Naked Wines Australia has reported that $15 million was invested by its Angels in the production of wine by independent Australian winemakers in 2015, up 55 per cent on 2014 figures.
The Newport-based online wine company, which employs 45 people and has sold over two and a half million bottles of wine this year, drives investment from over 40,000 "Angel" customers in Australia to independent winemakers, in exchange for discounted prices on high quality, small batch wines.
Luke Jecks, CEO, Naked Wines International and Naked Wines Australia founder, says the company has built its business model around eliminating industry middlemen, enabling independent winemakers to produce high quality wine at accessible prices.
“Raising $15m is an amazing achievement for any start up. However, as a crowd-funded business, the funds that we raise from Angel supporters are invested back into independent winemakers all over Australia.
"Reaching this kind of critical mass means that we can really make a difference in the Battle for the Australian Wine industry. We believe in a better future for Aussie winemakers.”
According to Jecks, in recent years, the fight for a share of the Aussie wine wallet has intensified with the rise of online retail as a key sales channel for wine. Naked Wines is, in response, striving to change the way Australians buy wine.
Read more about the Naked Wines' innovative business model in the Food & Drink Business January-February issue.
