For those building the businesses no one else will.
Access a team of curious and practical experts in tech, brand, commercial, growth (and more) who specifically understand taboo spaces
Got an idea?
Our studio is built on a core methodology that derisks ideas to maximise chances of success. We use this approach ourselves on our own ideas, and can act as a studio co-founder for your ideas if there is a good fit.
Growing your company?
Our expert team work with businesses creating impact in taboo spaces and industries. From brand, growth, tech, product or interesting business model design; we understand the unique landscape you’re working in and how much creativity is required.
Want to learn?
Our Academy delivers outcome based programs specifically for those working in stigmatised spaces. 2026 programs to be announced soon.
“I’ve built things people could talk about. Now we’re building the ones they can’t.”
Nicola Telford, Founder - Tabu Ventures
Ways you can work with us
-
Venture Builders
For that sticky early stage when you’re just trying to get something off the ground. Our approach to venture building aims to derisk the initial 0-1 phase and ensure founders are well supported.
-
Expert Studio
Our team of experts across tech, ops, growth, wellbeing, health, funding (and more) are all committed to working on taboo topics. We welcome businesses of all stages to the studio.
-
Academy
We get it, sometimes you want to do it yourself; but that doesn’t mean you can’t be supported and continuously learning. Our academy provides outcome based programs to taboo founders.
Tabu Ventures operates at the edge core of the human experience.
Sex, Pleasure & Intimacy
Women’s Bodies & Health
Money & Power
Addiction & Recovery
Death & Grief
Mind & Shame
Aging & Vitality
Body & Sanitation
Identity & Belief
Other Emerging Taboos
Pre-Register for 2026
Tabu Demo Day!
March 2026 - An intimate, invite-only day for founders and investors who understand the possible impact + potential in taboo markets.
We are your partners for all things taboo business building
-
We work with you as a partner, or even a studio co-founder to build and grow your business. We consider retainer, revenue share and equity partnerships
-
Welcome a fractional executive to solve a specific problem or support a dedicated project for a specific period of time. Expertise without the cost of a permanent hire.
-
We work with you on a specific project. Maybe a new product launch, or a pivot or research effort. We can create a container for these needs.
-
Our experts can work with founders directly with advisory support - whether generalist or topic specific.
-
Honestly, founders working in taboo areas really need to look after themselves. We understand this and offer mentoring to ensure you are well supported.
Product & Tech
Taboo markets need products that balance sensitivity with usability. We help founders validate real user needs, design with discretion where required, and build tech that earns trust; from compliant data flows to intuitive interfaces that respect privacy.
Growth
Growth looks different when you can’t always advertise freely or use mainstream channels. We design creative, compliant ways to reach your audience - from community-led distribution to trust networks - helping you scale without compromising integrity.
Brand & Positioning
In taboo spaces, language and framing are everything. We help you find the words and visuals that open doors instead of closing them - credible enough for investors, bold enough to stand out, and safe enough for users to engage with.
Operations
Taboo ventures often face operational grey zones: supply chain sensitivities, regulation, or content controls. We bring experience building systems that keep you compliant, efficient, and discreet, without losing pace or personality.
Funding
Many investors avoid taboo sectors out of discomfort, not logic. We help you navigate that bias: shaping your story, evidence, and metrics so capital can see the opportunity behind the stigma. We can also potentially connect you to aligned funding sources.
Business Models Design
We work with founders to test pricing, partnerships, and recurring models that build resilience: from direct-to-community subscriptions to B2B2C channels that quietly normalise change.
Partner with us
Tabu Ventures works with people and organisations who care about tackling uncomfortable, overlooked areas of human experience. From experts and advisors to investors, brands charities, and communities, we welcome partners who want to share knowledge, contribute to our work, or co-create meaningful new ventures. If you feel aligned with our mission, we’d love to connect.
Research we’re currently doing in the venture studio
-
Over 65s
We are exploring senior sex to understand what work needs to be done to support healthy sexual expression as we age.
-
Parents with children aged 6-16
We want to understand what parents need to support the next generation’s sexual imprinting and education.