GCP, a provider of blended equity and debt to the UK’s small to medium sized businesses, has invested in Iglu.com, an online ski and cruise agent, in a deal valued at GBP19 million, to help the business expand into Europe.
GCP is taking a significant minority stake in the business and will join the existing board. GCP underwrote the entire transaction, providing the debt and equity on the deal that was a buyout from Matrix Private Equity Partners.
Simon Jobson, partner at GCP, says: “Iglu has capitalised brilliantly on the huge increase in the popularity of online travel, especially in the ski and cruise sectors.
“Our flexible funding will give Iglu the support it needs to become a leader in the European travel market including the relatively underdeveloped online market in Germany. There is also potential for some of our capital to fund future acquisitions.”
Iglu’s founder and chief executive, Richard Downs, says: “It has long been my ambition to take the Iglu brand into Europe and the partnership with GCP will help make this a reality.
“GCP was an attractive choice for us when looking for a supportive partner with the capacity to fund future growth. They provided all the funding on the deal, saving a huge amount of time and enabling us to come to an agreement quickly and efficiently.”
Founded in 1998 by Richard Downs, Wimbledon based Iglu now employs 130 people and achieved sales of GBP90 million in the year to May 2012, an increase of 130 per cent over the past three years.