Black Female-Owned Vegan Haircare Brand Secures Dragon’s Den Investment From Sara Davies

Following Kam Davis’s appearance on the BBC TV show Dragons’ Den, which gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their brand to investors, her vegan haircare brand Nylah’s Naturals received GBP £50,000 (approx. US$68,000) funding in exchange for a 20% stake in the company from Dragon investor, businesswoman and entrepreneur, Sara Davies.

U.K.-based Nylah’s Naturals was launched back in 2013 by founder and CEO Kam Davis with her daughter serving as an inspiration, as she has eczema, making her scalp sensitive to the existing products in the market.

As a result, Davis created haircare products that are dedicated to taking care of afro-textured and curly hair, thus promoting inclusivity and shattering the stereotypical standards of beauty.

The 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and zero artificial fragrances haircare line offer customers a range of hair care products including shampoo, a botanical restorative conditioner, a leave-in Cream, and seed-based hair oil.

According to the website, Davis wrote: “I wanted my daughter to know, from her earliest memory, that she, with her lovely brown skin, soft kinky hair and pronounced African features, was also, the very definition of beautiful.”

With the help of a cosmetic scientist, a trichologist, and a traditional herbalist, the hypoallergenic products are planet-friendly—97% of its ingredients from natural sources.

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity,” Davis said in a statement. “Being an entrepreneur does come with stress and uncertainty, but having your work recognised at this level brings an immense amount of joy and a real confidence boost, especially when the support is from an amazingly successful female entrepreneur. I am truly inspired by Sara Davies and her story of success and absolutely delighted that she is my investor. With Sara on my side, I feel reassured. I know the journey is going to be tough, but I will make a success of this. There is no other option! “

Being an entrepreneur does come with stress and uncertainty, but having your work recognised at this level brings an immense amount of joy and a real confidence boost, especially when the support is from an amazingly successful female entrepreneur

Kam Davis, founder and CEO, Nylah’s Naturals

Last year, Nylah’s Naturals won the award for Hair Product Provider of the Year by Corporate LiveWire South England Prestige Awards. Apart from this, the brand has been awarded the best new hair and happy care brand.

Davis added that she pitched her project on the show hoping to inspire other budding entrepreneurs with a similar background to do the same. “Nylah’s Naturals has always been about authenticity and diversity, and I hope to raise awareness about those groups of entrepreneurs who have been systematically underfunded.”

With the funding, Davis plans to scale up her R&D, secure a high street listing with Superdrug, and add new products to the line that will be best suited for all kinds of curls.

By pitching my project to the Den, I was hoping to not just receive the investment, but create a path for other aspiring entrepreneurs who are from a similar background that are to come after me. Nylah’s Naturals has always been about authenticity and diversity, and I hope to raise awareness about those groups of entrepreneurs who have been systematically underfunded

Kam Davis, founder and CEO, Nylah’s Naturals

According to research, Black entrepreneurs have extremely low investment opportunities compared to their white counterparts, with just 38% receiving VC funding over the past decade.

Read: From Food To Fashion, An Increasing Number Of African Americans Are Adopting Vegan Lifestyles

Lead image courtesy of Melan Mag.