Renais, the UK gin business, has secured another tranche of investment to support its overseas plans.
The company, set up by actor Emma Watson and her brother Alex in 2023, has raised just shy of £5m ($6.3m) in its latest round of funding.
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US private-equity firm InvestBev and Jean-Sebastien Robicquet, the founder and CEO of France’s Maison Villevert, took part in the round.
In a statement, Alex Watson described the investment as “a key milestone in the brand’s growth”.
He added: “The raise will support expansion in the US off the back of our successful California and New York launch, as well as our continued focus on content and community engagement.”
Renais entered the US last year. Speaking to Just Drinks in July, Watson said the brand was available in 40 states via direct-to-consumer sales, as well as in retailers in California.
The business is present in 11 countries. It is looking to launch its gin in Canada, Spain, France and Dubai this year.
The company has lined up spirits group Maison Villevert as its distributor in France.
InvestBev general partner Brian Rosen said: “The premium gin category continues to demonstrate remarkable potential and Renais gin’s quality and sustainability credentials align perfectly with our strategic investment focus.”
Part of Growth Beverage, a US holding company that invests in and supports small- and medium-sized beverage-alcohol firms, InvestBev has backed businesses including rum brand Ten to One and RTD supplier Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits.
Just Drinks has approached Renais to ask how much investment the company has raised to date and for details on its financial performance in 2024.
Renais gin is made from leftover pressed grapes at the family’s winery in northern France. It is initially distilled twice in France, before being shipped to the UK for a final distillation.
