BrewDog’s co-founder and CEO, James Watt, has announced the final five businesses that have made it to the last stage of his Next Unicorn competition, which aims to discover the next billion-dollar venture. After narrowing down a pool of over 750 participants, the finalists will gather in Las Vegas, where the winners will be revealed and receive a portion of Watt’s initial £1 million investment. The exact amount to be invested in each company will be disclosed during the final event, with a minimum of £100,000 earmarked for each winning venture.

The five finalists are as follows:

1. Basket: An app that enables users to bookmark potential purchases from any website.
2. Mous: A company offering protective cases and accessories for smartphones, headphones, and other consumer tech products.
3. Tallow & Ash: A brand specializing in environmentally friendly laundry shampoos and conditioners.
4. Uncouth: A provider of personalized and prescribed skincare treatments.
5. Yum Bug: A venture offering recipe boxes and snacks made from edible insects.

James Watt, in consultation with his fellow panelists, including comedian Dom Joly and serial investor Codie Sanchez, shared his thoughts on each of the final five contenders. He expressed enthusiasm for Basket, highlighting its potential applicability in the UK and globally. Regarding Mous, he praised the company’s ambition to challenge industry giants and its strong focus on research and development. Watt found Tallow & Ash reminiscent of BrewDog’s own mission to disrupt the beer industry when it first started, appreciating their efforts to shake up a traditional sector. He also commended Uncouth for its brand identity, lauding its mission to assist those dealing with skincare issues. Lastly, he recognized Yum Bug’s potential to revolutionize the food industry by offering sustainable protein sources, despite the initial apprehension some may have about consuming insects.

James Watt plans to invest £1 million initially, with the potential for an additional £4 million to be allocated as the companies achieve specific milestones. The competition also allows members of the public to invest in the three chosen businesses through Crowdcube, under the same terms as Watt himself.