The barber shops industry in Europe has evolved significantly, transitioning into a vibrant sector that blends traditional practices with modern trends. These barber shops offer a range of services, from classic haircuts and shaves to specialized grooming packages designed for diverse clientele. Additionally, many shops now integrate retail of hair and grooming products, enhancing customer experience. The industry is witnessing a surge in demand for premium services, with an emphasis on personalized care and stylized environments. Trends such as barbershop chains and the rise of mobile grooming services illustrate the sector's adaptability and future growth potential.

This list highlights a mix of corporate and venture capital investors, headquartered across major European cities including London, Stockholm, and Madrid. Ranging in size from small firms to multinational companies, each investor has proven interest in the barber shops industry throughout 2024, collectively executing numerous deals. The industry showcases various types of funding avenues, with some backers focusing heavily on early-stage startups while others invest in established brands. Founded between 1872 and 2021, these firms exemplify a blend of experience and youthful innovation.

Top 15 Barber Shops 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. 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 barbering industry, including Cutbox, which raised $613,893 in June 2023, and TrimCheck, which raised $212,284 in October 2020. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's engagement with businesses in the barber shops sector, showcasing its commitment to supporting a variety of industries, including beauty and grooming.

2. 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. It offers a diverse range of products, including food, beauty, personal care, and cleaning agents, with a strong commitment to sustainability. Unilever aims to make sustainable living commonplace through its extensive product offerings. In recent years, Unilever has made significant investments in the beauty and personal care sector, including the acquisition of Dollar Shave Club in 2016 for $1 billion, which focuses on shaving and grooming products. In 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. Other notable acquisitions include Living Proof and Dermalogica, both of which are well-regarded in the beauty and haircare markets. These transactions highlight Unilever's active role in the grooming and personal care industry, making it a relevant player for barber shops.

3. Treatwell

• Website: treatwell.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2008
• Headcount: 201-500
• LinkedIn:

Treatwell is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 2008. It operates as a digital platform in the beauty industry, allowing consumers to conveniently book various beauty services, including haircuts and grooming at barber shops. Treatwell has made several strategic acquisitions to expand its market presence, including the acquisition of Salonmeister for $26 million in 2014, which likely enhances their offerings in the barber shop segment. Additionally, they acquired Salonium in 2012 and ZenSoon in 2015, further solidifying their position in the beauty services market. These transactions demonstrate Treatwell's commitment to connecting customers with beauty service providers, including barber shops, making them a relevant player in this industry.

4. Development Bank of Wales

• Website: developmentbank.wales
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Wrexham, Wales, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 26
• LinkedIn: development-bank-of-wales

The Development Bank of Wales is a public entity established in 2001 that provides financial support to Welsh businesses through loans and equity investments. It aims to facilitate business growth and economic development in Wales by offering various financial products tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. Notably, the bank has been involved in transactions relevant to the barber shop industry, such as the investment in BUG for Men, which raised $70,677 in debt financing in May 2021, indicating a commitment to supporting grooming and personal care businesses. Additionally, their investment in Head Candy, which raised $38,896 in debt financing in October 2018, further demonstrates their engagement in sectors related to personal grooming and beauty. These transactions highlight the bank's role in fostering growth in industries that are pertinent to barber shops.

5. VNV Global AB

• Website: vnv.global
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded year: 1996
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: vostok-new-ventures-ltd

VNV Global AB is a Stockholm-based venture capital firm founded in 1996, focusing on providing capital and expertise to innovative companies across various sectors, including Mobility and Digital Health. They aim to support mission-driven entrepreneurs in developing scalable and sustainable business models, emphasizing long-term profitability and strong market positions. Notably, VNV Global has participated in significant transactions within the beauty services sector, such as a $70 million Series C funding round for Booksy, a US-based beauty services marketplace, and a venture round for Bokadirekt, which raised approximately $21.99 million. These investments highlight their engagement in the beauty industry, which encompasses barbering services, making them a relevant player in this space.

6. VentureFriends

• Website: venturefriends.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Netherlands
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 8
• LinkedIn: venturefriends

VentureFriends is a venture capital firm based in the Netherlands, founded in 2016. They specialize in early-stage investments in startups, providing both financial backing and strategic support to ambitious founders. The firm has a particular focus on sectors like FinTech and PropTech, but they have also invested in the beauty services sector, as evidenced by their investment in Funkmartini, a Greek startup that secured 510,000 euros in funding, with VentureFriends contributing 350,000 euros. This investment highlights their willingness to engage with businesses that operate in the personal grooming and beauty space, which is relevant to barber shops. Additionally, they have participated in various other transactions, indicating a diverse investment portfolio.

7. MCH Private Equity

• Website: mch.es
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Madrid, Madrid, Spain
• Founded year: 1998
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: mch-private-equity

MCH Private Equity is a private equity firm based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in investing in medium-sized companies to support their growth and transformation, providing investment management and advisory services. MCH focuses on sectors with high growth potential, which includes the beauty and personal care industry. Notably, they acquired Marco Aldany, a prominent hair salon chain, in September 2007, demonstrating their commitment to the hair services sector. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for Pacha Ibiza in 2017, showcasing their diverse investment portfolio. Their experience with Marco Aldany positions them as a relevant player in the barber shop investment landscape.

8. TA Ventures

• Website: taventures.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: ta-ventures

TA Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in early-stage technology startups across various sectors, including HealthTech and FinTech. They provide capital and strategic support to help startups grow in competitive markets. Notably, TA Ventures has invested in Dae Hair, which raised $2.6 million in a seed round in June 2021, indicating their engagement in the barber shops industry. Additionally, they have invested in other companies like Abiby and Caroobi, showcasing their diverse portfolio and ability to support various business models. With a global presence, TA Ventures actively builds networks for its portfolio companies, enhancing their growth potential.

9. Rocket Internet SE

• Website: rocket-internet.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2007
• Headcount: 201-500
• LinkedIn: rocket-internet-se

Rocket Internet SE is a venture builder based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally, providing operational support and capital to entrepreneurs. Their investment portfolio spans various sectors, including eCommerce, PropTech, and FinTech. Notably, Rocket Internet invested €15 million in Vaniday, a beauty and wellness startup that offers CRM, marketing, and online-booking tools for salons, which could encompass barber shops. This investment highlights their interest in the beauty sector, although their other investments, such as in GLOSSYBOX, focus more on beauty products rather than services directly related to barber shops. Overall, while Rocket Internet SE has some involvement in the beauty and wellness industry, their broader focus on technology and eCommerce may limit their relevance to barber shops specifically.

10. Vendis Capital

• Website: vendiscapital.com
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Machelen, Flanders, Belgium
• Founded year: 2009
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: vendis-capital

Vendis Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Machelen, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in consumer scale-ups, providing capital and strategic support to help businesses grow internationally and implement effective digitalization strategies. Vendis Capital emphasizes collaboration with entrepreneurs to enhance market presence and achieve sustainable growth. Recently, they have made significant investments in the beauty and personal care sector, acquiring the Dutch medispa chains SOAP and BM Clinics, as well as a majority stake in Skins Cosmetics, a luxury niche beauty retailer operating stores across the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa. These transactions highlight Vendis Capital's commitment to the consumer market, which may include opportunities within the barber shop industry.

11. blisce/

• Website: blisce.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2013
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 6
• LinkedIn: blisce

blisce/ is a venture capital investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in providing capital and strategic guidance to innovative technology startups. Their portfolio includes notable companies like Spotify and Pinterest, showcasing a strong presence in the tech sector. In the grooming space, blisce/ has invested in Harry's, a men's grooming brand, participating in significant funding rounds that aim to expand their product offerings beyond just shaving. Additionally, blisce/ has invested in Wecasa, a marketplace for home care and wellness, which, while not directly related to barber shops, indicates their interest in service-oriented businesses. Overall, blisce/ combines a focus on technology with some involvement in grooming and wellness sectors, making them a versatile investor.

12. Growth Engine

• Website: growthengine.it
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Milan, Lombardy, Italy
• Founded year: 2021
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: growth-engine1

Growth Engine S.r.l. is a venture capital firm based in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in online education, offering training programs that focus on business development, including traffic generation, sales improvement, and social media strategies. Their clientele includes both businesses and individuals looking to enhance their marketing skills through free online courses. Notably, Growth Engine has made investments in various sectors, including a significant seed round investment in Barberino's - Benessere Italiano, a venture that aligns with the barber shops industry. This investment reflects their willingness to engage with businesses in this sector, despite their broader focus on education and business development.

13. Alven

• Website: alven.co
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 12
• LinkedIn: alven-vc

Alven is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in early-stage investments in technology and digital startups. Founded in 2000, Alven manages over €2 billion in funds and has backed more than 160 startups over its 22-year history. Notably, Alven has invested in Planity, a French booking platform for the beauty industry, which has raised significant funding across multiple rounds, including a Series C round of $48 million in 2024 and earlier rounds totaling over $35 million. This involvement in Planity highlights Alven's interest in the beauty and grooming sectors, which includes barber shops, indicating their potential relevance to this industry.

14. Revaia

• Website: revaia.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2018
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: gaiacap

Revaia is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in sustainable investment management and partners with mission-driven entrepreneurs to support the growth of technology-focused businesses across Europe. Revaia provides capital and strategic guidance to help these companies scale sustainably and achieve their growth objectives. Notably, Revaia has participated in funding rounds for Planity, a French booking platform for the beauty industry, which raised $48 million in Series C funding in February 2024 and $35.4 million in Series B funding in July 2021. This involvement in the beauty sector highlights Revaia's interest in businesses that cater to grooming and personal care, which are relevant to the barber shop industry.

15. Inovo.vc

• Website: inovo.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: i18s

Inovo.vc is a venture capital firm based in Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland, founded in 2011. They specialize in seed-stage investments in startups across Central and Eastern Europe, providing funding, strategic support, and recruitment assistance to entrepreneurs. Notably, Inovo.vc has been involved in significant transactions within the beauty and wellness sector, including multiple seed rounds for Booksy, which raised $1,900,000 in January 2016 and $900,000 in August 2015. Booksy is a platform that facilitates bookings for beauty and wellness services, including barber shops, highlighting Inovo.vc's engagement in the grooming industry. This involvement demonstrates their commitment to supporting businesses that cater to the barber shop market and related services.

Barber Shops Insights: Key Investors in Europe

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