An Aberdeen entrepreneur is set to launch a £200,000 crowdfunding drive to develop a range of stylish safety clothing.
Sooz Chirino, founder of SanSooz, aims to use the funds to manufacturer a range of reflective garments and accessories that make the wearer visible in darkness but which doesn’t look like dowdy work wear.
Ms Chirino’s distinctive designs either have the reflective elements the same colour as the garment, or included within the designs as part of the patterns.
“I had the idea about six years ago,” said Ms Chirino.
“Back then the only people who wore hi vis garments were workmen and the odd jogger.
“I identified the problem which is that we all want to look good and we don’t want to wear hi vis.”
The appeal on the Crowdfunder.co.uk is backed by Angus Council and will be launched next week.
Pledges start from £5 up to £20,000 for a corporate sponsorship.
People who take part in the fundraising won’t be buying a stake in SanSooz, but pledges over £35 will receive higher value vouchers to buy stock once it is made.
Ms Chirino said: “Crowdfunding ticked the boxes. The first point is we raise the money. Secondly people would get to know who we are and what we are doing. And third, we can offer the rewards as credit to spend on our website when we launch. We would already be building a customer base. “Crowdfunding will enable us to fund our clothing and accessories for volume production. We can also continue with our research and development as we have loads more product ideas in the pipeline.”
The drive is supported by Angus Council, which has a portal on the Crowdfunder.co.uk website to support entrepreneurs. SanSooz has also benefited from working with the academic matchmaking agency, Interface, which connected Ms Chirino to the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee.
“They helped me take my kitchen table samples to the next stage and that has led on to what we are starting to create now,” said Ms Chirino.
“We can create any reflective element in any shape and colour.”
Shelley Hague, business manager at Angus Council said: “The products are great; we think they will be a great success with kids and adults alike.”
