Oato

We’ve created a product that does not compromise on taste or quality offering a creamy, fresh and tasty dairy-free alternative. FW Capital backed us at the start, and their investment allowed us to set up our own bottling plant in Preston. Today our products are available in 1000s of national supermarket stores, with over 30 million pints of Oato sold.

Carl Hopwood, Founder, Oato

Oato achieved double-digit growth and sold more than 30 million pints of its plant-based dairy alternative following investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) through FW Capital.

The funding in 2021 supported the development of the company's bottling plant in Preston and helped lay the foundations for growth. Oato later repaid the loan in full, having secured major contracts with Sainsbury's, Tesco, Ocado and Waitrose, alongside expanding its nationwide milk delivery network.

Founded in 2019, the business manufactures its fresh oat-based dairy alternative using 100% British oats at a solar-powered facility in Preston. Through its reusable glass bottle model and nationwide network of milkmen, Oato has distributed more than 30 million pints while supporting the local economy and reducing its environmental impact.