Founded in 2004 by Hawke's Bay-based clinical nutritionist, Ben Warren, and officially re-launched in 2015. Photo / Supplied
Holistic health company BePure has announced plans to raise up to $2m of capital, through online investment platform Snowball Effect, to further its product development, research capabilities and expansion locally and into overseas markets.
Founded in 2004 by Hawke's Bay-based clinical nutritionist, Ben Warren, and officially re-launched in 2015, BePurenow encompasses three businesses within its offering - BePure Health, BePure Clinic and Eve Health.
Collectively, the BePure Group of companies enables New Zealanders to take back ownership of their health via education, premium nutritional supplements, personalised clinical consultations available in person or through video conferencing, and at-home collection health testing.
BePure's performance-based products are also the first and only in New Zealand to be BSCG (Banned Substances Control Group) Certified Drug Free, offering security for athletes across all sporting codes, including Olympians and national sports players.
The group has grown significantly over the past few years, from a combined revenue of $2.8 million in FY16 to $7.5 million in FY19.
BePure plans to use the capital it raises on developing new products and services across all three businesses.
This includes significantly expanding its premium line of nutritional supplements, launching further at-home collection tests via Eve Health and delivering a new corporate wellness offering via the BePure Clinic business.
With expansion both locally and overseas on the horizon, BePure is also planning to invest in increasing inventory stock levels to deliver this.
With more than 7500 customers currently signed up to receive products regularly through BePure's subscription model, as well as more than150 retail partners across New Zealand, the business also plans to introduce BePure's premium products and services to China, Australia and the United States.
In 2017, the global wellness market was estimated to be worth US$4.2 trillion, as a result of modern world health concerns and an exponential increase in the number of consumers wanting to take a more active role in maintaining good health.
Chief executive officer Andrew Laloli said the capital raised will help BePure further pioneer scientifically driven holistic health within a space it has already become such a significant player within.
"With the global wellness industry surging, and as our business continues to grow year on year, the time is right for us to really accelerate the development of our products and services while significantly increasing our distribution locally and overseas."
Warren said his prior experience guiding clients on their health journeys inspired him to start BePure to provide products that truly met their needs and supported them to live with better health, with a better quality of life, for longer.
"We have a strong mission to improve the future of health for New Zealanders, and beyond. We're excited about this next stage of growth, and what it means for the holistic health solutions we provide our customers."
Snowball Effect co-founder and CEO Simeon Burnett says, "BePure's well-established reputation in New Zealand, coupled with its unique combination of products and services, provides an appealing opportunity for those looking to invest in the health sector."