The hunting apparel industry in Europe thrives by catering to outdoor enthusiasts with a range of specialized clothing. Including everything from durable jackets and pants to accessories such as boots and camouflage gear, this sector tailors its offerings to meet the demands of hunters, wildlife observers, and outdoor adventurers. Brands often emphasize functionality, comfort, and durability, ensuring products withstand tough environments. With shifting lifestyle trends favoring outdoor activities, sustainability and ethical production are shaping the future of the industry. Innovations in fabric technology and design are also on the rise, enhancing performance while addressing climate impact.

The investors spotlighted in this article represent a blend of corporate players, private equity firms, and venture capitalists, all focusing on the hunting apparel sector. Based primarily in key cities like London and Stockholm, these investors range in size from small teams to large corporations with thousands of employees. Founded as early as 1945, they made over 70 investments in 2024 across various companies. With their strategic financial approach, they are instrumental in shaping the growth trajectory of this niche market.

Top 13 Hunting Apparel Investors in Europe

1. 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 emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services. Notable transactions include Alpkit, which raised £2.25m for outdoor clothing and equipment, and Planks Clothing, which raised significant funds in multiple rounds. These companies operate within the outdoor apparel sector, which may include hunting apparel, showcasing Crowdcube's involvement in relevant industries.

2. Frasers Group

• Website: frasers.group
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1982
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 20
• LinkedIn: frasers-group

Frasers Group plc is a corporate retail company based in London, England, founded in 1982. It operates various brands in the sports and fashion sectors, including Sports Direct and Jack Wills, offering a wide range of products such as clothing, footwear, and sporting goods. Notably, Frasers Group has made strategic acquisitions that align with outdoor and sporting activities, including Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) in 2017 and Field & Trek.Com Ltd in 2007, both of which cater to outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, they acquired Karrimor in 2004, a brand known for outdoor gear, further emphasizing their commitment to the outdoor market. These transactions highlight Frasers Group's involvement in sectors that intersect with hunting apparel, making them a relevant player in this space.

3. 3i Group plc

• Website: 3i.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1945
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: 3i-group-plc

3i Group plc is a private equity investment firm based in London, England, founded in 1945. The firm specializes in private equity and infrastructure investments, focusing on providing capital and expertise to mid-market companies to help them grow sustainably. 3i Group has a strong international presence and a diverse portfolio. Notably, they have made significant investments in companies relevant to the hunting apparel sector, such as acquiring a significant minority stake in GO Outdoors for £28 million in 2011, which supports the growth of outdoor retail, and acquiring Rohan Designs in 1991, a brand known for outdoor clothing. These transactions highlight 3i Group's commitment to the outdoor apparel market, which overlaps with hunting apparel, thereby creating value for stakeholders through strategic investments in this niche.

4. 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, specializing in early-stage investments in technology-enabled businesses within consumer industries. Founded in 2002, the firm has a track record of providing funding and strategic support to help businesses grow in competitive markets. Notably, Venrex has invested in Jöttnar, which raised funds in seed rounds in 2017 and 2018, focusing on outdoor and performance apparel, relevant to the hunting apparel sector. Additionally, Venrex led a Series A investment in Vollebak, a direct-to-consumer clothing company known for its innovative and high-performance apparel, further indicating its interest in the apparel market. These transactions highlight Venrex's engagement in sectors that could intersect with hunting apparel, making it a noteworthy investor in this space.

5. Verdane

• Website: verdane.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
• Founded year: 1985
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: verdane-capital

Verdane is a private equity investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 1985. The firm specializes in growth equity investments, primarily targeting technology-enabled companies. Verdane provides capital and hands-on support to help businesses scale, with a focus on digitalization and decarbonization trends. Notably, Verdane has made several investments in the outdoor and hunting sectors, including the acquisition of Maskinklippet.se and Hylte Jakt och Lantman, which aim to create a leading Nordic niche e-tailer in forestry, gardening, hunting, and outdoor products. Additionally, their acquisition of Silva, a provider of niche outdoor sports equipment, further demonstrates their engagement in the outdoor market, which includes hunting apparel.

6. Ldc

• Website: ldc.co.uk
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1981
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 15
• LinkedIn: ldc

Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. They focus on helping management teams achieve their growth ambitions through investment and advisory services, fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Notable transactions include a significant minority stake in Mountain Warehouse, a UK outdoor clothing retailer, which aligns with the outdoor and potentially hunting apparel market. LDC has also invested in Joules Clothing, a brand that, while not exclusively hunting-focused, operates in the broader clothing sector. Their diverse portfolio and strategic investments indicate a willingness to support companies that may intersect with the hunting apparel industry.

7. Altor Equity Partners

• Website: altor.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 2003
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable growth for its partners through tailored investment strategies and digital transformation solutions. Altor has been involved in several notable transactions in the outdoor and sporting goods sector, including their investment in XXL Sport & Villmark, which raised over $8.9 million in post-IPO equity, and Revolution Race, which received venture funding. Additionally, Altor acquired Rossignol, a well-known brand in outdoor sports, further emphasizing their commitment to the outdoor apparel and equipment market. Their investments in companies like Dale of Norway and XXL also highlight their engagement with brands that cater to outdoor enthusiasts, including those interested in hunting apparel.

8. EQT Group

• Website: eqtgroup.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 30
• LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the outdoor and sporting goods industry, which includes hunting apparel. Their acquisition of XXL Sport & Villmark, a leading sports retail chain in the Nordic region, highlights their commitment to expanding in the outdoor retail space. Additionally, their acquisition of Lundhags skomakarna, known for outdoor clothing and footwear, further emphasizes their focus on sectors that align with hunting and outdoor activities. These transactions demonstrate EQT's strategic interest in companies that cater to outdoor enthusiasts, making them a relevant player in the hunting apparel market.

9. Almi

• Website: almi.se
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden, aiming to enhance their growth and competitiveness. Almi has been involved in various transactions within the fashion and apparel sector, including investments in Elevenate, a Swedish fashion manufacturer and retailer, which raised $2M for expansion, and Kittelfjall, which raised $553716 in a seed round. These transactions suggest that Almi is active in the apparel industry, which may include segments relevant to hunting apparel, although their primary focus is not exclusively on this niche.

10. LBO France

• Website: lbofrance.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 1985
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: lbo-france

LBO France is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, founded in 1985. The firm specializes in private equity, real estate, and venture capital, focusing on creating value through strategic investments in mid-cap and small-cap companies. LBO France has a commitment to ESG principles, ensuring sustainable and responsible investment practices. Notably, they have been involved in various transactions, including the acquisition of Amahorse, a prominent player in equestrian apparel, which aligns with outdoor and hunting apparel markets. Other significant transactions include the acquisition of Bexley, a footwear brand, and IKKS, a clothing brand, showcasing their active role in the apparel sector. Their diverse portfolio and recent activities suggest a potential interest in the hunting apparel industry.

11. True.

• Website: true.global
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2014
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: truegloballive

True is a private equity investment firm based in London, England, founded in 2014. They specialize in venture capital and private equity, focusing on the retail, consumer, and technology sectors. True provides funding, innovation support, and strategic guidance to startups and established brands, helping them navigate market challenges and achieve growth. Notably, True has made several significant investments in the apparel sector, including a recent acquisition of Apparel Brands (ABL), which owns various clothing brands. This acquisition reflects their commitment to the apparel industry, although it does not specifically target hunting apparel. Additionally, their investment in Represent, a luxury streetwear brand, and their stake in Frugi, an organic children's clothing maker, further demonstrate their active role in the broader apparel market.

12. Mobeus

• Website: mobeus.co.uk
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn: mobeus-equity-partners

Mobeus Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in London, specializing in equity investments in UK-based SMEs. Founded in 2012, Mobeus partners with management teams to provide funding for management buyouts and equity releases, facilitating growth and strategic development across various sectors. Notably, Mobeus has been involved in transactions relevant to the outdoor apparel industry, including the acquisition of Equip Outdoor Technologies in 2011, which is known for its outdoor clothing and equipment, potentially including hunting apparel. Additionally, their investment in Wetsuit Outlet in 2017, which aims to expand into equestrian and field sports, further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that intersect with hunting apparel. Overall, Mobeus focuses on delivering strong returns for stakeholders while maintaining a diverse investment portfolio.

13. New Wave Group

• Website: nwg.se
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
• Founded year: 1990
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• LinkedIn: new-wave-group

New Wave Group AB is a corporate investor based in Gothenburg, Sweden, specializing in the creation, acquisition, and development of brands and products across various sectors, including corporate, sports, gifts, and home. Founded in 1990, the company has grown to employ between 1001 and 5000 people. Notably, New Wave Group has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its market presence. In 2023, they acquired Tenson AB, an outdoor brand, which aligns with their strategy to expand into the outdoor segment. This acquisition is particularly relevant as it may encompass outdoor apparel that could include hunting-related products. Other significant acquisitions include Cutter & Buck Inc., a designer of upscale sportswear, and BTC Activewear, a multi-brand distributor of clothing and accessories, which further diversifies their portfolio. These transactions reflect New Wave Group's commitment to enhancing their offerings in the apparel market, potentially including hunting apparel as part of their outdoor segment expansion.

Hunting Apparel Insights: Key Investors in Europe

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Crowdcube	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	2010	3
Frasers Group	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	10001+	1982	20
3i Group plc	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	201-500	1945	3
Venrex	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	2002	11
Verdane	Oslo, Oslo, Norway	51-200	1985	7
Ldc	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	51-200	1981	15
Altor Equity Partners	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	51-200	2003	6
EQT Group	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	1001-5000	1994	30
Almi	Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden	201-500	1994	7
LBO France	Paris, Île-De-France, France	51-200	1985	6
True.	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	2014	4
Mobeus	London, England, United Kingdom (UK)	11-50	2012	0
New Wave Group	Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden	1001-5000	1990	0

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