UCL supported startup receives $1.2m in seed funding from Google

Afro haircare brand, Afrocenchix, launched by two UCL entrepreneurs, has been backed by Google in a $1.2m Seed Round and named one of the "hottest Black-led startups in Europe". UCL alumnus Rachael Twumasi-Corson and former UCL staff member, Joycelyn Mate, bonded over the lack of suitable haircare products for afro hair - as most products on the market either didn't work or were full of toxic chemicals. The entrepreneurs, who originally met as undergraduates, have also suffered from alopecia, hair breakage, eczema and low confidence, so decided to make their own products which are natural, free from toxins, Fairtrade and vegan. And in 2010, they registered the business, Afrocenchix. To further their ambitions, Racheal and Joycelyn, entered the UCL Bright Ideas competition in 2015 (now Build your own business 3: Launch your business) and won. With this award they joined BaseKX, UCL's entrepreneurship hub, where they received support to grow the business. Afrocenchix has since gone on to win several awards including the "Best Natural Hair Brand" in both the Precious Hair and Beauty Awards and the BBFA Awards.