraved, carved and 3D printed artisan products has received investment from a fellow family business.

Leask Advisory Solutions (LeaskAS), which is run by Julia Leask and has been operating in the region since 2013, has backed Fatlab Designs with seed funding and business advice.

Fatlab Designs was started by David Leask in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and he is now beginning to grow and market the business more proactively.

The support is aimed at helping the business fuel growth, innovation, and collaboration within the bespoke and personalised gift market.

The financial support has funded additional fibre and CO2 laser engravers and upgrades to its CNC machining capacity, as well as the provision of a cloud finance system (Xero) to streamline the accounting and bookkeeping processes as well as boosting the company's cash flow and working capital.

David said: “There is real potential for Fatlab Designs to grow and really make a mark in the high-end, high-value area of the market. We’re much more artisan than we are high volume.

“We’re working in the business to consumer market but also very much in the B2B space too. If companies want their logo on a bespoke product or gift, we can do it whether it is for a single item or large batch.

“I can see an opportunity for growth and it’s great that our fellow family business, LeaskAS, has been able to support in this way.”

Julia said: “LeaskAS is here to support businesses with their growth plans through advice and, also, accessing funding.