Newcastle upon Tyne-based NVM Private Equity has led a fundraising round for London based Channel Mum, an online multi-channel video blog community network for parents.
NVM has invested GBP2 million to support and work with Channel Mum to accelerate and grow the company over the next few years.
Building on Channel Mum’s skillset the growth strategy is focused on expanding the core product offering and growing the ‘Millennial’ audience.
Channel Mum was founded in 2015 by ‘mumpreneur’ Siobhan Freegard OBE who in 2000 also co-founded the UK’s biggest parenting website Netmums – aimed at millennial mums and parents-to-be.
Freegard recognised the growing trend of searching YouTube for information on parental guidance. Freegard approached ITV for seed-corn funding.
The platform brings together thousands of parenting videos in one site where vloggers and businesses are able to work with Channel Mum to get in front of their target audiences.
Freegard says: “Video is the future for modern parenting information – and we’re delighted NVM see the potential of both video and Channel Mum. The current market is developing fast and with our proven management team and existing client base, we are best placed to help mums and dads with the help and information they need. Through this new partnership – and the continued support of ITV – we are excited to be building the UK’s most trusted brand for modern parents.”
Tim Levett of NVM Private Equity says: “In Siobhan and her team we see a real passion and energy to succeed; they have a great track record and we have total confidence in them to be market leaders. Channel Mum’s unique business model and continued focus on parenting issues has seen Siobhan and her dedicated team create an extremely successful company and we are delighted to support the business during its next stage of growth and development.”
Paul Kanareck, ITV’s group director of online, says: “We invested in Channel Mum because we recognised its uniqueness and opportunity for growth through producing honest, informed and appealing content. This is an exciting next stage of the company’s development and I look forward to it continuing to prosper.”
NVM was advised by Shoosmiths on the investment.
