Aussie scalp care brand Straand secures $4 million, led by Harvey Family Office

Australia’s first microbiome-focused scalp care brand has revealed that it has set its sights on driving further international expansion, after announcing that it has secured $4 million in funding through investments from Harvey Family Office and existing investor Unilever Ventures.

In 2023, STRAAND, which was established by five co-founders Jeremy Hunt, Sarah Hamilton, Tim Brown, Nick Morris and Meagan Pate and launched to market in mid-2022, entered into a multi-regional deal with global beauty chain Sephora.

The deal will see the brand roll into more than 70 stores by early 2024 across Australia, the United Kingdom and South East Asia. 

STRAAND has also soft-launched in the US market with retail partners Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Amazon.

The scalp care treatment brand serves to nurture the scalp’s microbiome, addressing common issues such as dandruff, irritation and oiliness.

STRAAND co-founder Sarah Hamilton said they were excited to secure the funding and to have such a strong, strategic group of investors who love the category, scalp care/dandruff, and the global view on growth with a focus on China and the US.

“I was lucky enough to be invited into the STRAAND team by Jeremy Hunt and Tim Brown who had sold Sand & Sky and Coco & Eve into China,” she said. 

“The co-founding team identified a gap in dandruff/scalp issues that were maligned by consumers and only had chemical solutions.

“STRAAND was created with a natural, efficacious solution in mind and a focus on gen-Z or next-generation crown care.”

With a team of 11 currently based in Melbourne, in just 12 months STRAAND has grown its science-led, functional line of products to the forefront of the market which is estimated to be valued at $102 billion by 2025.

When asked about STRAAND’s goal when it comes to global expansion, Hamilton said the brand has been a global first company.

“We love that we have proven the concept in Australia but our sights are firmly on international growth, the recent launches in China, South East Asia, the US, and the UK have been carefully considered as we cater to every strand,” she said. 

“Crown care and scalp issues are not geographically limited so we are playing to our strengths where the team has operated before when determining our market entry plan.”

STRAAND’s range currently includes four key prebiotic scalp balancing products, including award-winning and triple sell-out product The Crown Fix Serum, along with a premium range of accessories.

The brand also has a strong pipeline of new products launching globally in 2024.

Hamilton said Sephora is the global leader in beauty retail, gives immediate credibility to any brand, and is a huge supporter of growing and establishing indie brands. 

“We are beyond humbled by their interest and support in STRAAND and their reach is unparalleled globally,” she said.

“Given the success of the current range and wanting to introduce and hero them in the marketplace place we used 2023 to really educate the market on the four hero products we have.

“As we move into 2024 I am excited to share our 2024 calendar is full but rooted in scalp care and new product launches which we know leads to healthier hair and healthier scalps. 

“Our retail partners have been helpful in guiding our plans given current trends so we know that the launches will be successful.”