The tanning salons industry in Europe boasts a vibrant array of businesses dedicated to providing bronzed beauty. Salons across the continent offer various services, from traditional UV tanning beds to spray tanning and high-tech bronzing solutions. As consumer preferences shift toward health-conscious alternatives, the industry is increasingly incorporating natural and organic products while specializing in personalized tanning experiences. Technological advancements, such as smart tanning devices and mobile app bookings, are elevating customer engagement. The salon business is expected to thrive further, driven by evolving beauty standards and a growing focus on wellness.

This roundup features a mix of corporate, private equity, and venture capital investors headquartered in the UK, Germany, France, and Belgium. They range from well-established firms like LDC, which specializes in growth capital, to newer entrants such as Vorwerk Ventures investing in innovative startups. The collective deal activity indicates a keen interest in enhancing the tanning sector, with 2024 seeing an impressive array of investments. Each of these 2024 transactions showcases their commitment to the beauty and wellness landscape, highlighting a comprehensive investment strategy.

Top 9 Tanning Salons 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, enabling startups and SMEs to raise capital through equity investments. The platform connects businesses with potential investors, promoting diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services. Notable transactions include My Beauty Squad, which raised $77,737 in 2020, and Cutbox, which raised $613,893 in 2023. These investments highlight Crowdcube's engagement in the beauty and wellness sector, suggesting a potential interest in related industries such as tanning salons. Their focus on equity crowdfunding allows them to support a variety of businesses, making them a versatile investor in the beauty space.

2. 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. LDC 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 acquired St Tropez, a leading brand in the tanning industry, in March 2006 for approximately $109.7 million. This acquisition highlights LDC's engagement in the beauty and personal care sector, particularly in tanning. Additionally, LDC has invested in other beauty-related businesses, such as Original Additions, a beauty accessories supplier, indicating a broader interest in the beauty market.

3. 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. With over €2.8 billion under management, HV Capital specializes in investing in digital companies and supporting entrepreneurs from seed stage to exit. The firm has been involved in various transactions, including a notable investment in Vaniday, a beauty and wellness startup that provides essential tools for salons, including those in the tanning industry. This investment reflects HV Capital's interest in the beauty sector, although their broader focus remains on digital innovation across Europe. Other transactions include investments in companies like GLOSSYBOX and Namshi, which, while not directly related to tanning salons, showcase their engagement in the beauty and e-commerce spaces.

4. PZ Cussons

• Website: pzcussons.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (UK)
• Founded year: 1879
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• LinkedIn: pz-cussons

PZ Cussons plc is a Manchester-based consumer goods manufacturer founded in 1879, specializing in personal healthcare products and consumer goods. The company offers a diverse range of trusted brands in hygiene, baby, and beauty categories, with a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Notably, PZ Cussons has made significant acquisitions in the beauty and personal care sectors, including the self-tanning brand St Tropez, which they acquired from private equity owner LDC for £62.5 million in 2010. This acquisition not only expanded their portfolio but also positioned them within the tanning industry. Additionally, they have acquired other beauty brands such as Childs Farm, Fudge Professional, and Charles Worthington Hair & Beauty, further solidifying their presence in the beauty market. These transactions highlight PZ Cussons' strategic focus on enhancing their product offerings and market reach, particularly in the beauty and self-tanning segments.

5. 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 operates in multiple countries and offers services to salons, including tanning salons. This investment highlights their engagement in the beauty and wellness industry, which is relevant to the tanning salon sector. Other investments, such as in GLOSSYBOX and Namshi, further demonstrate their focus on beauty and lifestyle brands, although these are not directly related to tanning salons.

6. 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 partners with entrepreneurs to enhance market presence and achieve sustainable growth. Recently, they have made significant investments in the beauty and wellness sector, including the acquisition of the Dutch medispa chains SOAP and BM Clinics, as well as a majority stake in Skins Cosmetics, a luxury niche beauty retailer. These transactions highlight their active involvement in the beauty industry, which is closely related to the tanning salon market.

7. Ekkio Capital

• Website: ekkio.fr
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 1-10
• LinkedIn: ekkio-capital

Ekkio Capital is a private equity firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in investment management for high-potential growth companies across Europe, particularly focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as Tourism & Leisure and Healthcare & Beauty. Ekkio Capital emphasizes long-term partnerships with management teams to create strategic value and facilitate transformation and growth. Notably, they acquired a majority stake in Calicéo, a company that operates wellness centers and generates approximately €17 million in annual revenue, which highlights their commitment to the wellness and beauty sectors. Additionally, their acquisition of CGH Residences & Spas further demonstrates their investment strategy in businesses that align with leisure and wellness, making them a relevant player in the tanning salon industry.

8. Vtc

• Website: vtc.de
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
• Founded year: 1992
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn: vtc-industriebeteiligungen-gmbh-%26-co.-kg

VTC GmbH & Co.KG is a private equity investment holding company based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 1992. The firm focuses on acquiring and developing industrial companies across diverse sectors, including wind energy and e-mobility. Notably, Vtc has made significant strides in the beauty and fitness markets through its acquisitions in the tanning industry. In 2017, Vtc acquired JK Products & Services GmbH, known as Ergoline, which is a prominent player in the tanning salon equipment market. Additionally, they acquired JK-Holding GmbH, a global leader in the sunbed industry, further solidifying their position in the tanning sector. Vtc emphasizes long-term partnerships and flexible deal structures to meet the needs of its business clients, making them a strategic investor for companies in the tanning salons industry.

9. Vorwerk Ventures

• Website: vorwerkventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
• Founded year: 2007
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 7
• LinkedIn: vorwerk-direct-selling-ventures-gmbh

Vorwerk Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital fund founded in 2007, specializing in early-stage investments across various sectors, including consumer products, food, health, and climate. The firm provides seed and Series A funding to innovative companies with strong business models and market potential. Notably, Vorwerk Ventures participated in the Series A funding round for Vaniday, a beauty and wellness startup that offers CRM and online-booking tools for salons, which could be relevant to the tanning salon industry. Additionally, they have invested in FORMEL Skin, a digital platform for remote skin care, indicating their interest in health and beauty-related startups. Their diverse investment portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting companies that aim to create a positive impact, although their direct involvement in the tanning salon sector remains limited.

Tanning Salons Insights: Key Investors in Europe

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