SUNGLASSES brand Tens has begun shipping to thousands of customers after smashing its crowdfunding target.
The Edinburgh company, founded by friends Kris Reid, Tom Welsh and Marty Bell, aimed to raise £9,400 on the Indiegogo platform to fulfil its first production run. It beat that figure less than two hours after its funding campaign launched in May.
Now, with the campaign closing this weekend, it has already raised more than £355,000 attracting 10,000 customers across more than 80 countries.
The first pallet of 1,200 of the £46 sunglasses, which have a tint that is said to resemble the filters on popular photo sharing app Instagram, was shipped last week with a further 6,000 going out shortly.
Mr Reid said: "It has been an incredible journey." He pointed out the company's other director Usman Kushi, who is involved with outdoor clothing maker Trespass, had been a great help with the shipping and logistics.
Tens has the sunglasses manufactured in the Far East. It was unable to obtain the quality of product it wanted closer to home.
Mr Bell said the crowdfunding route had helped the business other than just through raising money. He said: "The main thing was validating there was a market for this and people would want it rather than us buying 5,000 pairs of sunglasses and putting them on an online store hoping they sell."
The company is exploring the next step for its sales. Mr Reid said: "We are being inundated by online retailers, other stockists, wholesalers and people who want to set up in other countries."
Indiegogo is hosting a crowdfunding event in Edinburgh on Thursday.
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