-Laylo has raised $1.3m seed funding in a round led by Anotherway Ventures.
- Laylo creates premium boxed wines; the sorts of wines that would usually cost £15 per bottle in a specialist merchant (vs. £11.66 per bottle equivalent in box).
- They work with a Master of Wine, Clem Yates to source crowd-pleasing styles from independent producers.
- Each box of Laylo generates 90% less carbon than glass bottles and stays fresh for 6 weeks from opening; perfect for drinking 'by the glass'.
- The brand was founded in November 2020 by former Naked Wines Marketing Director and COO Laura Riches and Laura Rosenberger and is now stocked in Whole Foods and leading independent wine merchants.
- Initially exclusively sold D2C via their website, the wines have won rave reviews from critics and customers.
- In 2023 the team expanded into on-trade, supplying wine to hospitality groups such as Upham Inns to serve by the glass and carafe.
- They will use the funds from this raise to accelerate growth in the on-trade and grocery.

Think boxed wine, think cheap plonk. Or student house parties. Or your parents in the 1980s…

It doesn't need to be that way. 

Laylo source premium parcels of wine from brilliant, independent producers, then wrap them up in boxes that can be proudly displayed on your countertop. 

The brand was created in lockdown as a side hustle. Former Naked Wines senior executives Laura Riches and Laura Rosenberger spotted a gap in the market for more premium boxed wine, which could be enjoyed 'by the glass' at home.

Laura Riches says: “I had a 'eureka' moment during the summer of 2020 when I was looking for ways to enjoy the odd glass of wine, without committing to a bottle. I discovered that not only does boxed wine stay fresh for 6 weeks once opened, there's also no technical winemaking reason why the liquid needs to be lower quality. It's just an outdated perception.”

Internationally boxed wine is widely accepted. In the Nordics it's been adopted by the government monopolies as their preferred format and represents over 60% of sales. In France, over 30% of wine sold in the supermarkets is boxed. Here in the UK, it's just 4% of wine sales.

Laylo has already won a cult following of wine drinkers. Their wines score a 4.8* rating on Trustpilot, with customers citing the quality, design and sustainability credentials of the wines as reasons for switching to Laylo's boxes. Amongst other accolades, they were named 'Brand of the Future' by White Company founder Chrissie Rucker at the everywoman awards.

Last year Laylo expanded distribution into the on-trade, where the sustainability and commercial benefits of the format are making it a no-brainer for venues serving by the glass and carafe. Laylo have also introduced kegs, for venues that prefer wine on draught. 

The team has already won a growing base of accounts, from Upham Inns gastropubs to immersive VR chain Otherworld, with several bigger on-trade listings due to launch later this year. They've also secured listings in Whole Foods and other independent wine merchants. 

Laura Riches says: “It's amazing to see how naturally our boxes have found a home in trade, particularly casual dining restaurants. For the operators there are heaps of sustainability and operational benefits, but I'm most proud of the quality we're able to deliver. I love the idea of the end consumer drinking a glass of wine that genuinely blows them away for the price they've paid.”

In April 2024 Laylo closed a $1.3m seed fundraise in a round led by Anotherway Ventures. Other angels joining the round include Michael Casey, former CEO & Chairman of Holland & Barrett.

Nick Clarke, Managing Partner of Anotherway says: “We're proud to be investing in Laylo and backing Laura to change the way premium wine is enjoyed in the UK. We see the potential for category disruption driven by evolving consumer behaviour and a demand for more sustainable offerings. Myself, Jono and Stu are really looking forward to helping Laura challenge the outdated perception of boxed wine!”

The team plan to use the funds to accelerate growth in the on-trade, through marketing and hiring a dedicated sales team.

Following the raise, Laura Riches has stepped into the CEO role, to drive the next phase of Laylo's growth. 

About Anotherway Ventures

Anotherway is an early-stage venture fund that exists to co-create and invest in brands that will define the future.  With a mantra of 'Venture Support not just Venture Capital' it makes for a highly differentiated approach to consumer investment - one based on their own experience as brand specialists and founders.

Founded in 2023 by friends Nick Clarke, Stu Finlayson and Jono Holt they are full of practical ideas, collaborative energy and a belief that a great brand can make the difference between success and failure.