Oxford Mindfulness Centre launches Crowdcube fundraising initiative to help create a world without the devastating effects of depression

Programme seeks to reduce the £11 billion business burden of depression

Oxford Mindfulness Centre (OMC) has launched the first crowdfund pitch to fight mental illness and depression.  Hosted by Crowdcube, the pitch has a target of £500,000.  It will be used to escalate Oxford Mindfulness Centre's breakthrough research programmes, and share existing knowledge by recruiting trainers, clinicians, carers and mentors, benefiting existing and future generations of depression sufferers.  3 million Britons suffer from depression costing the UK economy £11 billion in lost  productivity.

Commenting Professor Mark Williams stated:  "Our vision of a world without the devastating effects of depression is realistic IF we can share and progress our knowledge.  This requires finance. The recent breakthroughs are all exciting and fundamental developments that will give hope to millions who are faced with a condition that, until now, has often been a life sentence.  We need finance to share our proven expertise fast enough to stop people suffering needlessly.  Ultimately it is our aim that anyone in any part of the world can access treatment for free at any moment once they have learnt the techniques."

Entrepreneur Peter Thornton Branches Out into Online Estate Agency

Businessman ventures from car comparison to housing market

Internet entrepreneur Peter Thornton is taking his experience of running successful global car comparator Vroom Vroom Vroom and has invested in setting up online estate agent Houses.co.uk.

The Essex-based start-up, which has been co-founded by estate agent Russell Bennett, will save house sellers thousands of pounds in estate agency commissions.

Having acquired the domain name houses.co.uk for around £40,000 Thornton and Bennett have invested further, as well as sourcing outside investment totalling £50,000 in start-up funds and an additional £50,000 in working capital to launch the new service.

Thornton's knowledge of the online retail sector combined with Bennett's experience in the estate agency market makes for a formidable pairing which has quickly seen the website gain traffic and sign-ups.

Angel CoFund continues to back Koji Drinks

The healthy adult soft drink raises £150k as it launches in the UK

Koji Drinks, the premium, sparkling soft drinks brand, has completed a successful follow-on funding round of £150k from the Angel CoFund. Future Drinks Company, the makers of Koji, who were one of the first companies to receive funding from the Government-backed fund back in May 2012, launched Koji Drinks to the grocery trade this month.  This brings the total funding to date to £500k, following a £350k first round by the Angel CoFund, Wren Capital and Arion One.

The Bristol-based company has developed an innovative production process, unique to KOJI, that infuses a complex extract of natural fruits and botanicals into spring water producing a range of delicious soft drinkswithout the need for adding large amounts of sugar. This is in response to the growing demand for healthier adult-style refreshments. Recognising the importance of the product, the Angel CoFund, a £100m Government-backed investment fund, worked with angel syndicates to back Future Drinks in their endeavour to remove sugar and sweeteners from the soft drink market. This latest funding will be used to support the re-launch of Koji Drinks and continue the team's work.