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The outdoor footwear industry in Benelux is vibrant, marked by brands that cater to adventurers and leisure enthusiasts alike. Companies in this sector range from established footwear giants to innovative startups, each focusing on performance and sustainability. With a rise in eco-conscious consumerism, many producers are adopting environmentally-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices. As outdoor activities gain popularity, especially among younger generations, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ industry is likely to expand furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r. Expect to see technological advancements like improved grip soles and breathable materials, aligning newly-developed products with consumer demands for both style and functionality.

The investment scene surrounding outdoor footwear in Benelux features corporate giants like Samsonite, alongside agile venture capital firms such as Verlinvest and Convent Capital. These investors collectively offer various funding strategies, from corporate equity to seed rounds that help emerging brands flourish. Spread across notable cities like Amsterdam and Brussels, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir diverse portfolios reflect Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ dynamic nature of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨industry. In 2024, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se investors completed a total of 38 deals, showcasing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir commitment to growth within this niche market as Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y actively support different stages of company development.

Top 8 Outdoor Footwear Investors in Benelux

1. Samsonite

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Oudenaarde, Flanders, Belgium
• Founded year: 1910
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• LinkedIn:

Samsonite International S.A. is a luggage manufacturer and retailer based in Oudenaarde, Flanders, Belgium, specializing in high-quality travel bags and accessories. Founded in 1910, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ company has a diverse product range designed for both leisure and business travelers. In recent years, Samsonite has strategically expanded its brand portfolio to include outdoor-related products through significant acquisitions. Notably, in 2014, Samsonite acquired Gregory Mountain Products for $85 million, enhancing its presence in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor market. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ acquisition of High Sierra Sport Company for $110 million in 2012 marked a significant step in strengÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ning its foothold in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ casual bag market, which often intersects with outdoor activities. These transactions reflect Samsonite's commitment to diversifying its offerings beyond traditional luggage, positioning itself within Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor gear sector.

2. Exor N.V.

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands
• Founded year: 2009
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 26
• LinkedIn:

Exor N.V. is a holding company based in Amsterdam, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands, founded in 2009. It operates across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, and media, and manages a diverse portfolio of companies such as Ferrari, Stellantis, and Philips. Exor focuses on enhancing value through strategic investments and operational support. Notably, Exor has invested in CARIUMA, a brand that emphasizes sustainable footwear, which aligns with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor footwear market. Additionally, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have participated in seed funding rounds for oÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r fashion-related companies like Apparis and have shown interest in luxury brands such as Christian Louboutin. These transactions suggest that while Exor is not exclusively focused on outdoor footwear, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y do engage in investments that touch upon Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear industry, particularly in sustainable and fashion-forward segments.

3. Verlinvest

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
• Founded year: 1995
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn:

Verlinvest is a Brussels-based venture capital firm founded in 1995, specializing in high-growth consumer brands across various sectors such as food, beverage, health, and technology. The firm provides long-term capital and strategic advisory services to help brands scale and innovate. Notably, Verlinvest has made significant investments in companies like The Climbing Hangar, a leading UK bouldering gym operator, which highlights Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir interest in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor and active lifestyle market. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to consumer needs and sustainable practices, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m a potential investor in outdoor footwear brands that align with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se values.

4. Sofina

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
• Founded year: 1898
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 4
• LinkedIn:

Sofina is a venture capital investment company based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1898. The firm specializes in providing patient capital to growing businesses across various sectors, including telecommunications, consumer goods, and energy. Sofina partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, offering strategic advice and long-term investment solutions to foster sustainable growth. Notably, Sofina led a â‚�25 million Series C funding round for Spartoo, a European online footwear and bag retailer, which highlights Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir engagement in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear industry. This investment supports Spartoo's aggressive expansion across Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ European market, indicating Sofina's interest in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear sector. OÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r transactions include investments in companies like Lyskraft and Privalia, but Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se are not directly related to outdoor footwear.

5. NPM Capital

• Website:
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands
• Founded year: 1948
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

NPM Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands, founded in 1948. The firm focuses on supporting medium-sized and large companies, particularly family-owned enterprises in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Benelux region. NPM Capital provides capital and strategic advisory services to help Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨se businesses achieve growth and sustainability. The firm operates across various sectors, including technology and education, but has also made significant investments in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor industry. Notably, NPM Capital acquired Outdoor Life Group on January 1, 2006, which is involved in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor sector, indicating Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir interest in outdoor footwear and related products. This acquisition highlights NPM Capital's commitment to long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies, including those in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor footwear space.

6. Karmijn Kapitaal

• Website:
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands
• Founded year: 2010
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

Karmijn Kapitaal is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, specializing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands. Founded in 2010, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ firm focuses on providing growth capital, acquisition financing, and management buy-out support, with a strong emphasis on diversity in management teams. Karmijn Kapitaal actively collaborates with its portfolio companies to enhance operations and drive sustainable growth. Notably, Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have acquired Fred de la Bretonière, a prominent shoe and bag brand, and King Louie, furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r establishing Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir footprint in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear industry. These transactions highlight Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir commitment to investing in brands that contribute to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear market, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m a relevant player in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor footwear sector.

7. Parcom Capital

• Website:
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Schiphol, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands
• Founded year: 1982
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn:

Parcom Capital is a corporate investment firm based in Schiphol, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands, founded in 1982. Specializing in private equity, Parcom focuses on unlocking Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ potential of businesses by providing investment management and strategic support to entrepreneurs and management teams. They partner with various companies across multiple sectors to facilitate sustainable growth and transformation. Recently, Parcom Capital made headlines with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir acquisition of Just Brands on April 18, 2024, which is relevant in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ context of outdoor footwear as it suggests Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir engagement in this market. This transaction highlights Parcom's strategy of investing in companies that can benefit from Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir expertise and support, potentially including those in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor footwear space.

8. Convent Capital

• Website:
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn:

Convent Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in sustainable investments and growth capital provision, primarily targeting small to medium-sized enterprises in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ Benelux region. Convent Capital has a notable focus on innovative companies, particularly in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ AgriFood sector, but Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨y have also made significant investments in Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear industry. One of Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ir key transactions includes participation in a Series B funding round for SafeSize, a Greek startup that offers a 3D foot analysis and shoe recommendation solution. This investment, which was part of a â‚�14 million funding round announced in March 2023, highlights Convent Capital's interest in companies that enhance Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ footwear shopping experience, making Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨m relevant to Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ outdoor footwear market. Their commitment to supporting businesses in achieving sustainability furÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨r aligns with Å·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨ values of many outdoor footwear brands.

Outdoor Footwear Insights: Key Investors in Benelux

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
	Oudenaarde, Flanders, Belgium	1001-5000	1910	0
	Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands	11-50	2009	26
	Brussels, Brussels, Belgium	11-50	1995	5
	Brussels, Brussels, Belgium	51-200	1898	4
	Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands	11-50	1948	1
	Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands	11-50	2010	1
	Schiphol, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands	11-50	1982	1
	Amsterdam, North Holland, NeÅ·²©ÌåÓýƽ̨rlands	1-10	2011	2

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