Peequal: Innovating Women’s Urinals for Global Events
Amber Probyn and Hazel McShane, co-founders of the startup Peequal, have successfully secured nearly £1 million in investment, propelling their innovative solution for women’s urination needs at festivals to a larger audience. Their product, designed specifically for female users, promises to streamline the restroom experience, claiming to be three times faster to use than conventional portable toilets.
Supporting Women’s Comfort at Events
The graduates from Bristol University created Peequal after several summers of working at various music festivals in the UK. They identified a pressing issue: long queues for women’s restrooms that detract from the festival experience. “We knew women would welcome any innovation that meant they didn’t have to queue for hours,” stated Ms. Probyn. Their feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, revealing a significant support system within the community.
Global Ambitions and Interest
Peequal plans to use the funding to manufacture advanced versions of their urinals and to expand operations into international markets, including Europe, the United States, and Australia. Ms. McShane mentioned that numerous event organizers worldwide have expressed interest. “Like us, they want women spending less time in queues and more time enjoying the events they love,” she said.
Design Features and Benefits
The design of Peequal urinals focuses on convenience and user experience. They are optimized to minimize splashback and facilitate clothing adjustment at the front. Users adopt a squatting position while holding onto handles for stability. The latest iteration of the product can be flat-packed and stacked, allowing for efficient transportation—an advantage that translates into better logistics for event organizers.
- A truck that accommodates 21 portable toilets can instead transport up to 56 Peequal urinals.
- The urinals have already been deployed at 25 major events, including the Glastonbury Festival and the London Marathon.
Investment and Sustainability Impact
Peequal’s recent funding round raised £925,000, bringing their cumulative investment across three rounds to £1.4 million. Julia Davies, an impact investor at We Have The Power, expressed her enthusiasm for the product, noting her firsthand experience with the urinals during the London Marathon. “It’s always satisfying to invest in a service you’ve used and admired,” she commented. Additionally, Ms. Davies highlighted the sustainability potential of Peequal, suggesting that it could significantly reduce waste generated at events.
