RSS

Spa company escapes with Capital cash

Article Date:  Oct 07 2008 Mark Dunne

A luxury spa tour operator is ready to boost its sales after raising a six-figure sum as part of a plan to develop its business. Essential Escapes received £200,000 from The Capital Fund, a venture capitalist that backs small businesses in Greater London. An additional £40,000 was provided by its shareholders.  

Founder and managing director Emma Barnett said the investment would be used in several ways. “Developing our sales team is one of our major focuses as we expand the holiday options we offer, including new hotels and destinations.” 

She added that this is not the only area where the investment will be used. “We are also looking at continually improving how we communicate with our clients, including using text messaging and mobile devices if that’s what’s most convenient for them.”

The Capital Fund’s team was led by investment director Ian Cameron, who said the deal is a departure for the fund as this is its first venture in the tourism sector.

Essential Escapes has an 11-strong team arranging tailor-made holidays for solo travellers and family holidays through its Tots Too brand.  

The Capital Fund has been investing its £50 million warchest since it was established in 2002, making it the largest of the UK’s nine regional funds.

Comments 

There are currently no comments on this article

Sign up and get...

  • Regular GrowthBusiness newsletters
  • Post comments on articles
Sign up

Research

VCT Special Report 2008

A comprehensive report on VCTs and over £1 billion in investment trusts just waiting to be invested in fast growth ventures.

Cash Shells 2008

A comprehensive overview of cash shells on AIM, companies that have become a significant feature on the AIM landscape.

More

Events Calendar

Rosenblatt New Energy Awards

25th February, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

M&A Awards 2009

18th February, London Hilton, Park Lane, London

M&A Expanding internationally

27th November, Sofitel London St James

More

More News: Fundraising Deals

Fuel distribution business wins investment

Rowilco Fuels, a Liverpool-based fuel distribution company, has received £600,000 from venture capital firm Alliance Fund Managers (AFM).

Emerging markets fund raises $2.9 billion

Private equity firm Actis has raised US$2.9 billion (£1.9 billion) to invest in emerging markets, exceeding its target of $2.5 billion.

Key deal is Catapult’s 26th this year

Midlands-based investor Catapult Venture Managers has revealed it invested £850,000 in the flotation of engineering company Key Technologies.

Advertisement

Related articles

Fuel distribution business wins investment

Rowilco Fuels, a Liverpool-based fuel distribution company, has received £600,000 from venture capital firm Alliance Fund Managers (AFM).

Octopus tops up 21Net investment

Venture capitalist Octopus has invested a further £220,000 in 21Net, a specialist in broadband provision on high-speed trains.

We're in recession, says Moulton

Jon Moulton, the founder of private equity group Alchemy Partners, says it’s time for entrepreneurs to ‘stop worrying about prosperity and to start thinking about survival’.

Catapult backs Sight and Sound BIMBO

Sight and Sound Technology, a supplier of IT services for people who are blind or have learning difficulties, has completed a buy-in management buy-out (BIMBO). The deal was backed by Midlands-based venture capitalist Catapult Venture Managers, which invested £1.45 million, with senior debt from The Co-operative Bank.

Poll

What's your reaction to the Pre-Budget Report?



Have your vote on current issues

People who read this also read

  • Octopus tops up 21Net investment

    Venture capitalist Octopus has invested a further £220,000 in 21Net, a specialist in broadband provision on high-speed trains.

  • NVM backs ex-Ithaca management team

    The former management team of Ithaca Business Media has secured £7 million from NVM Private Equity to fund a new business. CloserStill Holdings has been created to purchase mid-sized exhibitions and event businesses, which the management believes it can sell on to larger players.

  • Funding boost for ethical retailer

    EthicalSuperstore.com, a Newcastle-based retailer of fair trade and ethical goods, has received £1 million in a third round of venture capital (VC) financing. The funding round, which brings total investment in the company to more than £2 million, was led by existing backer NorthStar Equity Investors (NSEI).

  • Online learning provider nets six-figure sum

    Guroo, a company that creates online learning packages for schools and colleges, has secured £440,000 in a deal led by NorthStar Equity Investors.

  • LCA shuts up shop to new investments

    AIM-listed cleantech investor Low Carbon Accelerator (LCA) does not anticipate making any new investments until it has achieved at least one exit, according to a statement released today. The firm’s management team has decided, ‘given current market conditions, to focus resources on supporting existing portfolio companies’.

White Papers

Better Roads

Serves the information needs of governments and construction contractors involved in Federal, State, County, City and Township highway, road and bridge construction, winter maintenance, roadside and vegetation management and other highway-related projects.

Defense Systems

Focuses on the "information-centric" transformation that is sweeping the defense and intelligence communities.

Governing

Is a monthly magazine whose primary audience is state and local government officials: governors, legislators, mayors, city managers, council members and other elected, appointed and career officials.

More

Free prize draw!

Complete our short survey and you could win a bottle of champagne.

Click here to enter the