Sessions raises £3m from Guinness Ventures

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Food content business Sessions has raised a further £3m from existing investors Guinness Ventures as it seeks to expand on its technology offering while launching a new franchising arm, starting with its SoBe Burger and Ivan Ramen brands.

In less than three years of operation, the Sessions Platform has grown to £55m in sales. The raise follows a £3.25m deal closed with Virgin Money in the autumn and sees the company double its valuation from Series A.

Founded in 2020 by former Deliveroo executive Dan Warne, Sessions is the UK growth platform for food brands and experiences. 

Billing itself as a ‘record label, but for food’, the company specialises in brand development, technology and franchising with the ambition to bring ‘non-stop originality to kitchens and consumers everywhere’.

Sessions’ brand portfolio includes Sobe Burger, Little Bao Boy and Kenny Tutt’s Patty Guy, and extends to partnerships with international brands including Ivan Ramen. 

Sessions also operates a food hall on Brighton seafront. 

“It is rare to have such supportive investors as Guinness, and we are very pleased to see the confidence they have shown in our business following this second, meaningful investment,” Warne says. “The resilience and drive of our team is what you want to see as a Founder, navigating a tricky couple of years, and we’re seeing the benefits of that as we deliver very strong, sustainable growth”

Head of origination at Guinness Ashley Abrahams added: “Dan and the team have done a fantastic job in delivering great growth whilst remaining capital efficient, navigating challenging economic conditions. The team have been a pleasure to work with and with massive opportunity for further growth ahead, it was an easy decision to lead a further funding round.”

https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2023/08/15/Dan-Warne-on-his-food-licensing-business-Sessions