"Alex saddles up for expansion after securing £250,000 investment" - Peeblesshire News

A SPORTSWEAR guru from Innerleithen is celebrating this week after landing a major £250,000 investment to grow her business.

Award-winning Alex Feechan launched FINDRA four years ago to take advantage of the gap in the market for high-quality women's cycling gear.

And she also opened a outlet in Innerleithen as her brand expanded into other sportswear and outdoor ranges.

This week it was announced that many of the original investors in the company have dug deep yet again.

Alex, who is an ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, is delighted with the latest lucrative investment.

She told the Peeblesshire News: “I am delighted to have secured a second round of investment from our existing investors.

"We have laid great foundations for the business over the last few years - this second round of investment allows us to expand our product offering substantially as well as growing and generating more brand awareness.

"As a team we are very much looking forward to the next stage of the FINDRA journey."

Alex worked for some of the top fashion brands including Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein and Chanel prior to going it alone.

And her sharp eye for business as well as fashion has led to several major companies backing her with funding.

Tri Capital, Investing Women Angels and the Scottish Investment Bank have all back the FINDRA expansion plans.

Jamie Andrew, chairman of Tri Capital, explained: “We are very pleased to have led this round supporting another Borders-based business.

"We have been impressed with Alex’s plans for growing the company and with her ability to engage with people across a wide spectrum, from customers to employees.

“We believe that Alex has the qualities and ability to execute her growth plan effectively.”

Kerry Sharp, director of the Scottish Investment Bank, highlighted FINDRA's forward-thinking approach as a key reason behind parting with their cash.

She said: “FINDRA is a great example of an innovative, forward-thinking company focused on developing a premium lifestyle brand, which has appeal across a variety of outdoor and leisure activities.

"Scottish Enterprise has provided various forms of assistance to FINDRA in addition to investment and we look forward to continuing to work with the company as it expands its product range and market base to realise its long term growth ambitions.”