Sussex firm sowing the seeds for a greener future

A Sussex entrepreneur is sowing the seeds for a greener future with his firm Urban Forage, which has been aided by a Start Up Loan via the British Business Bank.

The company was founded in 2021 by Christian Amys, who had appeared in the BBC's Masterchef in 2019, and its products are now used in restaurants and bars across Brighton.

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After being made redundant from his job as a Michelin-starred chef due to the pandemic, Amys began to explore edible plants, their benefits, and where to find them.

And in just a few months, he had a small community of clients and followers, which led him to start a career in sustainable foraging. Supported by a Start Up Loan, Urban Forage was formed in a bid to be Brighton’s best wild food supplier.

Such small businesses are key to advancing the UK's net zero targets.

"Harvesting only what we need, with minimal impact, is the ethos of Urban Forage," he explained.

"There are so many ingredients growing naturally around us, which we can source to create delicious dishes. Taste and freshness are absolutely compatible with sustainability and cost-effectiveness, you’ve just got to know what to look for.

“As soon as I realised my business idea had legs, securing funding was crucial.

"Being accepted for a loan validated our vision, but also equipped us to operate responsibly.

"Start Up Loans’ support has been instrumental in allowing us to nurture a business that truly gives back to the earth and our community. We're not just picking plants; we're planting the seeds for a greener future."

Today, the business is also an education centre for sustainable wild foraging.

Its focus is on sustainable practices and he educates people on the laws and unwritten laws which impact foraging activity in the UK.

Richard Bearman, the managing director of small business lending at the British Business Bank said: "We are immensely proud to support the entrepreneurial spirit within communities that traditionally face barriers to financing.

"It is our firm belief that by providing access to financing, we are not only fostering innovation but also empowering individuals to create sustainable enterprises that contribute positively to our economy and society.

"Urban Forage exemplifies our commitment. Christian Amys has now established a thriving, eco-conscious business, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Start Up Loans programme."

Since its inception in 2012, Start Up Loans has delivered over 782 loans, worth more than £8.2m of funding to unemployed or economically inactive business owners in the South East.

The Start Up Loans programme is operated by The Start-Up Loans Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Business Bank.