Our recent June pitch event featured growth stage investment opportunities in consumer brands and marketplaces.

Despite a challenging economic backdrop that has hit the consumer sector hard, talented founders creating growing consumer brands are standing out as offering compelling opportunities with significant potential at an early stage.

Three founders presented to our investor audience and we are delighted to share more information about each business in the summary below.

Please do get in touch for further information, including the opportunity to speak directly to any of the founders featured.

Freestar

A Global Award Winning, B Corp Certified Alcohol Free Beer

• Founders: Felix von Hurter, Eddy Dallas
• Sector: F&B/Consumer Brand
• Stage: Early and Growth
• Channel: Omnichannel D2C/B2B
• Traction: 2023 sales approaching £1m
• Raise: £1m EIS eligible
• Contact: greg@pa-capitalpartners.com

Changing trends and drinking habits are driving a rapid expansion in the no and low alcohol market, highlighted in CGA’s recent food and drink industry survey, ‘Leading the Way in No and Low Spirits’.

The report states that 4 in 5 of the surveyed bars plan to increase their no and low offering in 2023, with data indicating that the market is set to grow exponentially over  the next decade.

The alcohol-free beer market is quickly gaining traction. Consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits of alcohol-free consumption, but do not want to compromise on the quality of taste when compared to alcoholic equivalents.

Freestar was formed by its drinks industry experienced founders to produce an alcohol-free beer that actually tastes like alcohol-full beer. It’s global award winning alcohol-free beer is also the world’s first to receive B Corp certification.

An incredible response to its taste quality has led to Freestar securing listings in Sainsbury’s and Ocado, and established distribution in over 200 highly influential on trade listings, including Nando’s, Dishoom, Pho and Mercato Metropolitan.

Following a successful 2022 crowd and angel funding round of £500k, Freestar is now raising £1m to support growth plans to be the most exciting alcohol-free beer company in the UK and then the world.

LiBi

Making Hotels and Rentals Shoppable – The ‘Try Before You Buy’ B2B2C Platform

• Founder: Suzanne Mahoney
• Sector: Consumer Marketplace
• Stage: Seed/Early Growth
• Channel: B2B2C
• Traction: Early sales/brands onboarded
• Raise: £1m EIS eligible
• Contact: celia@pa-capitalpartners.com

Brands are seeking creative ways of connecting with consumers, recognising that experience led can be an integral part of the purchasing journey. Alongside this, the hospitality industry is looking for ways to strengthen engagement and increase bookings.

Hotel Benchmark recently highlighted that hotel website revenues have jumped from pandemic levels, despite the cost of living crisis and other political and economic challenges.

Informed travellers are also seeking better brand connection, with Skift reporting that there is an increasing focus on creating a deeper connection with guests.

Combining the experience of a stay in a hotel or rental with the opportunity for brands to use these as the ‘ultimate showroom’ is a compelling concept.

LiBi has successfully combined this into its platform, revolutionising the hospitality industry and creating unforgettable experience for guests.

Consumers in a holiday rental mindset are looking for more than a product and craving an experience. LiBi links hotels, rentals and lifestyle brands with guests who are seeking a ‘try before you buy’ experience that mainstream online retailers cannot offer.

Having successfully raised £429k to date, LiBi is now seeking investment of £1m to turbocharge its growth.

Kimeze

Redefining The Benchmark Fit in Eyewear

• Founder: Clare Kimeze
• Sector: Consumer Brand
• Stage: Seed/Early Growth
• Channel: Omnichannel B2B/D2C
• Traction: Selling with secured retail partners
• Raise: £600k EIS eligible
• Contact: pippa@pa-capitalpartners.com

Sisters Clare and Christina Kimeze realised that the eyewear industry was not designing glasses to fit them; through their research, they found that eyewear is designed to fit Caucasian features, and whilst an East Asian fit was introduced in the 80’s, no one was making glasses for them.

Kimeze was launched a year ago, selling stylish, aspirational eyewear and filling a long overlooked gap in the market. The brand has received an unprecedented reception from A-List retailers, quick to realise the potential of the brand. It’s already in a second season with Net-A-Porter and has listings in Mr Porter, Shopbop, Nordstrom, Mona Operandi, Saks Fifth Avenue, Zalando, Cult Mia and McMullen Boutique.

This has enabled Kimeze to enlist the support of A-List celebrities, notably Idris Elba, Bruno Mars and Alain Welteroth, with a combined reach of 40m people.

With high gross margins on a price tag of over £200 per item, on-line economics are also highly attractive.

Following a successful initial funding round, Kimeze is now seeking investment to support growth across distribution channels and capitalise on growing brand awareness through its own D2C website.

PACP Partners With Impact Ventures Group – A New Female Angels Syndicate Investing in Female Founders

We are proud to announce our new partnership with Impact Ventures Group.

Founded by PACP partner, Célia Pronto, and Carmen Romero, Impact Ventures will invest in female (or those identifying as female) founders, aligning themselves with at least one of the UN SDG’s with the aim of creating a lasting impact.

We look forward to collaborating with them on joint events and fundraising opportunities.