Melijoe.com raises EUR 9 million in a capital increase led by Gimv Melijoe.com raises EUR 9 million in a capital increase led by Gimv Melijoe.com raises EUR 9 million in a capital increase led by Gimv

Melijoe.com raises EUR 9 million in a capital increase led by Gimv

Portfolio

Children’s multi-brand fashion e-tailer Melijoe.com has completed a EUR 9 million capital increase led by Gimv, one of Europe’s largest investment companies. Melijoe.com’s historical shareholder CM-CIC Capital Privé is also participating.

This new capital round will enable Melijoe.com to expand its offer and boost its international growth. The company aims to become the world’s leading children’s fashion e-commerce site by 2017.

Launched in 2007 by mother-of-five Nathalie Christen-Genty, Melijoe.com has expanded rapidly. Based in Paris and available in six languages, the website hosts some of the industry’s best-known brands in children’s fashion. Thanks to efficient international delivery, already more than 50% of Melijoe.com’s annual turnover is realised outside France.

Nathalie Christen-Genty, President and Founder of Melijoe.com comments : ”Melijoe works like a magazine that delivers the best children’s brands anywhere in the world within 24 to 48 hours. We target a clientele of fashion-savvy mums who appreciate designer clothes for themselves and their children. We offer unique editorial content, and an outstanding service level. This capital increase marks a key opportunity for Melijoe to further enhance our offering and services, while boosting brand awareness and international growth.”

Gert Kerkstoel, Partner at Gimv, adds : “Melijoe is more than an e-commerce site. It is recognised by its suppliers – the mid and higher-end kidswear brands – as the multi-brand website that represents best their image, as well as it is the worldwide reference for the sector. In that role Melijoe is a strategic partner for brands that are in an ongoing process of reviewing their distribution strategy to reflect the global, multi-channel retail reality. The challenge of adapting distribution to new consumer purchasing habits is far from over and kidswear is a perfect example of this evolution. We want to support Melijoe in further building out a global leading position in the industry.”

Geoffory Dubus, Partner at Gimv, concludes :”This new investment fits perfectly within Gimv’s Consumer 2020 platform, which focuses on companies with a clear vision on what and how tomorrow’s consumer will buy. Melijoe’s rapid growth over the past few years vindicates its positioning and strategy. We intend to support the company in its international expansion, one of the growth relays in which Gimv has developed considerable expertise.” 

Thanks to this latest transaction, Gimv is continuing to strengthen its presence in France, particularly within the Consumer 2020 platform, following a recent investment in the Wolf Lingerie Group, online tailor-made travel agency Marco et Vasco, and also the acquisition of BrandAlley by Private Outlet, in a move to create one of Europe’s leading fashion e-commerce businesses.