The Story of Kemfon.

Hi, my name is Edidiong. I work in financial services here in the UK, and I am a new father to my beautiful daughter, Lilla. 

The name Kemfon originates from the Ibibio language of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Kemfon Abasi is the full name, meaning "Grace of God" or "God's Grace." This is little Lilla's name, given to her by her paternal grandparents.

The idea of our umbrella brand was born in 2025, on a rainy summer afternoon, whilst on our summer vacation in Budapest, Hungary. We had just returned from our trip to Slovakia to introduce baby Lilla to her maternal grandparents for the first time.

We had planned our day out as usual. All of a sudden, one of the heaviest summer rainfalls came pouring down. Just like most tourists, we weren't prepared, and our umbrella was in our luggage from the United Kingdom. Luckily, we had used the popular food delivery app Wolt in Budapest to order takeout, and we were somewhat familiar with it. To cut a long story short, we were able to order and have our first compact travel umbrella delivered to our Airbnb.

The actual receipt for our umbrella purchase. Note: I have collaged the umbrella picture from the listing to the receipt for illustrative purposes only. The rest of the receipt is the same. 

With our umbrella in hand, we went straight out to get on with our sightseeing for the day without wasting our holidays by staying indoors.

My entrepreneurial mindset couldn't help but think about replicating this idea back home in the UK.

When we Brits hear the phrase "the British weather", we understand that phrase a bit differently. We immediately think of rainfall and storms, which we name to help people engage with the weather warnings e.g storm Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, and Isla.

Our Commitment

At Kemfon, we are committed to delivering premium automatic umbrellas that combine cutting-edge convenience with British design sensibility.

Our Mission

At Kemfon, our mission is simple and enduring: to keep people protected from the elements, whatever the weather brings. We exist to ensure that no rain, no wind, no sun, and no storm ever catches our customers unprepared. From the daily commuter navigating a British downpour to the family travelling abroad on holiday, we are committed to delivering products built with integrity, reliable, thoughtfully designed, and worthy of trust. Every umbrella we sell is a quiet promise: we've got you covered.

Our Vision

We envision a future where Kemfon is the most trusted name in weather protection across the United Kingdom and beyond — not simply a place to buy an umbrella, but a brand people turn to instinctively whenever the sky turns grey, or the sun beats down. We are building a company where quality is never compromised, where innovation serves a genuine human need, and where our customers feel the confidence of knowing that what they carry, wear, or shelter beneath was made to last. Kemfon will grow from its roots in compact travel umbrellas into a complete destination for outdoor and weather-protective living.

Our Compact Windproof Automatic Travel Umbrella fits in any bag.

Our Long-Term Goals

1. Become the UK's leading umbrella retailer. We will expand our range from compact travel umbrellas to encompass  he full breadth of what the market demands — double canopy and windproof umbrellas built for the fiercest British gusts; oversized and golf umbrellas for those who refuse to be inconvenienced; sunproof umbrellas for the seasons that surprise us with warmth; premium umbrellas that carry genuine craftsmanship; clear-top designs that don't sacrifice style for shelter; bold, colourful umbrellas that make a statement; and reverse, inside-out umbrellas that make getting in and out of the car a pleasure rather than a battle.

2. Expand into full-spectrum weather protection. An umbrella is only the beginning. Our longer horizon is a comprehensive range of weather-protective equipment — camping tents, beach tents, and car roof tents for the adventurous spirit; waterproof clothing that performs without compromise; parasols, garden umbrellas, awnings, and gazebos that transform outdoor living. Kemfon will be the brand British families reach for, whether they are heading to the hills, the coast, or simply their own back garden.

3. Build a brand defined by trust, not transactions. Longevity in this business — or any business — comes not from chasing the next sale, but from earning the next generation of customers. We will invest in customer relationships, stand behind every product we sell, and measure our success not only in revenue, but in reputation.

4. Lead on sustainability. The outdoor and weather protection industry has a responsibility to the very environment it equips people to enjoy. We are committed to sourcing responsibly, reducing waste across our supply chain, and progressively moving toward materials and practices that leave the world in better shape than we found it.

5. Grow with purpose. Kemfon will grow — but never recklessly. Every new category we enter, every new product we add, will be held to the same standard that built this business: does it genuinely serve our customer? Does it deserve the Kemfon name? Growth without integrity is just noise. We intend to be around for a very long time.