The Conduit Connect Inaugural Christmas Market
For those of you who were able to attend the inaugural Conduit Connect Christmas market - thanks for gracing us with your presence - wasn’t it tree-mendous? For those of you who were not able to join - say it ain’t snow! Not to worry - yule be able to take a look at all the awesome businesses who exhibited on the day on this page, and access 10% off all non-sale items with the discount code CONDUIT10 - valid across all of the 'stalls'.
All the businesses below exhibited at our market - and were selected by the Conduit Connect team because we love their missions and want to support them at the end of a year which has been hugely challenging for small businesses and startups. So please - treat yourself, treat your loved ones in the knowledge that your Christmas gifts are also supporting a range of best in class sustainable and impactful businesses - loosen those purse strings (make it rein(deer)).
Bower Collective - Click Here to Shop
What they do
Bower Collective helps you to eliminate waste from your home and live a more sustainable life. Bower brings you the very best sustainable personal and home care products. Products that look good, feel good, reduce waste, are sustainable and effective.
Why we love them
We are all trying to reduce waste from our lives, and we all have to weigh up in our minds reducing waste vs doing what is easy. Since I switched to Bower I no longer need to make that calculation. And as an added bonus - guests always comment on the beauty of the refillable soap dispenser next to my sink.
Click here to visit their website.
Nemi Teas - Click Here to Shop
What they do
Nemi Teas is a specialist London-based tea company which offers a variety of whole-leaf tea blends as loose-tea, teabags and a Chai Syrup whilst also providing employment to refugees to give them local work experience and job readiness skills to enter the UK workforce and help them integrate into broader society.
Why we love them
Not all teas are made equal... did you know most teabags contain plastic? What!? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered, NEMI Teas' teabags are plastic-free and compostable. Even their packaging is biodegradable and all their teas are Organic and Fairtrade-certified whilst they create opportunities for refugees to shape their own journey. Their Spicy Chai is the perfect winter warmer or try the Spicy Chai Syrup in a chai cocktail or a milkshake! You really can’t go wrong.
Click here to visit their website.
Ocean Bottle - Click Here to Shop
What do they do
The Ocean Bottle keeps cold drinks cold, and hot drinks hot. Made from double wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel and recycled content. The anti-leak dual opening lid makes filling and cleaning a breeze. Plus, unlike most reusable bottles, Ocean Bottle is 100% dishwasher safe. For every unit sold Ocean Bottle will fund the collection of 1,000 plastic bottles from our oceans.
Why we love them
Another water bottle company, right? Wrong.
The commitment to ocean preservation and removal of ocean plastic is at the core of everything Ocean Bottle does. This is not a bottle company with a nice USP, this is a company born specifically to solve a problem. Having announced their millionth kg collected earlier this month, it is clear they are getting there.
Click here to visit their website.
OXWASH - Click Here to Shop
What do they do
Oxwash is re-engineering the laundry process from the ground up with sustainability at the front of mind. Oxwash uses space age technology to do your laundry. Washing is clinically-clean and the entire process from, from collection, through washing and back to delivery is net zero for carbon emissions.
Why we love them
I know what you are thinking - why is a laundry business featuring in a list of Christmas gifts. It is a fair challenge, but let me tell you, first it is a really cool net zero laundry business, but secondly nobody likes doing their own laundry, and especially not over the holidays. Why not treat yourself and let Oxwash do it for you?
Click here to visit their website.
SEP Jordan - Click Here to Shop
What they do
SEP Jordan is a fashion & lifestyle business with a social impact focus. SEP was the first Jordanian private company to set up in the Jerash “Gaza” Camp in Jordan. They work with artists, craftswomen, who happen to be refugees. What makes SEP different is that they work with the camp residents as artists and colleagues, rather than recipients of aid. SEP have directly created sustainable paths to economic independence for hundreds of women & their families.
Why we love them
SEP stands for Social Enterprise Project which is apt - SEP Jordan feels to me like the definitive social enterprise. I find it difficult to imagine a more challenging place to launch a successful fashion brand than a refugee camp in Jordan. Not only have they done it, but they have also developed a model for how to use business as a tool for social change. SEP’s pieces are delicately hand-embroidered with geometric patterns inspired by Islamic geometry and Palestinian heritage. Take a look at their signature Keffiyeh - a perfect gift.
Click here to visit their website.
Tech Will Save Us - Click Here to Shop
What do they do
Tech Will Save Us is on a mission to spark the creative imagination of young people using hands-on technology. Their award winning make-it-yourself craft and science projects, focus on STEM learning through play.
Why we love them
We all know the risk of buying kids toys at this time of year. The risk is that they are played with and enjoyed for 3 hours and are then relegated to a cupboard, never to be seen again. Tech Will Save Us products are created specifically to be built in multiple ways, meaning hours of opportunities for learning, fun and creativity.
Click here to visit their website.
Tincture - Click Here to Shop
What they do
Award winning 100% natural cleaning and lifestyle products made with essential oils & botanical extracts. The harsh chemicals found in many household cleaners can affect skin, airways and eyes. Tincture organic, eco-friendly, chemical-free cleaning can give you peace of mind that your loved ones are safe from toxins in your home.
Why we love them
Many of us observe problems, not many of us resolve to fix them. Tincture’s founder Angelika launched the business after observing the irritation traditional cleaning materials were causing to her children’s asthma and eczema.
Click here to visit their website.
TOAST - Click Here to Shop
What they do
Toast brew beer from surplus bread. By replacing virgin barley with bread they reduce demand for land, water use, energy use, avoid emissions and reduce food waste. If that wasn't enough, they then donate profits to charities bringing about systemic change to the food system.
Why we love them
First things first - the beer is fantastic. My favourite is the American Pale Ale, it is refreshing and just slightly citrusy, but you should order a multipack and figure out your favourite for yourself. Beyond the quality of the beer this is a fantastic story of what can be done creative people get their hands on a problem. Did I mention the beer is fantastic - why isn't all beer made from surplus bread? I have no idea.
Click here to visit their website.
1001 Stories - Click Here to Shop
What they do
1001 Stories creates beautiful statement shoes while empowering marginalised communities to gain financial independence through their craft.
Why we love them
Every single element of 1001 Stories has been considered and developed with indefatigable care and precision. That is true for the way in which the business has been built to support refugee communities, it is also true for the sustainability of their supply chains, their commitment to maintaining traditional skills, and the beauty of their shoes.
Click here to visit their website.
Alive and Kicking - Click Here to Shop
What they do
Alive and Kicking is the world’s only not-for-profit football manufacturer. With centres across sub-Saharan Africa, A&K creates hundreds of ethical jobs manufacturing footballs for adults to help lift families out of poverty. Employees receive a fair wage and access to holiday, sick pay and a pension scheme. Profits from the sale of the footballs give young people across Africa access to sport and health education: A&K donates balls to children from disadvantaged communities and trains local community coaches and school teachers to deliver vital health education through sport.
Why we love them
At the Conduit Connect, we typically work with for-profit impact businesses. However, when one of our investor members told us about Alive and Kicking, an amazing non-profit that he supports, we had to include them in our Christmas shop! One of the things we believe deeply in at the Conduit Connect is holistic impact, and A&K is a perfect example of this: they have thought about how to support everyone in the communities where they operate - giving children easier access to team sports, training teachers and coaches to be community leaders, and creating jobs for parents. We especially love their UN Sustainable Development Goals ball - what better way to get kids thinking about positive impact early!
Click here to visit their website.
If you are interested to learn more about The Conduit Connect please contact us on info@theconduitconnect.com