Gloucester start-up Tallow+ Ash entered The Next Unicorn crowdcube funding initiative that initially saw 780 businesses apply, shortlisted to a final 20 and then the final five. The campaign is backed by Brewdog co-founder, James Watt.

Last week, the five businesses flew to Las Vegas for the finals at the rooftop Brewdog bar.

James Watt Brewdog CEO and co-founder said: "I am delighted to announce that I have invested an initial £1m across all five finalists. I had intended to only invest in three of the businesses and send two home empty handed but all five were so brilliant that I felt I simply had to back them all."

The five businesses are: Tallow + Ash and Basket who both gained a £250,000 investment each. Yum Bug secured a £200,000 investment and Mous and UNCOUTH a £150,000 investment each.

"I am so excited to work with these entrepreneurs and do all I can to help them to build world-class businesses. I have been so incredibly impressed by the quality of all the entrants to the competition. I want to say a massive thanks to Dom Joly, Codie A. Sanchez, Matt Cooper, Evelyn McDonald and Lauren Carrol for their help in selecting the eventual winners."

"What's really exciting is that very soon members of the public will be able to invest in these outstanding businesses too. Each of the winning companies is available on Crowdcube, where people can invest pound-for-pound on the same terms as me.

Ciara McGurk, co-founder at Tallow + Ash said: "We won £250,000 to kickstart the growth of the business. The last few weeks have been some of the proudest and most exciting in my life, and it's such an honour to have James Watt as a co-owner of the brand. We are so excited to work and learn from him!"

Tallow + Ash has developed a range of clean chemical fragranced, laundry shampoo products, launching later this month.