Imbiba announces first close of its new £90m fund
The new fund will provide growth capital to ‘support the expansion of leading businesses from across the leisure, lifestyle and entertainment sector.’
The new fund’s first investment was into Little Houses Group, a collection of nurseries and family members clubs, created by Charlie Gardiner, founder of hospitality business Incipio Group.
The first venue, Kensal House Nursery and Jaego’s House, which launched in Kensal Rise earlier this year, features a nursery, creche, kids’ club, jungle gym and soft play, kids’ cinema and snug, as well as a waterside cafe & restaurant, gym and fitness classes, treatment rooms and co-workspace.
With ambitious plans to scale the business and multiple new venues planned in the coming years, Imbiba will provide capital and support for the management team to expand the business.
Imbiba says it has developed and supported more companies in the UK leisure, lifestyle and entertainment sectors than any other UK investment firm.
The group’s current portfolio in the hospitality space includes Pizza Pilgrims, F1 Arcade, Vagabond Wine (pictured), Clays and Farmer J.
“The significant investment we have secured for our new fund is a huge vote of confidence for Imbiba and the wider leisure, lifestyle and entertainment sector in the UK," says Imbiba managing partner Darrel Connell.
“With our experience and track record, this new fund puts us in a unique position to support more leading entrepreneurs and high growth businesses than ever before, during a period of significant market uncertainly and volatility. At a time when others are retreating from the sector we see this as the opportune time to support the brand heroes of tomorrow.”
