Source: AP Brands

AP Brands will use the funds to target growth by making “key hires” to its team

Snacking startup AP Brands is about to launch its fourth and final crowdfunding campaign as it seeks £500k to support a national rollout.

The crisps, popcorn and pork crackling producer will hit Crowdcube on 12 August, offering 10% equity – valuing the company at £5m.

AP Brands plans use the funds raised to target growth by making “key hires” to its sales team – including a brand and export manager – as well as expanding its product range and marketing activity.

The company, which claims to have achieved turnover of more than £1m, is hoping to reach £5m in sales in the next three years by further tapping into the UK snack market, worth £3.2bn.

“We are ready to turbocharge our growth and take this business to the next level,” said founder Thomas Lock. “We aim to become a major player in the snack industry.”

Since launching in 2013, AP Brands has sold over £5m worth of snack bags, with listings in Asda, Tesco and Waitrose among others.

AP Brands has previously held three investment rounds, raising a total of £489k from 638 investors – with the funds used to launch and grow its four brands: The British Crisp Co, The British Popcorn Co, Create a Crisp and Awfully Posh.

This latest funding push, however, would be its last, AP Brands said, as it planned to achieve a trade sale or private equity exit within three years.