SPOKE, the fast-growing direct to consumer menswear brand, has raised £8.5m of new equity capital. The Series B round was led by BGF and supported by existing shareholders Forward Partners, Oxford Capital, and 24 Haymarket.

The new funds will be used to accelerate growth in four core areas: technology, product innovation, brand building and international expansion.

Specialist eCommerce platform Online Poundshop Ltd has secured considerable investment from venture capital firm Midven, allowing the company to upgrade current warehouse systems, and create a range of new positions across the business – including marketing and distribution roles. The investment has come from the £35m West Midlands equity portion of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

Maven Capital Partners has led a £5.3 million funding round in E-Fundamentals, a leading eCommerce insights platform.

London and Edinburgh-based e.fundamentals is a market-leading ecommerce analytics platform that helps many of the world’s largest brand owners rigorously improve the sales and profit performance of their products on retailers’ and wholesalers’ websites. 

An international non-fiction book club aimed at open minded thinkers has not only reached, but exceeded its £100,000 crowdfunding target as they continue on their journey to grow the existing model and become the most exciting book club in the world. After successfully growing the club to 700 subscribing members across five European cities in their spare time, the founders are looking to take things to the next level.

BGF has successfully exited its investment in landscaping and grounds maintenance company, TCL Group. TCL has been acquired by idverde to create the UK’s largest provider of outdoor green services.

When George Jones' son developed terrible eczema as a child, she was unable to find any products that didn't aggravate his condition so she set out to create her own by launching Bathing Beauty from her kitchen table in 2010.  Now, thanks to a £45,000 loan from Development Bank of Wales, the ethical skincare company is expanding to meet the ever-increasing demand for its products.

Shoosmiths has advised NVM Private Equity on its recent investment of £2 million into Duke & Dexter (D&D), an award winning men’s footwear label.

Launched in 2014, D&D offers a range of high quality shoes, all manufactured by hand in the UK and has developed into a leading premium men’s shoe brand.  It has collaborated with brands and personalities such as Tyson Beckford, Rolls Royce and in June this year, launched a collaboration with American rapper Snoop Dogg to create an exclusive line of 12 initial styles.

BEAT81, one of the fastest growing fitness tech companies in Europe, has raised a €6.4m Series A funding round, led by EQT Ventures. The company will use the investment to continue to help people build physical and mental strength via BEAT81’s systematic approach of training smarter with technology and within a supportive team.

BEAT81 combines high-intensity group training, motivational coaching and heart rate technology to ensure people hit their fitness goals, fast. The heart rate sensor worn during each workout shows people exactly how their heart is responding to every squat, sit-up and sprint in real-time. This is where BEAT81’s name originates from. People’s optimal training zone is at least 81% of their maximum heart rate and when they BEAT81 they maximise the fitness benefits.

The Riverside Company has signed a definitive agreement to invest in German cycling e-commerce specialist Bike24. Bike24’s business focuses on bicycle parts, accessories and clothing, with a strong market position catering to ‘bicycle enthusiasts’ in Germany and across Europe. The acquisition from WiggleCRC is expected to close later this year. 

Bike24 has the largest product and brand assortment in the market paired with ample availability and fast delivery; its niche focus and level of expertise result in enhanced website content and customer service. This is Riverside’s second partnership with the company, having made its first investment in 2015.

A fast-growing clothing brand with a mission to become the ‘Levi’s of the women’s outdoorwear market’ has raised £350,000 in a funding round led by Dow Schofield Watts Angels (DSW Angels), the business angel network.

ACAI Activewear was started by husband and wife team Joe and Kasia Bromley with a sewing machine on their kitchen table. The funding will allow it to expand its product range and keep pace with rising demand.

ACAI’s skinny trousers have proved popular with audiences ranging from dog walkers, horse riders and outdoors enthusiasts to animal workers and other professionals. Kasia, who moved from Poland to study fashion at Edinburgh College of Art and worked at couture houses including Alexander McQueen, came up with the idea while designing for a cycling wear company.

Lookiero, the online personal shopping service for clothes and accessories, has closed a $19 million funding round led by venture capital fund MMC Ventures with support from existing investor All Iron Ventures, and new investors Bonsai Partners, 10x and Santander Smart. The funding will allow the company to continue its international expansion and strengthen its leadership position within its main markets: Spain, France and the UK.

Wagonex Limited, the car subscription marketplace platform is delighted to announce a significant equity funding round as it looks to bolster growth in the U.K. and beyond.

The investment round was led by the Development Bank of Wales technology ventures team co-investing with US investors and UK-based angels with a final close to complete after the summer.

Wagonex has been a leading name in vehicle subscriptions since its inception and now works closely with several global vehicle manufacturers.