SUPPORT GOBSMACK
Help a growing importer of top craft beer tap into new markets.
It’s not crowdfunding, it’s a win-win!
Who are we?
Hiya, nice to meet you. We’re Kristof and Bart at Gobsmack, importer of premium craft beer since 2016. Our focus lies in building strong and long-lasting relationships with a limited number of brewers, in order to advance them in the Belgian market as best as possible.
In 2024 Bart joined us, and we gave ourselves a thorough makeover. This approach has paid dividends: over the course of a mere 7 months, we’ve consistently broken even in revenue. This is in spite of two major investments: our warehouse and software. Initially, our new warehouse with cold storage made our logistical cost significantly higher, but our day-to-day operations have become much cheaper because of it. The same applies to our computer systems: improved stock management processes make us more streamlined and efficient every day.
What do we need funding for?
Contactless processing of goods is a first step to streamlining our logistics. This will make it possible for customers to collect their own orders on-site as well.
Secondly, we would like to invest further in our software. This will not only limit our overhead, but will also make it significantly easier to order beers from outside of the EU because of the strict administrative follow-up necessary to deal with international customs.
Lastly, there is our working capital. Although Gobsmack is financially in good shape and we could technically save up, it would lead to a lot of missed opportunities along the way. Many talented brewers are currently already at our doorstep and eager to work with us, both in Belgium and abroad.
What can we offer you?
50 euro:a big old ‘thank you very much’.
125 euro: you’re invited to our party, fall or winter of 2025. We’ll take care of the beers. Not much of a party animal? Then we’ll offer you a beer box with an RRP of 75 euros minimum. Still not enough? Per donation of 125 euros, you’ll also receive a ticket into our raffle. The lucky winner can look forward to visiting one of our breweries!
250 euro: an invite to our party + a beer box + 3 tickets to our raffle!
500 euro: an invite to our party + a beer box + 8 tickets to our raffle!
1,000 euro: a win-win loan at 4.2% + all the benefits of the 125 euros package!
2,000 euro: a win-win loan at 4.2%+ all the benefits of the 125 euros package!
5,000 euro: a win-win loan at 4.2%+ all the benefits of the 125 euros package!
More information about the official win-win loan from the Flemish government can be found here (website in Dutch, hit translate on your browser extensions!):
Please remember: every loan is a risk! Although both of us are 100% invested in Gobsmack, we want to emphasize that if you can’t spare the money, keep it in your account. Stay safe!
Our short-term goals can be realized with 35,000 euro. Should we not reach this target, we can keep working on it, but it will take significantly longer to realize our ideas. Therefore, we are not setting a hard ultimatum, but will continue this round of financing indefinitely. The cutoff date for the party will be towards the end of summer. As our sponsors, you will be kept up to date of any future developments. From that point onward, you can also sign up for next year’s festivities.
Frequently asked questions
Financing will run indefinitely, but our annual deadline is August 31st. If you sign up before this date, you’ll be given your reward in the fall or winter. If you sign up September 1st or after, you’ll be registered for next year’s reward.
A win-win loan is an initiative of the Flemish government that encourages private individuals to invest in Flemish companies. In our case we pay 4.2% gross interest, and you will receive an additional 2.5% in tax breaks. We are legally obliged to withhold 30% in tax on the interest, so in total you will receive 2.8% net interest + 2.5% tax break = a yield of 5.3%. Should any company you invest in go into insolvency, you are always guaranteed a single payment of 30% of the outstanding amount.
The win-win loan is only open to official residents of Flanders. We will, however, be able to sign off on a normal loan at the same interest, but the conditions given by the Flemish government will not apply.
The 1,000 euro loan runs for 5 years, the 2,000 and 5,000 euro loans for 10 years. You will receive annual payback of capital + interest. Other formulas are available if you see things differently, this can always be customized to your liking.
No problem. Simply write through our online contact form and you’ll receive an e-mail.
Because we don’t like things dragging along. Financing will also run permanently, so this can be seen as a strong incentive to keep putting your trust in us for the foreseeable future.
The beer box will be designed with a wide audience in mind, including both discoveries for newbies and specialty offerings for experienced beer geeks. Specifically, we’ll be selecting beers that we personally want to recommend you taste. We also guarantee at least one vintage beer per box, and one beer from our selection specifically meant for the box alone.
We’re not a webshop, so bomb proof wrapping for shipping purposes isn’t our forte. We are, however, very good at delivering beer. Hence, we do guarantee the beers will be delivered to you no matter what. A lot will currently depend on how much response we get, but we’re currently considering one or multiple collection events where we do a little something extra.
Depending on the number of participants we choose a nice location, pin a date and make sure we have good stuff to drink. We take care of the beer selection and try to surprise and tantalize you. Everyone, including the interested newbie and experienced beer geek, is important to us, so we’d love to see your feedback through our online contact form. Everyone that signs in, will automatically receive an e-mail to which you can reply.
On August 31st, we will select a winner randomly. The more people sign in, the more brewery visits we’ll be raffling off.
We make sure you get to visit one of our portfolio breweries as a VIP guest and will receive a very different experience to a regular visitor. The prize remains valid for three years. Travel and accommodation are at your own expense.
Logistically we can still make enhancements that will increase our long term efficiency. One example is installing solar panels for our cold storage.
You are most certainly free to join in, but we cannot guarantee an alcohol free box. It will, however, still make for the perfect gift for your loved one!
Feel free to ask. This is a journey of discovery for us as much as it is for you. What we propose is something we believe works for you, but we love to learn. Drop us a message.
When you sign up, you’ll automatically receive an e-mail from us with your confirmation. Make sure to check your spam folder! The e-mail will be sent by info@gobsmack.be. If you find our e-mail in your spam, make sure to add this e-mail address to your trusted contacts. All further communication and follow-up will be through this address. If you also can’t find it in your spam folder, e-mail us at info@gobsmack.be and we’ll get you sorted!
Because our numbers speak for themselves. Gobsmack isn’t a fluke. Our cost is well under control, without having to compromise in terms of quality. We can pay back what we ask and we have the numbers to back it up.
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