Adventure lifestyle brand Arksen closes £6m funding round

Arksen, an adventure lifestyle brand straddling the marine, automotive and apparel sectors, has raised £6 million Series A capital in its first public investment round.

Based out of Southampton Science Park, the company was founded in 2018 by Jasper Smith, an entrepreneur looking to build a global brand inspired by his life of travel both at sea and on land.

Jasper is hoping to replicate for the adventure world the model of United Artists – the American production and distribution company co-founded by Charlie Chaplin – by enabling members of the Arksen community to become fellow owners.

Initially focused on a core marine offering, the brand has since branched out into off-road vehicles and performance wear.

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Arksen brought in revenues of £18.5 million over the last 18 months and to date has sold 21 premium explorer boats.

The success has attracted both institutional and retail investors in the brand’s latest funding round – proceeds from which will be put towards marketing, geographic expansion, product development and increased stock.

It’s now targeting the US and Asia as key markets for development.

Jasper said: “The adventure industry, and more particularly the marine sector, is going through a profound change – driven by emerging technologies and the necessity to adopt a circular economy.

“We’re proud to be pioneering these positive changes, building a company united on a mission to create class leading products and enabling our community to help own part of that future.”

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