Launched in October 2017, Hydro-Flux is a manufacturing company based in Batley, that develops innovations for swimming pool installation and maintenance. This includes FlowBright, a revolutionary swimming pool lighting system that it developed following extensive research and development.
Working from his kitchen table, founding director Michael Burnham initially struggled with how to take the theory for an innovation, that could change the way swimming pool lighting systems are installed across the world, and put it into practice.
Hydro-Flux wanted to develop a range of products that would meet with the challenges faced by swimming pool trade installers. Having recognised a gap in the market, the company had a product idea but was struggling to raise the funds that would help to take it from kitchen table to order books, creating a credible organisation.
The tools required to manufacture the product were expensive, and this was creating a barrier to the success of the business and its progression. Without support it simply could not get off the ground.
Hydro-Flux turned to AD:VENTURE, the business support programme for start-up and young companies across Leeds City Region, and BEF to solve their finance conundrum. AD:VENTURE delivered development support and a match-funded grant of almost £20,000 while BEF delivered £80,000 in start-up and growth funding. Thanks to the funding, Hydro-Flux went from kitchen table to furnished offices almost overnight.
Hydro-Flux are now attracting huge interest from contacts across the world. Having secured its first two distributors, it is now exploring partnership opportunities with organisations in Dubai, British Columbia, Romania and Turkey.
Director at Hydro-Flux, Michael Burnham, said:
“There really is nothing like FlowBright on the market and as we have taken the time and effort to patent the technology, we know we have a real niche that we now need to capitalise upon.”