INDUSTRIAL cleaning equipment maker Eco Blast has secured a £100,000 funding offer from a number of private angels from the Belfast-based Halo Angel Plus Network, which is supported by Invest NI and IntertradeIreland.
Eco Blast, founded last year by mechanical design engineer Jason McKenna (26), manufactures a unique wet/dry shot blasting system for industrial surface preparation, in areas such as shipping, oil and gas, marine and restoration industries.
Its unique and patented selling point is that the company has combined two systems into one machine – working from wet to dry at the flick of a switch, with superior quality - made to last.
The company, based at new premises in Larne, has secured its first major UK dealer who will export and sell its products within Britain and Europe, and the funding will allow the company to strengthen its team. It has also received support from Invest NI towards key hires.
Managing director Jason McKenna said: “Standing up in front of an audience of business angels was rather daunting, but the Halo team with their training and support really helped us make a success of this.
"We are fully confident in our technology and have a great team. With this funding in place, we can set up our production line in Larne, fulfil our backlog of orders and the plan is to create 10 new jobs over the next three years as the business continues to grow.”
Ken Montgomery, one of the investing Halo angels, said: “The new Halo Plus process has really helped here. Some of us first saw Eco Blast on stage at a traditional investor meeting, while others picked up the opportunity via the new Halo brief – a 90-second elevator pitch delivered by e-mail.
"This allowed us to assemble a good team who have both invested and can add their experience to help grow the company.”
