Two Bristol-based entrepreneurs behind a women’s urinals start-up are aiming to expand internationally after raising nearly £1 million in investment. Amber Probyn, 27, and Hazel McShane, 29, co-founded Peequal, which produces urinals for use at festivals and large events. The company claims its urinals are three times faster to use than conventional portable toilets, helping women spend less time in queues.
The funding, part of Peequal’s third round of investment, totals £925,000, bringing the overall investment secured to £1.4 million. The founders plan to use the funds to produce the next-generation urinals for deployment at events across Europe, the United States, and Australia. Ms McShane said event organisers are keen on solutions that reduce waiting times and enhance visitor experiences:
“Like us, they want women spending less time in queues and more time enjoying the events they love.”
The idea emerged after the pair, who graduated from Bristol University in 2020, spent several summers working at UK music festivals. Ms Probyn explained:
“We knew women would welcome any innovation that meant they didn’t have to queue for hours. What we didn’t expect was how much love the urinals would receive, and we’ve been blown away by the support women give us at events.”
Peequal’s urinals are manufactured in Somerset using sugar cane and recycled ocean plastic, with a design that minimises splashback and allows users to pull clothing down at the front. Users squat while holding onto handles. The latest model can be flat-packed and stacked, allowing a single lorry that would carry 21 traditional portable toilets to transport 56 Peequal urinals instead.
The urinals have already featured at 25 events in 2025, including Glastonbury Festival and the London Marathon, gaining positive feedback from festival-goers and organisers alike. Julia Davies, an impact investor at We Have The Power, described her support:
“It’s always satisfying to invest in a service you’ve used and admired. What I really love is its potential for a huge sustainability impact by reducing toxic waste generation at events.”
