Pollen Street Capital

Pollen Street Capital is a private equity fund manager based in London, with an additional office in New York. Established in 2013, the firm specializes in investing in the financial and business services sectors, having deployed over £1.2 billion across various stages of business development. Pollen Street Capital focuses on high-quality enterprises operating in niche markets and collaborates with entrepreneurial management teams that align with its values and philosophy. The firm's objective is to foster the growth of businesses that deliver superior products and services, ultimately contributing to long-term sustainable success.

Julian Asquith

Head of Finance

Magnus Christensson

Partner and Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations

Julian Dale

Chief Financial Officer

Paul Dittmann

Partner

Matthew Ellengold

Investor Relations Associate

Michael England

Partner

Howard Garland

Partner

Ian Gascoigne

Partner

Lindsey McMurray

Managing Partner and Founder

Janine Phillips

Investor Relations Associate

Matthew Potter

Partner

James Scott

Partner

Paul Varty

Associate

Amy Ward

Partner and Pollen Street Capital Partner and Investor Relation - Head of Credit

45 past transactions

iwoca

Debt Financing in 2023
Iwoca provides small business credit finance services in the United Kingdom. It offers finance for businesses for various purposes ranging from bridging short-term cashflow gaps to investing in stock opportunities. It serves retailers, restaurants, hotels, service providers, and more. Christoph Rieche and James Dear founded iwoca on October 1, 2011. iwoca's headquarters is located in London in the United Kingdom.

Doorvest

Debt Financing in 2022
Doorvest Inc. operates an online platform designed for individuals seeking to invest in rental properties. Founded in 2019 and based in San Francisco, the company offers a comprehensive service that simplifies the process of identifying, purchasing, and managing income-generating rental homes. The platform caters primarily to busy professionals who aim to generate passive income and build equity through real estate investment. Doorvest provides transparency in the investment process, offering users detailed insights into cash flow, property activity, and legal documentation through an investor dashboard. This end-to-end solution is intended to make real estate investing accessible and straightforward, enabling users to achieve homeownership and financial growth.

Splend

Funding Round in 2022
Splend Pty Ltd is a car rental company based in Sydney, Australia, founded in 2015. It specializes in renting vehicles to drivers for on-demand rideshare and delivery services, such as Uber and UberEATS. Recognizing the challenges many potential drivers face in accessing suitable vehicles, Splend aims to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to become their own bosses. The company provides not only rental and rent-to-own options but also extensive support, training, and resources to enhance drivers' skills and profitability. Additionally, Splend offers data and analytics to help drivers improve their performance and safety on the road. By fostering a community among its members, Splend has successfully enabled students, retirees, former refugees, and single parents to find flexible employment opportunities that align with their lifestyles. Through its comprehensive services, Splend strives to facilitate access to vehicle ownership and create a sustainable income-generating pathway for its members.

365 Business Finance

Debt Financing in 2022
365 Business Finance is changing the way small and medium-sized business owners obtain funding, with fast and flexible merchant cash advance solutions. Time is important, and clients need quick answers. At 365 Business Finance, our advances can be approved in as little as 24 hours. Merchant Cash Advances, also known as Business Cash Advances, are a quick and easy way to convert future credit and debit card sales into immediate cash to utilize for any business purpose. They are specifically designed to help manage the cash flow of a business. We fund from £5, 000 - £200,000 to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies across the United Kingdom. Repayments mirror your card sales meaning that our clients only repay when they sell. There is no fixed-term or APR associated with the advance, just a simple fee agreed up-front which never changes. The 365 Business Finance, Broker and Introducer network is growing all the time and brokers benefit from High Conversions coupled with High Commissions. We also offer our brokers Commission on renewals where our merchant retention rate is exceptional.

Ding

Acquisition in 2021
Ding is the nº1 international top-up provider for mobile phone users. We deliver a top-up every second of every day, helping families and friends around the world stay connected. Top-ups can be sent with our app, online at Ding.com and in-store at over 600,000 retail outlets worldwide. We’ve been keeping people connected since 2006, when we launched the first-ever service of its kind to help people send top-ups to their loved ones back home. Today we connect over four billion phones through 400+ operators in more than 130 countries. Ding is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and has regional offices in Barcelona, Bucharest, Dhaka, Dubai, Paris and San Salvador. Our culturally diverse team of more than 200 people reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, potentially life-changing technology to developed and emerging markets alike.

Onto

Debt Financing in 2021
Your electric car, one month at a time, one monthly fee. On.to

bunq

Series A in 2021
bunq is the Bank of The Free. A totally independent bank that makes life easy. No branch visits, no queues, no paperwork, just immediate access from a mobile device. Users can share bank accounts with whomever they want and pay with worldwide Maestro and Mastercards wherever they go. bunq was founded in 2012 by Ali Niknam (1981), who managed to get the first European banking permit in over 35 years. He set out to radically change the traditional banking industry and, as its sole investor, invested €44.9m in bunq. bunq’s latest publicly available number of user deposits is €211,152,900, based on the deposits in December 2018. Over 2018 the total amount of user deposits doubled and is increasing every day. Over 2018 the total amount of user deposits doubled and is increasing every day.

Proactis

Acquisition in 2021
Proactis helps organisations around the world to operate faster, leaner, smarter by rethinking the way they do commerce to thrive in the digital economy. We enable both buyers and sellers to eliminate wasted time, money and talent by transforming the way they buy and sell goods and services, while eliminating risk. Proactis solutions are used daily by over 3 million people in 100+ countries, serving 1,000 enterprise clients. Our integrated spend management solutions streamline every aspect of buying and paying for all types of goods and services, while our integrated digital marketing, selling and invoicing solutions streamline B2B sales processes.

Markerstudy Group

Private Equity Round in 2021
Markerstudy Group is an energetic and highly innovative organisation, primarily known for our association with the insurance brands, Markerstudy Insurance, Zenith Insurance and Zenith Marque as well as direct brands Geoffrey Insurance Services, Supercover Insurance and The Insurance Factory. A rapidly expanding privately-owned business, our UK operation is headquartered in Bessels Green, Kent whilst our insurance companies Markerstudy Insurance Company Limited and Zenith Insurance Plc are based in Gibraltar.

Koalafi

Debt Financing in 2019
Koalafi, operating under West Creek Financial Holdings, Inc., specializes in point of sale financing solutions for retailers across the United States. Founded in 2016 and based in Glen Allen, Virginia, the company leverages big data to enhance approval rates for consumers seeking financing to purchase goods and services. Koalafi's technology simplifies the application process, making it easier for both consumers and merchants to engage in transactions. In an economic environment where traditional banks have tightened credit requirements, Koalafi aims to support credit-worthy consumers who may struggle to secure financing. With a team experienced in lending, the company is dedicated to enabling customers to access the merchandise they desire while simultaneously assisting merchants in boosting their sales through accessible financing options.

Infinity International

Acquisition in 2019
Infinity International Limited provides foreign exchange risk management solutions for corporate and institutional clients. Its solutions include spot contracts, forward contracts, flexible forward contracts, market orders, one-cancels-the-other order contracts, and structured products. The company offers foreign exchange management, hedging solutions, credit for hedging products, money transfers, and an online trading platform. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in London, United Kingdom with additional offices in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and France. As of May 14, 2019, Infinity International Limited operates as a subsidiary of Foreign Currency Direct Plc.

BidX1 Auction

Private Equity Round in 2018
BidX1 is a ground-breaking digital property company, whose focus is on using technology to enhance the experience of buying and selling property. Combining our extensive real estate experience with the best of cutting-edge technology, we have developed an innovative, transparent and trusted digital platform, allowing our users to buy or sell property online from anywhere in the world, on any device. The BidX1 team have sold over 8,000 assets, raising in excess of €1.4bn, and we are now the second largest auction house in Britain & Ireland. Our digital trading platform has transformed the property transaction process, providing a foundation of efficiency and security that benefits both buyer and seller, and has proven successful across the full range of asset types, from city centre apartments to commercial investment portfolios.

Jaja

Series A in 2018
Jaja is a fintech company that provides digital and physical credit cards and other financing services. It operates an online finance platform offering digitally-led products with a focus on simplicity, functionality, service, and security. Its offering includes a digital wallet and its accompanying card, foreign currency exchange services, as well as near-instant credit decisions leveraging AI. The company was founded in 2015 by three Norwegian entrepreneurs Per Elvebakk, Jostein Svendsen, and Kyrre Riksen with a mission to shake up the British credit card market.

Capital on Tap

Debt Financing in 2018
Capital on Tap is a lender that provides working capital such as loans and credit cards to small businesses.

Bik Brokers Sp. z o.o.

Acquisition in 2018
BIK Brokers, is a motor insurance broker in Poland servicing business customers. The Company holds a strong position in the expanding corporate fleet management and leasing segments, and is also rapidly growing sales to corporate clients.

Fluro

Funding Round in 2018
Lending Works Limited is a London-based company that specializes in peer-to-peer lending, offering a range of personal loan solutions including debt consolidation, home improvement, wedding, holiday, and car finance options. Founded in 2012, the company enables users to easily register online, transfer funds, select interest rates, and manage their monthly repayments. By facilitating direct lending between individuals, Lending Works provides a credible and secure alternative to traditional financial institutions, aiming to deliver substantial benefits to both lenders and borrowers. The company positions itself as a forward-thinking player in the evolving landscape of financial services.

iwoca

Debt Financing in 2018
Iwoca provides small business credit finance services in the United Kingdom. It offers finance for businesses for various purposes ranging from bridging short-term cashflow gaps to investing in stock opportunities. It serves retailers, restaurants, hotels, service providers, and more. Christoph Rieche and James Dear founded iwoca on October 1, 2011. iwoca's headquarters is located in London in the United Kingdom.

Miles Smith Insurance Group

Acquisition in 2017
Miles Smith is one of the UK’s schemes and affinities brokers and can trace its origins back to 1925. It is currently ranked in the country’s top 40 brokers and employs over 220 insurance, claims and risk management specialists, together with customer service and support staff. Its head office is situated in London and it also has offices in Suffolk and Bedfordshire. The Group writes in excess of £170 million GWP annually.

Vision Blue Solutions

Acquisition in 2017
Visionblue Solutions is a customer-focused provider of compliant and efficient software solutions for the Credit & Debt Recovery sectors. The team at Visionblue strive to provide functionality to help our clients work through their assignments in the most efficient manner possible. We ensure that our staff have an in-depth knowledge of the industry in each of the regions we supply into so that we can provide practical and efficient solutions to our clients.

MW EAGLEWOOD

Acquisition in 2017
MW Eaglewood is a financial services firm established in 2011, specializing in the online direct lending sector. The company is recognized for pioneering developments in this area, including the first securitization of peer-to-peer consumer loans. MW Eaglewood Americas LLC has received accolades such as the LendIt Innovator of the Year Award in 2014 for its contributions to the growth of this asset class. Its European counterpart, MW Eaglewood Europe LLP, originated from Liberum Capital and was acquired by Marshall Wace in 2013. This division serves as an advisor to a London Stock Exchange-listed investment trust focused on peer-to-peer loans, earning several awards for its innovation in Europe. Additionally, MW Eaglewood manages multiple buyout funds, including the Eaglewood Small Business Fund and the MW Eaglewood Private Equity Fund, both based in New York City.

Deko

Venture Round in 2016
Deko creates innovative technology that connects lenders and merchants to help consumers finance the important things in life. All of us want more financial flexibility from time to time. Their smart technology gives people access to the right finance at the right time in an ethical and responsible way. Simple for the customer, smart behind the scenes. Their technology is the best there is and has a huge impact on our merchants too - more sales, a great customer experience across any sales channel and it's really easy to do. They're trusted by a host of leading retailers and lenders and have a proven and profitable business.

1st Stop Group

Private Equity Round in 2016
1st Stop Group Limited is a financial services provider based in Blackpool, United Kingdom. Established in 2004, the company offers a diverse array of financial products aimed at the retail marketplace. Its offerings include unsecured personal loans, secured loans for homeowners, car finance, and hire purchase services available for both homeowners and tenants. Through its various subsidiary companies, 1st Stop Group caters to the financial needs of consumers, facilitating access to credit and financing options.

Capitalflow

Acquisition in 2016
Capitalflow Commercial Finance provides finance solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises in Ireland. The company provides asset finance solutions to purchase or re-finance existing assets, including commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, construction/yellow plants, material handling equipment, industrial and other equipment, and business assets and capital equipment. It also offers invoice finance solutions to raise working capital by converting trade debts into cash; and asset based lending solutions against a range of business assets, including invoices, plant and machinery, property, and stock. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland.

Validis

Funding Round in 2015
Validis Holdings Ltd. develops Validis, a financial data transmission software solution for global accountancy firms, financial institutions, and commercial businesses. Its software connects directly to mid-tier accounting packages and transmits data direct from its source; generates reports ready for review; provides access to client’s validated data set; provides data analysis and validation; and interrogates down to double entry for absolute accuracy. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in London, United Kingdom with an additional office in Austin, Texas.

Banca Sistema

Private Equity Round in 2015
Banca Sistema is a fast growing specialist bank with offices in Milan, London and Rome providing funding for Italian and multinational corporates through the financing and collection of Italian public administration receivables. The bank has a leading position in its asset market and has strong relationships with a large base of blue chip corporates and SMEs looking to improve their working capital cycle. This, combined with a well-diversified funding base of retail deposits and wholesale finance, means it is able to sustainably generate attractive ROEs.

Target Group

Acquisition in 2012
Target Group is a leading provider of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and software solutions for over 50 major financial institutions across the globe, including clients such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Barclays and Shawbrook Bank. Our leading fintech platform manages assets in excess of £24 billion, enabling our clients to automate complex critical processing, servicing and administration of loans, as well as investments and insurance. We deliver competitive advantage and enable scalable growth. Alongside BPO and software solutions, Target leverages deep domain expertise to advise on process improvement, due diligence, and regulatory compliance. Target systems currently process over 18 million accounts and collect £3billion of direct debit payments each year on behalf of both private and public sector clients.

ERNO LASZLO

Acquisition in 2011
Erno Laszlo, Inc. is a luxury skincare brand based in New York, founded in 1927. The company specializes in a diverse range of skincare products designed to address various skin conditions, including exfoliation, hydration, and rejuvenation. Its product lineup features cleansers, serums, moisturizers, eye care items, masks, and toners, all aimed at improving skin health and appearance. Erno Laszlo has a rich heritage, having been a pioneer in the skincare industry for over 85 years, with a clientele that includes iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy. The brand is committed to expanding its presence in international markets, particularly in the Far East, while maintaining strong customer loyalty. Its products are available for purchase online and through retail locations in several countries, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.

CashFlows

Acquisition in 2011
CashFlows is the fast-growing and innovative provider of merchant payment solutions.CashFlows provides small businesses and large corporations from a range of industry sectors with merchant services tailored to their needs and budget.

Shawbrook Bank

Private Equity Round in 2011
Shawbrook Bank Limited, incorporated in 2010 and headquartered in Brentwood, United Kingdom, operates as a specialist bank offering a variety of lending and savings products tailored for underserved markets. The bank's services are organized into four primary segments: Property Finance, Business Finance, Consumer Lending, and Central. It provides savings accounts, including fixed term and cash ISAs, alongside commercial and residential mortgages, such as term and bridging finance aimed at professional landlords and property investors. Additionally, Shawbrook Bank offers a range of consumer loans for purposes like car purchases, home improvements, and debt consolidation. The bank focuses on developing strong relationships with its customers to understand their specific needs, allowing it to create targeted financial solutions. By leveraging its expertise and deep understanding of the markets it serves, Shawbrook Bank aims to deliver agile and straightforward banking services to individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises.

Link Loans

Private Equity Round in 2010
Link Loans is a secured lender offering secured loans to home owners in the UK. The company was founded by industry veterans David Johnson and Phillip George in 2010. With a clear and distinctive proposition, Link Loans became the market leader within 18 months. The business was combined with Shawbrook Bank in July 2012, enhancing its ability to grow rapidly.

Arrow Global

Private Equity Round in 2009
Arrow Global is one of the UK's largest and fastest growing providers of debt purchase and receivables management solutions. Debt is a more prominent and open concern in both society and the wider economy than in previous times. Customers and clients are now more empowered and expect a personalised and bespoke debt management service. Companies operating in the sector must be more customer focused by being more transparent, and delivering increasingly innovative solutions using technology and data. They are committed to making their service more individualised and customer focused. They are a data driven business and we use our insight from over 35 million customer records across six countries to offer affordable and manageable solutions for consumers to reduce their debt in a fair, transparent and structured way. They also play an active role in helping financial institutions deleverage and recapitalise in order to increase mainstream lending. By purchasing and managing non-performing loans and other core assets, they provide valuable capital and expertise to a growing European market.

Priory Group

Private Equity Round in 2009
Established in 1980, Priory Group is a prominent independent provider of mental health and addiction treatment services in Europe. Based in London, the organization operates a network of hospitals and rehabilitation centers, offering a wide range of services that include acute mental health care, addiction treatments, and neuro-rehabilitation. Priory Group tailors its programs to meet the specific needs of individuals facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Additionally, the organization provides specialist education, complex care, and support through fostering and care homes, ensuring comprehensive care for those with varying levels of need, from mild conditions to severe disabilities.

Catalina Holdings

Private Equity Round in 2008
Catalina has made eighteen acquisitions to date with average consideration in excess of $100 million. We acquire companies and portfolios in well-regulated jurisdictions. Given the concentration of the insurance and reinsurance industry in certain countries, our geographical focus is in Bermuda, the US and UK, and mainland Europe. We offer owners of insurance and reinsurance companies and portfolios in run-off finality through outright acquisition. Alternatively, we consider co-venturing, profit sharing or partnership structures. In acquiring a company or portfolio in run-off and we provide a clean exit for owners from existing and future liabilities and the release and redeployment of substantial and unproductive capital. We are sensitive to the concerns of businesses selling insurance and reinsurance policies to a new owner. Catalina is committed to maintaining the good reputation of acquired entities.

Pegasus Retirement Homes

Acquisition in 2007
Pegasus Retirement Homes develops purpose built retirement properties in the United Kingdom. Pegasus Retirement Homes provides apartments for the active retired. Pegasus Retirement Homes was established in 1984 and is located in Cheltenham, United Kingdom.

Premium Aircraft Interiors Group

Acquisition in 2007
Premium Aircraft Interiors Group is a supplier of interior components for passenger aircraft. The Premium group of companies comprising Sell, Heath Tecna, and Contour was a leading supplier of interior components for passenger aircraft, supplying a mixture of OE and aftermarket product to Boeing, Airbus, and airline customers, with a specialism in widebody platforms. The group’s companies are known for high-quality design and engineering and enjoy strong market shares in each of its segments as a result of industry-leading capabilities and high levels of customer satisfaction. The individual engineering businesses comprising the Premium group were divested via a series of transactions between 2010 and 2012.

Center Parcs

Private Equity Round in 2006
Center Parcs revolutionized the holiday market in Holland over 40 years ago and did the same in the UK when it opened its first Village at Sherwood Forest in July 1987, providing short break holidays in the forest on a year-round basis. Now Center Parcs has five Villages across the UK: Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire; Elveden Forest in Suffolk; Longleat Forest in Wiltshire; Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire. As a leader in the UK short break holiday market, Center Parcs occupies a unique position enjoying annual occupancy rate in excess of 97%.

Moneycorp

Acquisition in 2006
Moneycorp is a leading foreign exchange broker based in the UK, serving approximately 2.4 million customers and trading over £11 billion in currencies annually. Established in 1962, the company began foreign exchange operations in 1979 and is organized into three main divisions: Bureau de Change, Commercial Foreign Exchange (CFX), and Wholesale Banknotes. With a workforce of around 600 employees, Moneycorp provides a range of international money transfer services that facilitate easy currency exchange. The company offers fully integrated online payment solutions and telephone assistance, catering to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate clients, and private customers. Its headquarters is located in Knightsbridge, London.

Four Seasons Health Care

Debt Financing in 2006
Four Seasons Health Care Limited operates care homes in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of different types of care, such as nursing, residential, intermediate, specialist dementia care, and more.

Allied London

Private Equity Round in 2006
Allied London specializes in property development, focusing on mixed-use real estate projects in major cities such as London, Manchester, and Leeds. The company is dedicated to devising, designing, and delivering innovative developments and building concepts that often become landmarks in their respective areas. With a commitment to enhancing urban environments, Allied London aims to create spaces that blend residential, commercial, and cultural elements, contributing to the vitality of the communities they serve.

Malmaison and Hotel du Vin

Private Equity Round in 2005
Malmaison is a pioneer of the modern metropolitan boutique hotel, with an emphasis on chic. Food and drinks are central to the character of each Malmaison hotel; our bars and brasseries are popular destinations within their local areas. Malmaison is flirty, sexy, and sophisticated. Inviting and seductive. Our customers feel special. They’re all celebrities in our eyes and deserve VIP treatment. Our locations also make us very different from other UK hotels. Guests might find themselves checking into a converted church, a former prison, a hospital, or even a Royal Mail sorting office.

Barchester Healthcare

Debt Financing in 2004
Barchester Healthcare is one of the biggest independent care providers in the United Kingdom. Barchester Healthcare was founded in 1993 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grove Ltd, a Jersey company. Management and staff own about 10% of the business. Barchester will have sales of Pounds Sterling 100 million in 2004 and EBITDA in excess of Pounds Sterling 20 million. The company has more than 4,000 staff. Laing & Buisson, the leading provider of data and analysis on the healthcare sector in the UK, has identified Barchester as the biggest developer in the sector with 15 new-build projects currently in hand.

Towergate

Private Equity Round in 2004
Towergate is a leading independent insurance intermediary in Europe, established in 1997, and has grown to generate over £2 billion in gross written premiums. Employing more than 5,000 staff across over 120 offices in the UK, Towergate offers a wide array of over 200 general and specialist insurance products tailored for niche markets, including personal insurance for boats, caravans, holiday homes, and motor vehicles. The company is recognized as a significant provider for the UK SME market and emphasizes a customer-centric approach, fostering trusted relationships with leading insurers. Towergate's business model focuses on innovation in product offerings and exceptional customer service, creating a collaborative environment among customers, insurers, and the company itself. Additionally, Towergate operates across the UK, including Jersey, Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, providing comprehensive insurance brokerage services and solutions for various sectors.

Morris Homes

Debt Financing in 2004
Morris is one of the country’s largest and most respected independently owned house builders. Based in Cheshire, we’ve been helping people to buy new homes across the North West, Midlands and South of England for over 60 years. Decades of experience have earned us a reputation as a responsible and professional development partner in the regeneration of local areas, providing energy-efficient, sustainable communities which our customers are proud to call home.

Southern Water

Acquisition in 2003
Southern Water Services Limited is a private utility company that provides water supply and wastewater services in the southeast of England. It supplies drinking water to approximately 2.5 million people through a network of 13,870 kilometers of mains and 91 water treatment works. The company also serves around 4.6 million people with its wastewater services, treating and recycling 717 million liters of wastewater daily at 365 treatment facilities. Southern Water sources nearly 70 percent of its water from underground aquifers, 23 percent from rivers, and 7 percent from storage reservoirs. Additionally, the company offers property search information services and primarily serves business customers and property developers. Incorporated in 1989 and based in Worthing, Southern Water is a subsidiary of SWS Holdings Limited, which is owned by Greensands Investments Limited, a consortium of pension and infrastructure funds.
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