Desmond Ho

Investor

📍 Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom🔄 Updated September 2026💼 15 investments📅 12 years investing🗓 Last invested Jan 2016
VC🌍 United Kingdom
15
Total investments
3
Early stage
3
Mid stage
3
Late stage
12y
Years active

Portfolio

10 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Investor
2016
At Crowdcube, we believe in the power of funding with impact. Behind 20 of the most popular crowdfunding campaigns of all time, we are Europe’s leading equity crowdfunding platform — empowering founders to raise the capital they need to make a lasting difference in the world. Our platform provides an innovative approach to fundraising, connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with a vibrant community of investors who are passionate about supporting meaningful ventures. Having worked with the likes of Monzo, ZOE, Qonto, Heura, what3words and more, we want to help take your business to the next level. Risk Warning: Investing in start-ups and early stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Crowdcube is targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. You will only be able to invest via Crowdcube once you are registered as sufficiently sophisticated.
Investor
2015
Clear Books is a small business that supports small businesses. We provide clear and simple, award-winning online accounting software that's designed for UK businesses. It allows them to save time and work smarter by managing their accounts in the cloud. Thanks to our online software, small businesses and accountants can access their books anywhere, at any time. We offer our clients email and phone support from our friendly London-based team, in order to save them time and help them focus on doing what they do best - running a business. We also offer a free 30 day trial, giving new users the chance to experience using our software for the first time. To take a tour of our system and register for a free trial, click the link below.
Investor
2015
Sustainable Power is a UK company specialising in the development and production of high efficiency micro-generation appliances for both domestic and commercial applications. Sustainable Power was established in 2008 from a team of engineers from the research and development sector of Prodrive Subaru WRC Team. By harnessing this vast knowledge of engine efficiency, combustion and software development Sustainable Power has engineered a very compact ultra-efficient micro combined heat and power appliance (“mCHP”) for the Domestic and SME market that can deliver substantial Carbon and financial savings for its customer base. The Spice 2e mCHP unit is a small, floor-standing, gas-engine based appliance delivering 2 kWh of electrical output alongside 7.5 kW thermal outputs. Installed alongside the existing heating plant for a building, it is intended to work as the primary heat source. The Spice 2e is scheduled for full commercial rollout in Q3 of 2015 and we are currently undertaking comprehensive field trials across the various sectors of the market including Hotel Chains, Care Homes, community Housing and the larger residential sites. The Sustainable Power Spice 2e is specifically tailored to the UK market environment, including the UK Government’s Feed in Tariff 2kWe subsidy limit, and is therefore ideally suited to provide not only exceptional levels of CO2 reduction per kWe produced, but also a maximised return for the consumer in relation to electricity produced and subsequently, through the FIT (Feed In Tariff), the highest financial return annually. The payback of the unit when run over 6000 hours pa is less than three years, making the unit not only one of the greenest products on the market, but highly rewarding financial planning for any company or household that wishes to significantly reduce their energy costs.
Investor
2015
🏆 "Best Investments Provider"​ - British Bank Awards 2018, 2019 & 2021. 🏆 "Most Innovative Provider"​ - Good Money Guide Awards 2019. 🏆 "Best Alternative Investment Account" - Good Money Guide Awards 2021. WiseAlpha is the UK’s leading digital corporate bond market. WiseAlpha provides Fractional Bond trading and automated portfolio services for individuals and institutions to gain exposure to the corporate bond asset class. ✉️ investing@wisealpha.com
Investor
2015
TORCH APPAREL LTD is an international trade and development company based out of ALDER HILLS IND PARK 16 ALDER HILLS, POOLE, DORSET, United Kingdom.
Investor
2014
Star Toilet Paper is an advertising and marketing company providing companies with a unique means of advertising their product. We print advertisements and/or coupons on toilet paper and then distribute them to high volume public venues. We succeed where traditional marketing and advertising techniques fall short – · You reach a wide demographic · You maximize brand awareness · You get new customers for your product . You save money . You are in front of a captured audience Our Model: We utilize a "two-ply" business model to ensure success. The first step is to obtain a venue to carry our printed toilet paper. We have the ability to provide venues (bar, restaurant, bowling alley, stadium, college, etc.) with a wide range of our patented printed toilet paper all for absolutely no cost. We are able to do so by using the revenue we bring in from the second ply of our company, obtaining advertisers. The benefit for advertisers is that we help them advertise where everyone will see for just half a cent per ad. Venues get free high quality two ply toilet paper, companies get cost efficient and unique advertising, and customers get great coupons at their finger tips. We are aligning the interests of multiple stakeholders all in one place and leveraging each of them to ensure everyone wins!
Investor
2014
Water-to-Go is your own water purification system that fits in the palm of your hand! This technology eliminates up to 99.9999% of all Bacteria, Viruses, Chlorine and Fluoride and Heavy Metals such as Lead and other contaminants such as pesticides, providing safe drinking water from any water source (except salt water). The nano technology takes water filtration to a new level! As well as having pores that are a fraction of the size of those in a standard filter, the filter is positively charged so works as a magnet and catches all of the harmful bacteria and viruses. The Water-to-Go filter is light years ahead of the competition and delivers pure, clean water every time. Water-to-Go are committed to reducing the number of bottles being dumped across the world and delivering healthy clean filtered water for you wherever you are! We are looking for well established distributors who are presently selling into markets such as; outdoor, travel, sport, leisure and NGO’s. If you are a company that fits any of the above or if you could introduce us to a contact who we could work with, please get in touch with us at info@watertogo.eu
mid stageRetail
Investor
2014
Beautifully crafted ticketing. The experience that ticket buyers deserve. An event starts the second a customer goes to buy a ticket. Two thirds of people say that a bad booking experience stops them from coming back. Line-Up is the new benchmark for customer experience when it comes to ticketing. Whether the ticket is bought online or on the door, we’ve raised the bar, across the board. For vendors, we provide everything required to delight ticket buyers. Our easy-to-use management tools offer sophisticated, real-time sales reports, analytics and customer data transparency. From theatres and festivals to museums and attractions; Line-Up powers ticket sales for forward-thinking venues and event organisers across the world. Line-Up was founded in 2011 by Barnaby Clark, Chris Crossley and James Stilwell. Our investors include some of the UK's finest angels, Seedcamp and we're lucky to count a number of the Seedrs community as shareholders. • Shortlisted for Best Technology Provider at the British Media Awards 2016 • Seedcamp London Winners 2013 • London Web Summit Best European Startup Finalist 2012 • Featured by BBC, Forbes, TechCrunch
Investor
2014
Want to compare estate agent fees for selling your home, instantly? Save hours of research. easyProperty.com provides a free, quick & simple way to research agents fees from our 8,527 partner agents throughout the UK. You could save 33% on agent fees (average payment via our platform compared to national average).
early stageReal Estate
Investor
2014
Adludio is an award-winning, AI-powered platform that delivers brand outcomes through interactive mobile advertising. We create, deliver and optimize advertising campaigns at scale, using mobile-first creative technology, data and algorithms to engage with audiences on their first screen. With superior creative builds leveraging a decade of creative engagement data, we help you win the battle for attention. Our clients include the world’s biggest brands, including Nike, Microsoft, Coca Cola and Estée Lauder. We embrace diversity and a global outlook. Headquartered in London, we have offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, and a remote workforce operating from 17 countries. We maintain a start-up culture as we grow, where every employee has the opportunity to pitch in with their ideas. Adludio has been listed in The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 ‘Ones to Watch’, and ranked in the Deloitte Fast 50 two years in a row, making it one of the fastest-growing Ad Tech companies in the UK.
Experience · 18 entries
All (18)
Investments (15)
2016
Investor
2016
At Crowdcube, we believe in the power of funding with impact. Behind 20 of the most popular crowdfunding campaigns of all time, we are Europe’s leading equity crowdfunding platform — empowering founders to raise the capital they need to make a lasting difference in the world. Our platform provides an innovative approach to fundraising, connecting ambitious entrepreneurs with a vibrant community of investors who are passionate about supporting meaningful ventures. Having worked with the likes of Monzo, ZOE, Qonto, Heura, what3words and more, we want to help take your business to the next level. Risk Warning: Investing in start-ups and early stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Crowdcube is targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. You will only be able to invest via Crowdcube once you are registered as sufficiently sophisticated.
2015
Investor
2015
Clear Books is a small business that supports small businesses. We provide clear and simple, award-winning online accounting software that's designed for UK businesses. It allows them to save time and work smarter by managing their accounts in the cloud. Thanks to our online software, small businesses and accountants can access their books anywhere, at any time. We offer our clients email and phone support from our friendly London-based team, in order to save them time and help them focus on doing what they do best - running a business. We also offer a free 30 day trial, giving new users the chance to experience using our software for the first time. To take a tour of our system and register for a free trial, click the link below.
Investor
2015
Sustainable Power is a UK company specialising in the development and production of high efficiency micro-generation appliances for both domestic and commercial applications. Sustainable Power was established in 2008 from a team of engineers from the research and development sector of Prodrive Subaru WRC Team. By harnessing this vast knowledge of engine efficiency, combustion and software development Sustainable Power has engineered a very compact ultra-efficient micro combined heat and power appliance (“mCHP”) for the Domestic and SME market that can deliver substantial Carbon and financial savings for its customer base. The Spice 2e mCHP unit is a small, floor-standing, gas-engine based appliance delivering 2 kWh of electrical output alongside 7.5 kW thermal outputs. Installed alongside the existing heating plant for a building, it is intended to work as the primary heat source. The Spice 2e is scheduled for full commercial rollout in Q3 of 2015 and we are currently undertaking comprehensive field trials across the various sectors of the market including Hotel Chains, Care Homes, community Housing and the larger residential sites. The Sustainable Power Spice 2e is specifically tailored to the UK market environment, including the UK Government’s Feed in Tariff 2kWe subsidy limit, and is therefore ideally suited to provide not only exceptional levels of CO2 reduction per kWe produced, but also a maximised return for the consumer in relation to electricity produced and subsequently, through the FIT (Feed In Tariff), the highest financial return annually. The payback of the unit when run over 6000 hours pa is less than three years, making the unit not only one of the greenest products on the market, but highly rewarding financial planning for any company or household that wishes to significantly reduce their energy costs.
Cauli Rice
Investor
2015
MiTonics
Investor
2015
Show all 18 entries ↓
Investment activity
2014–2016 · 15 investments
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