The pet boarding and daycare industry in Europe caters to a growing demand for quality care for pets during times when owners are away. It includes a range of operations such as boarding facilities, daycare centers, and premium pet hotels. Companies in this space offer services from basic overnight stays to luxurious accommodations with spa treatments, play areas, and professional grooming. With increasing pet ownership and a focus on pet well-being, this industry is likely to see steady growth. Innovative options like technology-driven solutions and personalized services are becoming more prevalent, appealing to a discerning clientele.


This list features 13 prominent investors in the European pet boarding and daycare sector. Among them are private equity firms like EQT Group and venture capital sources like Kima Ventures. Headquartered across key cities in Europe such as Stockholm and London, they vary in size from small teams to significant firms with thousands of employees. Each investor's focus on the pet care market reflects their strategic positioning toward a booming industry, noted by varying deal counts—from single transactions to over fifty in 2024.


Top 13 Pet Boarding and Daycare Investors in Europe


1. CVS Group plc

  • Website: cvsukltd.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Diss, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn:

CVS Group plc is a corporate investor based in Diss, England, specializing in veterinary services for small animals, equine, and farm animals. Founded in 1999, the company operates a network of veterinary practices across the UK, providing comprehensive care, pet insurance, and health programs. In 2022, CVS Group plc made a significant acquisition by purchasing Quality Pet Care Ltd for £20.4 million, which has been cleared by the UK Competition & Markets Authority. This acquisition indicates CVS's commitment to expanding its services in the pet care sector, including potential boarding and daycare services. Additionally, CVS has a history of acquiring various veterinary practices, such as Mildmay Veterinary Centres and Severn Edge Veterinary Group, which further demonstrates their active role in enhancing animal care services. These transactions highlight CVS Group plc's strategic focus on growing its footprint in the pet care industry, making them a relevant player in the pet boarding and daycare market.


2. 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 private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in a diverse range of investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing varied investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT has made significant strides in the pet care industry through its acquisitions of Independent Vetcare, the third largest veterinary services provider in the UK, and Evidensia Djursjukvård, the Nordic market leader in veterinary services. In 2021, EQT also participated in a substantial funding round for IVC Evidensia, Europe's largest veterinary care provider. More recently, in October 2023, EQT acquired VetPartners, further expanding its footprint in the veterinary services sector. Additionally, EQT's acquisition of Musti ja Mirri Group, a leading pet specialty retailer in the Nordic countries, highlights their commitment to the pet care market.


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. Crowdcube has a strong focus on promoting 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 pet industry, including K9 Nation, which raised $241,504 in February 2021, Aristopet with $182,144 in August 2020, HOWND raising $134,576 in April 2021, PitPat which raised $971,392 in December 2016, and Pawprint with $433,724 in April 2020. These investments highlight Crowdcube's active role in supporting businesses that cater to pet owners, making it a significant player in the pet boarding and daycare context.


4. August Equity

  • Website: augustequity.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: augustequity

August Equity is a private equity investment firm based in London, UK, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in managing investments in service-oriented businesses across various sectors, including healthcare, education, business services, and technology. August Equity partners with experienced management teams to drive growth and innovation, providing capital and strategic support to enhance their portfolio companies' operations. Notably, August Equity has made significant investments in the pet care sector, acquiring Independent Vetcare in 2011 and VetPartners in 2015, both of which are key players in veterinary services. Additionally, they raised funds for Pet Cremation Services in 2015, further demonstrating their commitment to the pet care industry. Their acquisition of Westpoint Veterinary Group in 2014, aimed at growing it into a leading livestock health group, also reflects their strategic focus on the broader pet and animal health market.


5. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Blue River PetCare in July 2019 for over $440 million, marking a significant investment in the pet care industry. Additionally, they facilitated debt financing for Greencross, which raised over $1.1 billion in March 2022, further emphasizing their engagement in the pet sector. These transactions highlight Partners Group's active role in the pet boarding and daycare market, making them a relevant investor in this space.


6. JamJar Investments


JamJar Investments is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage consumer tech brands, providing both financial backing and strategic support to help these companies grow. JamJar has a strong track record of building relationships with consumer brands, leveraging their experience from previous successful ventures. Notably, they have invested in several companies within the pet industry, including ManyPets, which raised funds in a Series B round in 2018, and Tails.com, which received funding in both Seed and Series A rounds in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Additionally, they participated in the Seed round for Marleybones in 2024, further emphasizing their commitment to the pet sector. Their involvement in Koru Kids, which focuses on childcare, also showcases their interest in services related to care, aligning with the pet boarding and daycare context.


7. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, UK, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF focuses on addressing the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has made significant investments in the childcare sector, including a €10.5 million investment in Tigers Childcare and multiple rounds of funding for Kids Planet, a nursery care and education business. Additionally, BGF has invested £6 million in Scrumbles, a natural pet food brand, highlighting their engagement in the pet industry. This diverse portfolio indicates BGF's willingness to support businesses in various sectors, including pet-related ventures.


8. Kima Ventures

  • Website: kimaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 50
  • LinkedIn: kima-ventures

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Notably, Kima Ventures has participated in funding rounds for several pet-related companies, including Dalma, a French pet insurance startup that raised €15 million in Series A funding, and Barkibu, which raised $362,791 in a Seed Round. Their portfolio also includes Hachiko, another pet-related startup, indicating a consistent interest in the pet industry.


9. SoftBank Investment Advisers


SoftBank Investment Advisers, also known as the SoftBank Vision Fund, is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 and based in London, UK. The firm specializes in investing in technology-focused companies, particularly those innovating in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Their diverse portfolio spans various sectors, including health tech and fintech. Notably, SoftBank has made significant investments in the pet care industry, including a $300 million investment in Wag, a prominent dog-walking service, which highlights their engagement in the pet boarding and daycare market. Additionally, they led a $75 million Series B funding round for Embark Veterinary, a company dedicated to enhancing dog health and longevity. These investments reflect SoftBank's strategic interest in the pet care sector, alongside their broader focus on technology-driven companies.


10. 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. HV Capital has been involved in various transactions, including notable investments in the pet sector. They participated in the Series B funding round for Felmo, a Berlin-based pet health startup, which raised €15 million to expand its services and e-commerce offerings. Additionally, HV Capital was involved in earlier funding rounds for Felmo, indicating a sustained interest in the company. They also invested in Besser Betreut, a platform that connects pet owners with caregivers, further showcasing their engagement in the pet care services market. This diverse portfolio highlights HV Capital's commitment to supporting innovative companies within the pet industry.


11. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC is known for delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC made a significant acquisition in the pet industry by acquiring Petco for $4.6 billion in March 2016. Petco is a leading pet supply retailer that also provides various pet services, including boarding and daycare, highlighting CVC's interest in the pet sector. This strategic investment aligns with their broader investment strategy, showcasing their capability to engage in diverse markets while maintaining a focus on growth and value creation.


12. Nestlé

  • Website: nestle.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1866
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: nestle-s-a-

Nestlé S.A. is a multinational food and beverage company based in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1866. With over 10,000 employees, Nestlé offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and notably, pet care items. The company has made significant investments in the pet care industry, including the acquisition of Ralston Purina Company in 2001, which is a major player in pet food. In 2010, Nestlé further expanded its pet care portfolio by acquiring Waggin’ Train, a brand known for its pet treats. More recently, in 2018, Nestlé acquired a majority stake in Wamiz, a French digital media platform that caters to pet owners, showcasing its commitment to the pet community. Additionally, Nestlé has been involved in funding rounds for veterinary care providers like Independent Vetcare and IVC Evidensia, indicating a broader interest in the pet care ecosystem.


13. Portugal Ventures


Portugal Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Porto, Portugal, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in startups with global ambitions, primarily located in Portugal, and provides both capital and strategic support to help these startups grow and scale their operations. Portugal Ventures has a diverse investment portfolio, focusing on innovative projects across various sectors, including technology and health. Notably, the firm has made significant investments in the pet industry, including a seed round investment in Petable, which raised $765,039 in December 2015, and multiple investments in Barkyn, a pet care company that has raised substantial funding to enhance its services and expand its business. These transactions highlight Portugal Ventures' commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in the pet sector, making it a relevant player in the pet boarding and daycare investment landscape.



Pet Boarding and Daycare Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
CVS Group plcDiss, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000019991
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
August EquityLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020010
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
JamJar InvestmentsLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020136
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
SoftBank Investment AdvisersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500201714
HV CapitalFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50200028
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
Portugal VenturesPorto, Porto, Portugal11-5020126


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