Equity investment in the bag for Millican
A HUSBAND and wife team who run Millican, a shoulder bag and rucksack firm, have secured a six-figure equity investment from The North West Fund and private investors.
The Keswick company, founded by Jorrit and Nicky Forbes-Jorritsma in 2009, creates premium bags and accessories and is known for its functional designs and sustainable materials. The brand is named after Millican Dalton, the self-styled ‘Professor of Adventure’ who lived in a Borrowdale cave near Keswick in the early 1900s.
In the past 12 months, the company has launched a number of collaborations with brands including menswear label Universal Works and Fujifilm’s X-Series premium cameras.
The North West Fund for Venture Capital, managed by Enterprise Ventures, is investing in the business alongside unnamed private investors.
Doug Stellman of Enterprise Ventures said: “Nicky and Jorrit have built a strong brand which appeals to adventurous, eco-friendly travellers worldwide. The company will use the funding to develop several new product ranges and continue its expansion into new markets.”
Mr Forbes-Jorritsma said: “The additional funding will allow us to expand beyond the foundations we’ve built in the first four years, launch an exciting new collection later this year and look for new wholesale partners in North America, Asia and Europe.”
