Baboo Gelato, the award-winning artisan ice cream brand founded on the Dorset coast, has launched a £300,000 crowdfunding campaign as it prepares to scale from a regional favourite to a national name.
The business, known for its small-batch gelato, fruit sorbets and its hugely popular dog-friendly frozen treat Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, has opened its campaign on Crowdcube. The raise will remain live for three weeks, with investments starting from just £10.
Founder Annie Hanbury, who built the business over nearly a decade, said demand for premium ice cream is rising fast. “The super-premium market is growing eight per cent per year, and consumers are increasingly looking for indulgent treats,” she said. “We’ve spent years building Baboo Gelato in the South West, and now we want to share it with the whole country.”
The business has enjoyed an exceptional run of accolades. Co-founder Sam Hanbury said Baboo scooped two prestigious Three Star Great Taste Awards this year, bringing its total haul to 51 Great Taste stars. Meanwhile, trade sales have almost tripled since 2021, reaching £646,000, aided by a new partnership with a major South West distributor.
Doggy Doggy Yum Yum, their non-dairy frozen treat for pets, has become a breakout hit in the fast-growing pet market – now worth over £10 billion in the UK. The product is distributed nationwide through a major pet wholesaler and has collected multiple awards, including Best Pet Treat of the Year in 2024.
Baboo Gelato operates six seaside outlets across Dorset and sells through nearly 400 stockists, generating annual sales of £1.2 million, with strong peaks during the spring and summer tourist seasons.
The crowdfunding campaign offers a range of investor rewards, from vouchers and tote bags to free gelato, lab tours and even the Willy Wonka-style opportunity to design a bespoke ice cream flavour.
Further details can be found at: https://www.crowdcube.com/companies/qDmLrl/pitches/l8wODq=
