Sarah Ferguson, once known as the Duchess of York, has found herself facing tough scrutiny. Recently, her endorsement of a lifestyle app called vVoosh has raised eyebrows after the project floundered, despite receiving over £1 million in taxpayer funding.
VVoosh, founded by Ferguson’s friend Manuel Fernandez, aimed to help users “find, plan, share, live, and remember” their favorite activities. However, the app failed to launch and went into administration last month after years of development. Ferguson, who referred to herself as an “ambassador” for the app, also invested her own money into it.
This setback adds to a challenging period for Ferguson. Not only has she lost her royal title, but she’s also had to leave her home of two decades.
Recent reports reveal that Fernandez’s journey is not just marked by vVoosh’s failure. His background includes service in the Royal Anglian Regiment and a stint in tech before venturing into the app world. His app raised nearly £9 million over several years, with significant funding coming from the government’s research and development tax credits, as pointed out in documents reviewed by the BBC.
The project’s roadblock surfaced when the company allegedly faced legal threats from its Indian contractor, halting development. The administrator’s report highlighted a breakdown in communication among key players, leading to uncertainty about how and when investors will recover their money.
Mark Guzy, an American investor who put over £400,000 into vVoosh, expressed disappointment. Many minor shareholders, mostly based in London, Essex, and even the U.S., may also face financial loss. Reports indicate that vVoosh produced no products, and despite earlier promises to donate 10% of profits to charity, this commitment now seems unlikely.
In a twist, Ferguson’s own company, La Luna Investments, is reported to be owed £50,000 due to its stake in vVoosh. Meanwhile, Fernandez has reportedly sold his £1.3 million home in North London and might have left the U.K.
As the narrative unfolds, both Ferguson and Fernandez continue to navigate the fallout from this investment. The apps’ demise highlights broader trends in the tech industry, where countless startups rise and fall. A recent study found that nearly 70% of startups fail within the first 10 years, often due to market fit issues or management missteps. Thus, while high-profile endorsements can ignite hope, they don’t guarantee success.
In conclusion, the fate of vVoosh serves as a bittersweet reminder of the complexities of entrepreneurship—especially when it involves public figures. The ongoing silence from Fernandez only adds to the mystery surrounding this venture gone awry, leaving many to wonder what went wrong.
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Sarah Ferguson, Manuel Fernandez, Royal Family
