The fashion PR industry in Europe thrives as a dynamic ecosystem where creativity meets commerce. It hosts an array of companies including public relations firms, marketing agencies, and branding consultancies. These organizations help brands tell their stories, manage reputations, and engage consumers through innovative campaigns and strategic collaborations. Recently, there's a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices, inspiring brands to uphold social responsibility. The digital transformation is also shaping the industry, with more focus on online presence, influencer partnerships, and data analytics in shaping effective PR strategies for brands.


The investors listed include a mix of venture capital, private equity, and corporate entities, primarily located in London and Paris. Founded from as far back as 1969 to as recently as 2015, these firms vary in size from small teams to large organizations, with 2024 investments ranging from 2 to 198 deals. This diverse group is strategically positioned to significantly influence the fashion PR sector.


Top 16 Fashion PR Investors in Europe


1. Accenture

  • Website: accenture.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 51
  • LinkedIn: accenture

Accenture is a global consulting firm based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in information technology and management consulting services. Founded in 2001, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 professionals and operates across various industries, providing solutions that help businesses innovate and navigate digital transformation. In recent years, Accenture has made significant strides in the marketing and advertising sectors, acquiring creative agencies such as The Monkeys in 2017 and Rabbit's Tale in 2023. These acquisitions are part of Accenture's strategy to enhance its marketing and branding capabilities, which are crucial for effective public relations in the fashion industry. Additionally, Accenture's investment in SwayBrand, a company that likely operates within the branding space, further demonstrates its interest in enhancing its marketing services. While Accenture's core focus remains on technology and management consulting, its activities in the marketing domain position it as a potential player in the fashion PR landscape.


2. Wpp

  • Website: wpp.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: wpp

WPP plc is a prominent corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 1985. As a leading advertising and communications company, WPP offers a diverse range of services including advertising, public relations, media buying, and market research. The company has made significant investments in various creative agencies to enhance its service offerings. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Passport Brand Design, a branding agency that could cater to fashion brands, and Design Bridge, an international brand design agency that emphasizes collaboration within WPP's creative network. These acquisitions align with WPP's strategy to bolster its creative capabilities, making it a potential player in the fashion PR industry. WPP's extensive experience in enhancing brand visibility and connecting with consumers through innovative marketing strategies positions it well to support fashion brands in their public relations efforts.


3. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a public entity and financial institution based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. It supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through a variety 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 been involved in several key transactions in the fashion industry, including leading a $50 million funding round for Launchmetrics, a marketing and data analytics company that serves the fashion sector. Additionally, Bpifrance participated in multiple funding rounds for Vestiaire Collective, a global platform for pre-owned fashion, which raised significant amounts, including $208 million in a Series I round and $64 million in another round. These investments highlight Bpifrance's active role in supporting companies that are integral to fashion marketing and public relations.


4. Publicis Groupe

  • Website: publicisgroupe.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1926
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: publicis-groupe

Publicis Groupe, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Paris, Île-De-France, France, is a leading advertising agency and marketing consultancy. With over 10,000 employees, the company provides a wide range of services, including advertising, public relations, and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe has made strategic acquisitions to bolster its public relations capabilities, such as the acquisition of Taylor Herring in 2021, a London-based PR agency known for its creative work, which enhances their influence in the fashion sector. Additionally, their acquisition of The Herd Agency in Australia allows them to expand their PR services in a new market. These moves reflect their commitment to enhancing brand visibility and engagement, particularly in industries like fashion, where effective PR is crucial.


5. 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, England. The firm invests in innovative startups across various sectors, including technology and healthcare, but has also made notable investments in the fashion industry. Among their relevant transactions, they led a seed round for The Business of Fashion, a B2B blog focused on fashion analysis and news, which raised $2.1 million in 2013. They also invested in Grailed, a menswear marketplace, participating in both Series A and Series B funding rounds, which totaled $75 million. Additionally, Index Ventures was involved in Otrium, an online marketplace for end-of-season fashion, contributing to their Series B and Series C funding rounds, which raised significant capital to support U.S. expansion and platform development. These investments highlight Index Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative fashion-related businesses and their potential impact on the fashion PR landscape.


6. 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 Paris-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors. The firm is known for its rapid investment pace, backing two startups per week, providing not only financial support but also mentorship to help these companies navigate their initial challenges. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures participated in the seed funding of Futures Factory, a French marketplace for selling sneakers, which raised $2.5 million in 2021. This involvement highlights their interest in the fashion and retail space. Additionally, Kima Ventures was part of the funding round for Branded Group, an Amazon Marketplace consolidator, which indicates their engagement with retail-focused startups. These transactions suggest that while Kima Ventures invests across multiple sectors, they have a notable presence in the fashion and retail industries, making them relevant to fashion PR.


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 various sectors in the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market by making minority investments and offering extensive support services. Notably, BGF has been involved in several transactions relevant to the fashion industry, including a £8.5 million investment in ACS Clothing aimed at developing its e-commerce functions, and a previous funding round for ACS Clothing that raised over $13 million. These investments demonstrate BGF's commitment to supporting growth in the fashion sector, making them a relevant player in the fashion PR investment landscape.


8. 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, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Paris, is a leading luxury goods manufacturer and retailer. The company operates across various sectors, including fashion, leather goods, wines, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, and jewelry, catering to affluent consumers with exclusive brands that embody craftsmanship and heritage. LVMH has made significant investments in the fashion sector, including the acquisition of a minority stake in Stella McCartney, which emphasizes ethical luxury and sustainability. They also acquired a 60% stake in Off-White, a luxury streetwear label founded by Virgil Abloh, further solidifying their presence in contemporary fashion. Additionally, LVMH participated in a seed funding round for The Business of Fashion, a B2B platform that provides insights and analysis on the fashion industry, showcasing their commitment to fashion PR and media engagement.


9. Permira

  • Website: permira.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: permira

Permira is a London-based private equity investment firm founded in 1985, specializing in private equity and credit solutions. The firm partners with management teams and entrepreneurs to drive growth and create long-term value across various sectors, including technology, consumer, healthcare, and services. In the fashion sector, Permira has made notable investments, such as acquiring a majority stake in Gruppo Florence, which generated over €600 million in revenue in 2022. Additionally, Permira's acquisition of Schustermann & Borenstein GmbH, a prominent German omnichannel premium fashion retailer, highlights its strategic focus on the fashion industry. Furthermore, the firm's past investment in Hugo Boss underscores its long-standing interest in fashion brands. These transactions reflect Permira's commitment to transforming businesses into market leaders within the fashion space.


10. Enterprise Ireland


Enterprise Ireland is a public entity that serves as the Irish government's enterprise development agency, founded in 1998. It supports Irish businesses at all stages of their growth journey by providing funding, advisory services, and market access assistance. The agency focuses on helping companies scale and compete internationally across various industries, including technology and manufacturing. Notably, Enterprise Ireland has participated in funding rounds for companies like Tailr, which raised €700,000 in 2023 with the support of Enterprise Ireland, indicating their engagement in the fashion sector. Additionally, Tailr had earlier funding rounds where Enterprise Ireland was also involved, showcasing their ongoing interest in fashion-related ventures. This involvement highlights Enterprise Ireland's potential relevance to the fashion PR industry, as they support innovative solutions within the fashion space.


11. Next 15


Next 15 Group plc is a corporate consulting agency based in London, specializing in growth consultancy with a focus on marketing, data, and business transformation. Founded in 1981, the company operates through a decentralized network of specialized consultancies, driving innovative strategies for growth. Notably, Next 15 has made several key acquisitions that enhance its capabilities in consumer PR, which is crucial for the fashion industry. In 2009, they acquired M Booth & Associates for an initial price of $4 million, aimed at strengthening their consumer PR capabilities in the US. This was followed by the acquisition of Bite (now Archetype) in 2011, Connections Media (now part of OutCast) in 2013, and Text100 (now Archetype) in 2014, all of which contribute to their expertise in public relations. Their acquisition of OutCast Communications in 2005 further solidified their position in the PR sector, particularly in the San Francisco/Silicon Valley area. These transactions reflect Next 15's commitment to expanding their consumer PR services, making them a relevant player in the fashion PR landscape.


12. 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 while promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce. In the fashion sector, Crowdcube has been involved in several notable transactions, including The Fold, a luxury women's workwear brand that raised £1.7 million to expand its operations. Additionally, Crowdcube facilitated funding for Threads Styling, which raised $1,838,836, showcasing its engagement with fashion-related businesses. Other transactions include Digital Brands Group and Common Objective, indicating a broader interest in fashion and lifestyle brands. Crowdcube's platform is instrumental in supporting innovative fashion ventures, making it a significant player in the fashion PR investment landscape.


13. Apax

  • Website: apax.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: apax-partners

Apax Partners LLP is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1981. The firm specializes in managing investments across various sectors, including technology, internet/consumer, healthcare, and services. Apax collaborates with management teams of high-potential companies to drive growth and innovation. Notably, Apax has made significant investments in the fashion industry, including the acquisition of WGSN.com on October 30, 2023, which is a leading trend forecasting service for the fashion sector. Additionally, they provided substantial funding to Matches Fashion, raising over $74 million in January 2023 through both debt financing and private equity rounds. These transactions highlight Apax's strategic interest in enhancing its portfolio within the fashion industry, particularly in areas that influence fashion trends and retail.


14. 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 prominent 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. In recent years, Frasers Group has made strategic investments in the fashion industry, including acquiring a 4.54% stake in N Brown Group, an online fashion retailer, amid its financial struggles. They also announced the acquisition of Matches Fashion Limited for approximately £80 million, showcasing their commitment to expanding their presence in the fashion retail space. Furthermore, their involvement with Hugo Boss through post-IPO equity transactions highlights their active participation in the fashion sector, making them a notable investor in this industry.


15. Future Fifty

  • Website: futurefifty.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50

Future Fifty is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 2013. It operates as a startup accelerator under Tech Nation, supporting tech entrepreneurs and startups through various programs tailored to different stages of business development. The Future Fifty initiative specifically targets late-stage ventures, providing them with resources and support to foster growth and innovation. Notably, Future Fifty has been involved in several transactions within the fashion industry, including funding for Matches Fashion, Wolf & Badger, Farfetch, and Threads Styling, all of which are significant players in the fashion sector. These transactions, categorized as Non Equity Assistance, highlight Future Fifty's engagement with fashion-related businesses, despite its primary focus on technology.


16. 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. It specializes in providing growth capital and strategic support to mid-market businesses across various sectors. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, LDC focuses on helping management teams achieve their growth ambitions through investment and advisory services, fostering long-term partnerships to drive business success. Notably, LDC has made significant investments in companies relevant to the fashion PR industry, such as acquiring a majority stake in Instinctif Partners, a firm that specializes in communications and public relations, and taking a minority stake in Headland Consultancy, which focuses on corporate communications and public affairs. These transactions highlight LDC's commitment to supporting firms that can enhance brand visibility and reputation, key components in the fashion PR landscape.



Fashion PR Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AccentureDublin, Dublin, Ireland10001+200151
WppLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19852
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Publicis GroupeParis, Île-De-France, France10001+19267
Index VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200199667
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
LvmhParis, Île-De-France, France10001+198711
PermiraLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)501-100019858
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
Next 15London, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500019810
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
ApaxLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019818
Frasers GroupLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+198220
Future FiftyLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020130
LdcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200198115


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