Our Portfolio
Service companies based on intangible assets
We look for:
- information providers
- software developers that provide a unique solution
- trademark and branded services
- copyright owners
- embedded services.
since sold to Costa Coffee and rebranded as Costa Express
Vending Equipment Supplier
The business was a new concept in the UK to provide ground coffee from a stand alone machine.
However it had failed to sell any of its vending equipment in the four years since it had started up and while still seen as a great opportunity, was under severe creditor pressure.
K2's solution
We:
- arranged a standstill agreement with creditors to allow us to raise investment
- changed the business model to lend vending machines to retailers on a revenue sharing basis
- having proved the revenue model with a few test sites, raised significant funds to roll-out the concept across Europe
the outcome
The company achieved significant growth and expanded into Europe before being acquired by Costa Coffee and rebranded Costa Express
current status
K2 sold its shares.
new children’s media brand
The business needed a new strategic direction and the directors realised to fulfil its ambitions capital needed to be raised within a new corporate entity.
K2's solution
We:
- refined the strategic direction
- worked on the fundraising documents, included detailed financial modelling
- carried out the analysis of raising funds under SEIS
- helped choose the organisations to create the new brand – animation studio and licensing agent
- received SEIS status and submitted all relevant detailed documentation to HMRC
the outcome
The successful fund raise – the full amount under SEIS. Enabled the refinement and creation of the new brand, Mirakin World, www.mirakin.world and the new YouTube channel
current status
K2’s involvement has been rewarded by equity granted in the company from inception. Currently advising the directors on the next round of funding.
new university for performing arts
An excellent British management team in Spain with strong local knowledge and networks had identified a great opportunity to service a growing global market targeted with clear target customers and clear customer needs.
Product development had been completed, premises found, and a state of the art social media driven marketing strategy was under development.
However the team were unfamiliar with fundraising which would be required to launch the business.
K2's solution
We:
- developed a strategy that justified investment in IAB as a private university
- developed a business model and forecasts to support the investment
- supported the CEO in preparation of an investment case presentation
- wrote the Information Memorandum and developed the financial model, in conjunction with the local managers
- led the fund raising
the outcome
We raised the required seed investment of £1m to allow the initial intake of students that triggered local state funding.
current status
K2’s involvement terminated following payment of success fee on completion of the fundraising in 2014.
brand licensing
The business resurrected a legacy brand that had been formed in 1600 and closed down in 1873 by an act of parliament, and used it to run a flagship store in Mayfair.
since sold to Costa Coffee and rebranded as Costa ExpressThe brand was being licensed to third parties but lacked income and was loss making due to high overheads.
K2's solution
We:
- cut costs including staff, and terminated a lease
- transformed the business model by selling own brand fine food products
- introduced a brand licensing model for future income
the outcome
The business was stabilised and licensing the brand name although we didn’t have sufficient funds to develop the opportunity so we brought in new investors who wanted to pursue an own brand growth strategy.
current status
K2 eventually sold its shares to the new investors in 2008.
children's furniture and interiors
A family run business for 34 years with intellectual property largely based on creative artwork.
All the products were hand-painted in the UK in West Sussex and retailed through luxury showrooms in London and Moscow giving an elite client base.
However the traditional UK client base had been in decline since the credit crunch leaving the business with a high fixed cost base due to rent and staff.
K2's solution
We:
- introduced new backers who injected capital to unlock value of the prestigious brand, investing in new products, new artwork designs and licensing deals
- doubled-down on PR investment and increased the profile of the business by partnering with Grosvenor House Hotel
- introduced new accounting, CRM and order management systems that significantly improved customer service
the outcome
Investment in the growth strategy led to the introduction of an interior design service and the opening of showrooms internationally on a franchise basis.
current status
K2’s involvement terminated following payment of success fee on completion of its restructuring in 2008.
Introducer of investment opportunities to UHNW clients
Introduces business and property projects and investment opportunities, both private and off-market to its own long-established contacts.
K2's solution
We:
- assisted a wealthy and well-connected personality develop a service model to support their friends and contacts
- administered the company and engagements
- provided the marketing support
- assisted in identifying opportunities
the outcome
A stable and profitable business with prospects for huge growth.
current status
K2 remains an investor.
furniture retail and wholesale
The business was a loss making furniture importer and distributor with a warehouse and four shops of which only two made a profit.
HMRC Bailiffs had taken walking possession over stock in the warehouse. The bank was fully exposed to invoice discounting facility, held a debenture to cover loans, and a personal guarantee from the director.
K2's solution
We:
- agreed payment terms with HMRC for release of the stock to continue trading
- closed the two lossmaking shops
- arranged for a new investor to acquire the stock and take over the remaining premises and staff as a going concern
- used a CVA to repay creditors including the crystallised liabilities
the outcome
The bank’s invoice discounting line was repaid from recovery of the book debts while the sale of the stock paid the bank down sufficiently to cover most of the personal guarantee liabilities.
current status
K2’s involvement terminated following payment of success fee on completion of its restructuring in 2011.
branded hair care products
The business had come to a grinding halt due to the founder’s serious illness.
K2's solution
We acquired the business and assets and:
- retained the staff
- swiftly negotiated a deal with the key suppliers/creditors who were keen to maintain access to the UK market
the outcome
We then secured an exit by way of a sale of the business with its restructured balance sheet to an operator wishing to add the brand to their portfolio and invest in its ongoing marketing.
current status
K2’s involvement ended on sale of the business to new owners.