Lonkero, In conversation with Paige Gibbons, Co-Founder
Paige Gibbons, co-founder of Lonkero, is making waves in the beverage industry with her bold and innovative approach to drink options. Driven by a desire to offer a fairer choice for those who don’t enjoy beer, Paige set out to create a spirit-based drink served in pint-sized servings at beer prices. What started as a conversation at a birthday party quickly turned into a thriving business, with Lonkero now available in pubs and festivals across the UK. In just six months, the brand has sold over 50,000 pints, providing a unique alternative that resonates with customers.
We’re proud to support Paige through our fundraising platform and to feature her in our Female Founder Friday campaign. Her journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance, inspiring fellow entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions and embrace new challenges.
We sat down with Paige to discuss her career, the hurdles she’s overcome, and what lies ahead for Lonkero.
FC: Could you start by summarising your professional background?"
PG: "The majority of my career was in events. After university, I went into corporate events, mostly fundraising galas and black-tie occasions. I’ve always been the social organiser, hosting parties and such, so events felt like a natural fit. Then I moved on to Gumball 3000, a supercar rally for the rich and famous. We took 100 cars, 200 people on a seven-day tour – I worked on the Mykonos to Ibiza rally, and I was planning the Toronto to Havana route as well. It was fascinating. I was there from 2019 to 2020, but when the world shut down, I was made redundant and shifted into tech startups, working as an executive assistant in a kind of family office that incubated tech startups. That gave me insight into the startup world, as I was involved in testing propositions and various roles across the businesses.
When the world started to reopen in 2022, I went back into events with Festival Republic, working on major festivals like Reading, Leeds, Latitude, and Wireless. I assisted the managing director and ran many VIP and artist bars backstage.
The idea for Lonkero came up last May at my co-founder’s birthday, where we were discussing how frustrated I was with paying a premium for gin and tonics when everyone else was getting beers. Joe mentioned a drink from Finland, a spirit-based pint served on draft for the same price as beer. We tried it out, and three months later, we handed in our notices to start Lonkero."
FC: "That’s such a broad and exciting background. The Gumball 3000 must have been quite the experience. Out of everything you’ve done, what are you most proud of?"
PG: "There are two distinct phases. I loved working in events; it was a perfect match for me. Organising massive events and seeing people enjoy them was incredibly rewarding. Working with Gumball 3000 and seeing the event conclude successfully with no major issues was a great feeling. The same goes for festivals, where I’d look out at the crowd and feel proud to have played a part.
Lonkero is different; it's much more personal. The business is our own, and you’re involved in every detail.
Selling 50,000 pints is mind-blowing. The fact that people are choosing to pay for a drink that we created is thrilling. Seeing people feel included when they can order a pint for the same price as a beer is what makes it all worth it."
FC: "How did FounderCatalyst help you on your fundraising journey?"
PG: "FounderCatalyst was invaluable in the fundraising process. When we started, both Joe and I were new to founding businesses, and we had to navigate the startup and fundraising ecosystems, which were entirely unfamiliar.
The community, especially the FounderCatalyst WhatsApp group, was incredibly supportive, always ready to answer questions. Sam’s guidance helped us understand the ins and outs of shareholder agreements, board minutes, and other legalities we’d never encountered before.
We felt better equipped to speak confidently with investors, knowing we had solid backing. The whole process can be daunting, but having that kind of support made a world of difference."
FC: "Have you faced any unique challenges as a female founder?"
PG: "Coming from a female-oriented profession like events, it was a shock at first to walk into rooms and often be the only woman. I’m lucky that it didn’t faze me too much - I’ve had some incredible female mentors and role models across my career - but it’s still surprising. The drinks industry, particularly for spirits and cocktails, does skew towards a female consumer base, yet it’s not reflected in the business side.”
FC: "What advice would you give to young founders who are just starting?"
PG: "Take your time to validate your idea before diving in. Get honest feedback from friends and family. If they don’t buy into it, how can you expect the public to? Once you’re confident in your concept, you need to commit full-time at some point. If you keep it part-time, it remains a hobby. Investors want to see that you’re investing your time, even if you can’t put in capital.
I also highly recommend having a co-founder. It’s a lonely and demanding journey, especially in the beginning, and having someone to share that with is invaluable. You’ll get different perspectives and can work through challenges together, which is much harder to do on your own."
FC: "It sounds like you and Joe have created something special. Are there any exciting developments coming up?"
PG: "Yes, plenty! We’re currently focused on a fundraising round to accelerate growth. The additional capital will allow us to expand the team and pursue opportunities more aggressively. There’s a lot in the works we can’t share right now but we’re certainly looking forward to what the future holds."
FC:"That sounds brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.
Thanks to Paige Gibbons for contributing to Female Founders Friday and we'll be on hand to guide her if needs be throughout her fundraising process.
Click this link to let us guide you on your fundraising journey.
Author: Gideon Stott, Digital Marketing Executive at FounderCatalyst