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A former Grazia editor’s beautytech startup has been backed by Unilever

London-based startup Blow LTD, which provides on-demand beauty services in the South East, has announced it has raised £3.5m to support its expansion into two major UK cities.

Investment from the round, which was led by Unilever’s venture capital arm Unilever Ventures, will be funneled into the development of the startup’s tech platform and see it launching in Manchester and Birmingham next month.

Coming off the back of a reported 20% month-on-month growth in its initial London and Home Counties markets, Blow also has ambitions to scale and has set its sights on expansion into an unnamed international city by the end of the year.

Founded by former Elle and Grazia Editor, Fiona McIntosh and Balderton’s Dharmash Mistry, the beautytech business allows users to order salon-style services direct to their homes and offices, including blow dries, make-up and nail services, from 7am until late evening. Blow also operates two fully featured beauty bars in Covent Garden and Canary Wharf.

The funding is set to be the starting gun on an ambitious period of expansion for the startup after it also announced that former Just Eat Divisional Director, Brian Hickey, would be joining at Blow’s new Chief Executive Officer to spearhead its scaling efforts. Co-Founder Mistry, who is the current CEO, will become Chairman.

Following the investment and senior team reshuffle, he commented: “We are delighted to announce the £3.5m fundraise, led by Unilever Ventures to further invest in our tech platform & and accelerate roll out into new markets.

“Moving to the next scaling stage, we are excited by the new talent joining the business - including our new CEO Brian Hickey, from Just Eat. Fiona and I look forward to working alongside him to create the new UK tech blockbuster.”

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