Nick Tyler, the 30-year-old founder of Pisces Devices, has secured new funding for his innovative soft toy subwoofer invention, the Bass Turtle. The Newcastle-based musician created the device as a sensory tool to help people physically experience music through vibration, including those who are deaf or neurodivergent.
After moving into a smaller flat, Tyler found himself relying on headphones to enjoy music, but the experience lacked the immersive quality he was used to. He wanted the physical sensation that comes with bass frequencies. Using technology that transmits vibrations through surfaces, he experimented with ways to recreate that sensation. The DIY hobby soon grew, and Tyler created a prototype Bass Turtle, a plushie-type device that gained interest online.
Funding and Support
After running a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised more than £59,000 from 331 backers and investing his own savings, Tyler turned to the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, with support from Business Enterprise Fund. He has now secured a five-figure Start Up Loan to help launch the product.
"I've always been really into music and bass especially. The sensation of physically feeling bass in your body is something that's really important to me. Headphones never really gave me that experience," Tyler said.
He added: "I'd invested all of my own savings into developing the product. The Kickstarter would cover manufacturing, but there were still a lot of costs involved in building the business properly. I didn't want to compromise or give away part of the company too early, so a Start Up Loan was the ideal solution."
Next Steps for Pisces Devices
The funding has helped Tyler move from prototype to production while maintaining full control of the business. Pisces Devices is now focused on manufacturing and delivering the first batch of Bass Turtles and developing its online shop. In time, Tyler hopes to expand the product range to support neurodivergent people.
Louise McCoy, managing director of Start Up Loans at the British Business Bank, said: "Nick's journey demonstrates how the Start Up Loans programme can help entrepreneurs take an idea from the earliest stages of development through to bringing a product to market. It's particularly encouraging to see funding be able to support a business operating in the creative industries, a key part of the Government's Industrial Strategy."
