University Graduate uses £20k Savings to Launch Energy Drink

Bradford University graduate Omar Bahadur has launched a new energy drink after investing £20,000 of his savings.

Just two years after graduating, the 24-year-old is the CEO and founder of start-up business Faraday Drinks Ltd.

The Mechanical Engineering graduate feels “extremely confident” that his flavoured water drink will be a success and has global ambitions for sales.

Omar explained: “For me, it was about addressing a problem and identifying a gap in the market.

“Most energy drinks are carbonated, contain artificial ingredients, high in sugar and served in cans which means once opened you cannot store them to consume later.

“My engineering background stems from my passion for problem-solving.

“It was a big risk entering one of the most saturated and fiercely competitive markets, which made it crucial to have a well-differentiated offering.”

Omar graduated from the University of Bradford in 2018. He found work partly due to the university’s Career and Employability Service, which offers help for up to five years after graduation.

Omar told the Examiner: “I’m grateful to the University of Bradford for assisting me, their careers service is remarkable.

“I invested all of my earnings into Faraday and worked on it during evenings and weekends before going full time on the business last year. It’s easy to work hard on something you’re passionate about.”

The university graduate named the company after British inventor Michael Faraday. He secured trademarks in the UK and US.

Omar also found a Glasgow-based company to handle the production side of things.

He even went to California to gain a better understanding of his competitors before leading Faraday into production on July 23, 2020.

Omar said: “Caffeinated water bridges the gap between coffee and fizzy energy drinks.

“Faraday is still natural caffeinated raspberry rose flavoured water with 60 per cent less sugar over competing energy drinks, served in striking sustainable packaging.

“It’s light on the tongue and heavy on the energy, I say ‘Enjoy your day with Faraday’.”

“It has been very hands-on. When you’re a sole founder you have to wear all the hats from legal, sales, marketing to gathering feedback from the target market and be persistent in your pursuit for success.

“Bradford is a diverse city and what you find when you go into business is just that: diversity. So, having a university here really prepares people to do well in that world.

“The University continues to support me. I’m proud to be born in Bradford and to have attended its university. Business comes in all shapes, colours and sizes. Bradford is a city where anyone can become anything.”

The energy drink is available to purchase on their website. Students receive a 10% discount.

Omar and Faraday will be holding a taster day and making sales at the University of Bradford, exhibiting at major trade expos and expanding the product line before entering the American market.