The hair salon industry in Europe is a vibrant mix of traditional service providers and innovative beauty brands. Ranging from high-end luxury salons to value-focused chains, the sector caters to diverse consumer needs, offering haircuts, styling, coloring, and treatment procedures. Many salons now integrate wellness services and eco-friendly products, reflecting growing consumer awareness of health and sustainability. Additionally, as digital platforms increasingly facilitate bookings and transactions, salons are evolving to enhance the customer experience. These shifts imply a promising future as salons adapt to trends like personalized services and technology integration, ensuring continued growth in this dynamic industry.

Investors in the European hair salon sector exhibit varied backgrounds, including corporate, venture capital, and private equity types. Most investors are headquartered in thriving cities such as London and Paris, ranging from established multinational corporations like Unilever and L'Oréal, to agile venture firms like Index Ventures. Collectively, they employ between 11 to over 10,000 people and made strategic investments in 2024, with notable deal counts, indicating a sustained interest in enhancing the beauty and hair sectors through innovation and growth initiatives.

Top 12 Hair Salon Investors in Europe

1. L'Oréal

• Website: loreal.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 1909
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: lor%c3%a9al

L'Oréal S.A. is a prominent cosmetics manufacturer based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1909. The company specializes in a wide range of personal care products, including skin care, make-up, hair care, and perfumes. L'Oréal has a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability in its operations. Notably, L'Oréal has made several strategic acquisitions in the hair care sector, including Matrix Essentials in 2000, Redken in 1993, Pureology Research in 2007, and Pulp Riot in 2018. These acquisitions highlight L'Oréal's dedication to enhancing its portfolio in the hair care market, particularly targeting professional hair salons and stylists. Pulp Riot, for instance, is an American hair color brand that has gained traction in the haircare market, further solidifying L'Oréal's position as a key player in the hair salon industry.

2. Unilever Ventures

• Website: unileverventures.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2002
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 9
• LinkedIn: unileverventures

Unilever Ventures is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2002. They specialize in investing in emerging brands and technologies, particularly within the beauty and wellness sectors. Their mission is to empower entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to build strong consumer brands by providing capital and leveraging Unilever's extensive network. Notable transactions include their investment in Blow, which raised $4.5 million in Series A funding, directly linking them to the hair salon industry. They also invested in Arata, which raised $4 million in Series A funding, and Straand, an Aussie scalp care brand that secured funding for international expansion, indicating their active role in the hair care market. Their portfolio includes various beauty and wellness startups, showcasing their commitment to supporting brands that align with consumer needs in the hair and beauty space.

3. Crowdcube

• Website: crowdcube.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the hair salon industry, including My Beauty Squad, which raised $77,737 in October 2020, and Cutbox, which raised $613,893 in June 2023. These investments highlight Crowdcube's commitment to supporting businesses in the beauty and hair salon sector, making it a significant player in this space.

4. Unilever

• Website: unilever.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1872
• Headcount: 10001+
• LinkedIn: unilever

Unilever PLC is a multinational consumer goods company based in London, England, founded in 1872. The company offers a diverse range of products, including food, beauty, personal care, and cleaning agents, with a strong commitment to sustainability. Unilever has made significant investments in the beauty and personal care sector, particularly in hair care. Notably, they acquired Living Proof in December 2016, a brand recognized for its innovative hair care solutions. In December 2023, Unilever agreed to acquire K18 Hair, a premium biotech haircare brand, as part of its strategy to enhance its portfolio in high-growth sectors. This acquisition aims to expand Unilever's Prestige portfolio with culturally-relevant consumer brands. Additionally, Unilever Ventures has invested in Pureplay Skin Sciences Ltd, which operates the vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand Plum, further demonstrating their commitment to the beauty and personal care market.

5. Thg

• Website: thg.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2004
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: thehutgroup

THG plc, founded in 2004 and based in Manchester, England, is a corporate investor specializing in digital e-commerce, particularly in beauty and nutrition products. The company operates through its divisions, THG Beauty and THG Nutrition, and has made significant acquisitions to enhance its portfolio in the beauty sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Grow Gorgeous, a haircare brand, which has seen substantial growth, indicating THG's commitment to the haircare market. Additionally, THG has acquired other beauty retailers such as DermStore and Cult Beauty, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the beauty industry. With a focus on innovation and customer engagement, THG leverages its technology and infrastructure to enhance the shopping experience for beauty and haircare products.

6. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération

• Website: bpifrance.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2015
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 198
• LinkedIn: bpifrance-french-tech-acc%c3%a9l%c3%a9ration

Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a public entity and financial institution based in Paris, Île-De-France, founded in 2015. It supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally by providing a range of services including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. Bpifrance aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation through coaching and partnerships, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has invested in Planity, which raised significant funding in Series A and Series B rounds, focusing on improving tools and services for hair salons. Additionally, it has invested in other startups like Maison Hädenn, which, while not directly a hair salon, operates in the beauty and personal care space, further showcasing its interest in related sectors.

7. Lvmh

• Website: lvmh.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 1987
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn: lvmh

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is a leading luxury goods manufacturer and retailer based in Paris, France. Founded in 1987, the company offers a diverse range of high-quality products across various sectors, including fashion, leather goods, wines, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, and jewelry. LVMH serves affluent consumers and businesses, providing exclusive brands that embody craftsmanship and heritage. Notably, LVMH has made significant acquisitions in the beauty sector, including Ole Henriksen, a U.S. botanical skincare brand, and Benefit Cosmetics, a well-known cosmetics line. Their acquisition of Sephora, a major beauty retailer, further emphasizes their commitment to the beauty market. These transactions highlight LVMH's strategic focus on expanding its portfolio in the beauty and personal care industries, which are closely related to hair care and salon services.

8. Index Ventures

• Website: indexventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 67
• LinkedIn: index-ventures

Index Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 1996, based in London, UK, that invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. They provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of growing their businesses. Notably, Index Ventures has invested in the hair salon and beauty industry, with significant transactions such as Josh Wood Colour, which raised $6.5M in Series A funding to expand its hair color operations, and Beautystack, which secured £4 million in seed funding to empower beauty professionals. These investments reflect their commitment to building long-term partnerships with founders in the beauty sector, aiming to drive success and innovation in the industry.

9. Eurazeo

• Website: eurazeo.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 1969
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 40
• LinkedIn: eurazeo

Eurazeo is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, private debt, and real assets. Founded in 1969, the firm has established a significant presence in the investment management landscape, particularly in Europe. Eurazeo focuses on tailored investment strategies aimed at fostering growth and expansion across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and beauty. Notably, Eurazeo has made strategic investments in the haircare industry, such as leading a Series B funding round for Gisou, a haircare brand co-founded by Negin Mirsalehi, aimed at enhancing its wholesale and direct-to-consumer businesses. Additionally, Eurazeo's acquisition of DESSANGE International, a well-known name in the hair salon industry, further demonstrates their commitment to investing in businesses that cater to the beauty and haircare market. These transactions highlight Eurazeo's active role in the hair salon and beauty sectors, making them a relevant investor in this category.

10. Coty

• Website: coty.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
• Founded year: 1904
• Headcount: 10001+
• LinkedIn: coty

Coty Inc. is a global beauty company founded in 1904, headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of a diverse range of beauty products, including fragrances, cosmetics, and skincare. Coty serves both consumers and beauty professionals, emphasizing innovative solutions that celebrate diverse beauty. Notably, Coty has made significant acquisitions that enhance its presence in the hair salon industry, including the acquisition of ghd, a premium hairstyling brand, for £420 million in 2016, aimed at strengthening its position in the professional hair category. Additionally, Coty's acquisition of OPI Nail Lacquers in 2010 further demonstrates its commitment to the professional salon market, as OPI is a well-known brand within nail care, often used in salons. These transactions highlight Coty's strategic focus on the beauty and salon sectors, making it a relevant investor in the hair salon industry.

11. Venrex

• Website: venrex.partners
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2002
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn: venrex

Venrex is a venture capital firm based in London, England, specializing in early-stage investments in technology-enabled businesses within consumer industries. Founded in 2002, Venrex provides funding and strategic support to help these businesses grow and succeed in competitive markets. Notably, Venrex participated in the Series A funding round for Josh Wood Colour, a London-based hair color company, which secured $6.5M to expand its operations. This investment highlights Venrex's engagement in the hair and beauty sector. Additionally, Venrex has invested in other beauty-related companies, such as Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and VIEVE, further showcasing its focus on consumer brands in the beauty industry.

12. HV Capital

• Website: hvcapital.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 28
• LinkedIn: hvventures

HV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit, managing over €2.8 billion in assets. Among their notable transactions, HV Capital invested in Vaniday, a beauty and wellness startup that provides essential tools for salons, indicating their engagement in the hair salon industry. Additionally, they have invested in GLOSSYBOX, a beauty subscription service, which further highlights their interest in the beauty sector. These investments demonstrate HV Capital's commitment to supporting businesses that cater to the beauty and wellness market, including hair salons.

Hair Salon Insights: Key Investors in Europe

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