⚡ How is this Start-Up Creating a Fruit Based Protein Revolution?

Morning Innovators ⚡ In less than 5 minutes, we’ll cover…

🥳 The best funding opportunities, events and jobs in the Start-Up world this week
📰 This week’s biggest news stories in the Start-Up world
🍊 How this Start-Up is creating a fruit based protein revolution
🍫 How you can turn a faulty product into a viral sensation
🏘 A tool that helps you build remote team culture

✨ Last week’s most clicked link, was this link taking you through to apply for 1 of Techstars’ 8 open accelerators, with successful applicants getting up to $220,000 in Funding.

Happy hustling,

Rich

🎤 Opportunities + Events

🌳 Sequoia have just raised a $200m Seed fund and a $750m Series A fund - connect with the team here!

🌱 Georgina Smithwick is looking to invest $1.8m into 8 Pre-Seed companies - find out more here!

✈️ London Founder House are flying 7 European Founders to San Francisco for 3 weeks this December with access to SF’s best mentors and hottest tech events, all expenses covered - apply here!

We now have a community of thousands of Start-Ups and Founders, here are the hottest Start-Up job opportunities from the Innovators Uncensored community on our very own Start-Ups Job Board!

💼 Start-Up Jobs

🎬 Creative Strategist, STOCKED
🧪 Operations Assistant, PharmaFootpath
🎨 Product Designer, Allica Bank

🤖 OpenAI-backed Start-Up aims to deliver in-home humanoid robots in 2026. Sifted

🎵 OpenAI reportedly developing new generative music tool. TechCrunch

🚛 Waabi unveils autonomous truck made in partnership with Volvo. TechCrunch
 
🚫 Starling Bank launches AI tool to combat scams. UKTN

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How can you possibly make your customers happy by not giving them the full product they’ve paid for? Milka showed exactly how!

A few years ago, Milka ran their ‘Missing Piece’ campaign. For this campaign, the sold their chocolate bars as normal, except 1 piece was missing. Initially, people were confused. However, when they opened the wrapper, they read that they were able to claim the missing piece through the Milka website. Either for themselves or they could send it to a loved one with a personalised note.

In the end, over 500,000 people mailed the final piece to a loved one with a heartfelt message attached. Not only did this mean more people were trying Milka product, but people were actually sharing this across the internet like crazy!

How can you get your customers to share an unfinished product?

Each week we highlight our favourite tools - either something we’ve been using in our businesses, or tools that our Start-Up community have recommended.

Teem Camp is the Remote Team Culture OS, the only platform that evolves with your team, where you get engaging team-building sessions that improve engagement, retention and morale.

JUCED: The Protein-Powered Drink Shaking Up Fitness Fuel

JUCED is redefining what a protein drink can be. Founded by Jed, JUCED was born out of a passion for health, fitness, and functionality - but with a twist. It’s not just for gym bros or bodybuilders, it’s for anyone who cares about feeling good, looking good, and living well.

Made for both men and women who take their wellbeing seriously, JUCED brings a refreshing, protein-packed functional drink to the market - bridging the gap between sports nutrition and everyday lifestyle. And the best part? It actually tastes as good as it looks.

A One-Man Brand With Big Ambitions

While most founders look for a co-pilot, Jed decided to fly solo - and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m glad I started on my own,” he says. “I want things done properly from day one, and I know exactly how I want them.”

But doing it alone isn’t without its challenges. With a background in sales, Jed had to fast-track his learning in marketing, finance, and legal - calling it a “sharp learning curve” as a one-man band. Still, his hands-on, perfectionist approach has shaped JUCED into something deeply personal - his “baby,” as he puts it.

From Zero to £1,000 in Preorders - Powered by Hustle

JUCED’s first customers came from Jed’s own network - and a serious dose of persistence. He launched the JUCED website, built the Instagram page, and told literally everyone he knew about it.

He documented the process online, creating anticipation with a countdown to launch. By the time the drinks were ready for delivery, he had over £1,000 in preorders, purely from friends, family, and their networks. No ads, no agencies - just organic buzz.

Scaling, One Gym at a Time

Growth hasn’t been easy, but Jed’s got grit. To scale, he’s taken a boots-on-the-ground approach: showing up in gyms, hosting sampling days, and chatting directly with potential customers.

On the B2B side, he’s gone door to door, pitching JUCED to gym owners, cafés, and spas across the UK. The result? JUCED is now stocked in over 20 venues, and counting.

Lessons in Marketing - The Hard Way

One of Jed’s biggest learning moments came from Meta ads. “I pumped hundreds of pounds into ads without much direction, and gained almost nothing,” he admits.

After some painful lessons and a lot of research, he realised that digital ads are a long game - requiring deep understanding, patience, and ongoing refinement. Now, he approaches marketing with a sharper strategy and far less waste.

Bootstrapped to the Bone

Jed has bootstrapped JUCED entirely from his savings, initially budgeting £30,000, but eventually investing closer to £50,000. “Things will never go to plan the first time,” he says. “Everything takes longer and costs more.”

Despite the growing pains, JUCED is now entering its first fundraising round under S/EIS - with Jed reaching out to his network for angel investors and introductions. He mentioned, “If you’re an investor who wants to see the deck, get in touch!”

The Hard Truths of Building a Brand

Jed’s biggest frustration hasn’t been the long hours, it’s been dealing with external partners.
“I’ve been shocked at how many businesses just aren’t good at what they say they do,” he says. From fulfilment companies dropping orders to recipe developers missing the mark, Jed’s learned to trust his gut, and always verify.

His mantra now? “Never assume competence just because someone ‘specialises’ in something.”

Negotiation Is Everything

One of Jed’s biggest lessons could save founders thousands: never accept the first quote.
“Almost every proposal is negotiable,” he says. “I’ve saved thousands just by pushing back - and you can almost always get better terms.”

What He’d Do Differently

If he could go back, Jed would focus earlier on building strong partnerships with people who truly know their craft, and take negotiation just as seriously as branding.

Above all, he’s proud of what JUCED has become: a product born from persistence, perfectionism, and protein.

Next week I’ll be highlighting another awesome Start-Up, as well as sharing all the usuals including funding opportunities, Start-Up news, plus plenty of awesome tips, tricks and tools.

P.S. Connect with me on LinkedIn…