Team GB cyclist races past £1m crowdfunding target with cycling kit range

Professional cyclist Yanto Barker’s cycling apparel brand Le Col is celebrating the close of a successful equity crowdfunding campaign, during which the business raised over £1.15m on Crowdcube.

Surpassing its initial funding target of £1m, the campaign attracted backing from 356 investors in exchange for a share of the 22.38% equity stake offered.

Founded in 2009 by Barker, a former Team GB cyclist, Le Col manufactures and retails premium clothing and accessories to cyclists in over 10 countries – directly and through specialist retailers.

Barker used his experience as a professional cyclist when building the brand, and with a “desire to bring the attitude and approach from his sport into the business”, says he developed products which aim to be “the highest quality, most desirable, performance cycling clothing”.

The funding raised will be used to drive brand awareness of Le Col through the development of its marketing channels, entering new markets and taking on more employees.