What do you do when nearly three-quarters of your customers close overnight? How do you maintain operations in those conditions? Accessing the Future Fund has helped this recycling and clean-tech company stay on track with its green vision.
Success Story
| Region/Nation | North West |
|---|---|
| Programme | Future Fund |
Read what it had to say in this Future Fund case study.
British Business Bank: Can you tell us what your company does?
Alexander Guslisty, Founder of Big Atom: Big Atom is a clean-tech recycling company with a vision to create a circular economy for polymer materials. At present, we recycle waste tyres, but our mission is to convert plastic and rubber waste into secondary raw materials.
The coronavirus has affected a huge number of businesses across the UK. What problems were you facing as a result of the outbreak and what made you apply to the Future Fund?
Ninety-eight per cent of our customer base is garages and MOT centres in the North West of England. Due to COVID-19, 70% of these businesses shut, which obviously had a huge impact on our access to recyclable materials and revenue.
How long did the application process take? Did you need any support?
The application process took a matter of weeks. No support was required.
Accessing the Future Fund meant we were able to maintain operations and continue on our mission to convert plastic and rubber waste into secondary raw materials. Alexander Guslisty Founder of Big Atom
What advice would you give to other businesses that are applying to the Future Fund?
Not so much advice but a strong recommendation that any business struggling with the financial impact of COVID-19 should consider applying to the Future Fund.
How has the Future Fund helped your organisation to weather the outbreak? And what might have happened if you hadn’t received the money?
The Future Fund enables us to keep the company operating as normal and continue on our mission to help the environment by creating a circular economy for polymer materials.
If we hadn’t received money via the Future Fund, we’d had to have sought investment from alternative sources.
Quick links
More success stories
Read a success story about Shropshire Festivals
When Beth Heath used a Bounce Back Loan to protect her business in Shropshire, the loan not only boosted the cashflow of her award-winning festival company, but also gave her an opportunity to support her local community during lockdown.
Read a success story about Thomas Paine Hotel
Funding a fresh start: how Recovery Loan Scheme helped ex-offenders find jobs and support the hospitality industry.
Read a success story about Diversity Business Incubator (DBI)
DBI Supporting underrepresented minority ethnic groups during the pandemic