Db Bags investment from LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund

December 11, 2024

Backed by the minority investment made by LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund, Db aims to redefine premium travel gear for creatives around the globe.

OSLO, 11 DECEMBER 2024 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – In order to boost its growth and its global expansion plans, the premium Scandinavian luggage and backpack brand Db has announced a minority investment from LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I (“LLV”) – its first investment in Norway, and second in the Scandinavian region, after Our Legacy. This transaction marks a significant milestone for Db, infusing the brand with unparalleled expertise from the luxury industry.

This is the first-ever major funding round for Db, a company that has grown steadily since its founding in 2012 by entrepreneur Truls Brataas and free-skier Jon Olsson. The funding will enable Db to accelerate its global development even further, with plans to increase brand awareness through strategic partnerships, double down on its core North European markets, as well as accelerate growth in the US and Asia.

Known for its sleek and minimalist aesthetic, Db has quietly become a name to watch in premium travel gear, offering urban and outdoor adventurers alike, a distinctive take on Scandinavian design – rugged enough to withstand the outdoors, yet stylish enough to fit seamlessly into an urban setting.

“Receiving backing from LLV is a huge milestone for us” says CEO Richard Collier. “While Db will stay authentic to its core communities in snow, surf and skate, LLV’s global perspective, credibility and strategic knowledge makes this a perfect fit for our vision of what the brand can become”.

“Today’s premium traveler isn’t looking for the same old black suitcase – they want travel gear that reflects their lifestyle” founder Brataas notes. “They want to travel with a premium brand that shares their values”.

The company’s expansion is well-timed as the premium travel market surges, with younger, design-conscious, creative consumers driving demand for distinctive, durable and sustainable products. The funding will also fuel design innovations, with plans for an aluminum luggage line in 2026 to go alongside its award winning Ramverk pro series, and a much-anticipated range of golf travel gear.

“Db is a reference in the bags and luggage sector, combining truly distinctive designs, high-quality and functionality, and geared towards a close community of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, creative people and passionate travelers, with whom the brand entertains deep ties. Db has a strong position in Scandinavia with an untapped growth potential in the rest of the world. We are confident that it will also become a global brand thanks to the expertise and full-hearted dedication of Truls, Richard and their team” says Julie Bercovy, CEO, LVMH Luxury Ventures Advisors.

With the support from LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund, Db is set to make its mark as a disruptor in the travel and luggage space, blending Scandinavian elegance with an adventurous edge, to appeal to the design-savvy traveler. “This investment from LLV is transformational, and some renowned additional investors might also join the table at a later stage” Brataas says. “All together, we’re ready to redefine the travel gear market”.

About Db

Db offers a full range of differentiated and well-thought-out bags, backpacks, luggage, duffels, totes, and accessories. Db gathers a community of young and nomad consumers, passionate about adventures and sports, living travel as a creative lifestyle. The Company has consistently pushed boundaries in both design and innovation (main innovations notably include the Hook-Up System™, making it easier to carry multiple bags, and the Rib Cage Technology™, to protect your gear). This journey has led Db to win 4 red dots, 6 gazelles and multiple ISPO awards whilst Truls was the recipient of the International Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year award. While sustainability remains central to Db’s mission, all products are crafted from recycled fabrics, its industry- leading luggage made from 70% recycled PET and the company’s B-Corp certification reflects its ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

Db products are available in prominent retailers including Selfridges, Harrods, GOODHOOD, End Clothing, Baskets, Asphalt Gold, Anton Sport, Gorsuch, Portmantos and others, showcasing the brand’s strong appeal across markets.

The company also proudly supports ambassadors that are top of their class in these cultures, notably Olympic snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg, accomplished explorer and creative director Chris Burkard, pro skateboarder Beatrice Domond, heralded photographer Olav Stubberud and Champions League winner Marcelo. Db has also recently secured a number of other collaborations, including exclusive partnerships with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), providing luggage and bags for their Skyteam rebrand and Alpine F1’s 2025 & 2026 seasons, and will soon unveil a new range developed with Polestar (the electric performance car brand).

www.dbjourney.com

About LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I

LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I is an investment fund sponsored by the LVMH Group aiming at investing minority stakes in companies in the luxury sector.

About LVMH Luxury Ventures Advisors

LVMH Luxury Ventures Advisors (“LLVA”) identifies, on behalf of LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I, its Management Company and other entities of the LVMH Group, minority investment opportunities in the most emblematic and cult brands throughout the luxury space that are independently managed (in order to reinforce their brand vision and entrepreneurial spirit, enabling them to be in a position to seek and achieve the most favorable financial exit), encouraging entrepreneurs to stay true to their vision, preserving the authenticity and uniqueness of their brands in the long run.

In addition to Our Legacy, the LLVA team has notably advised the investments in the eminent and influential brands Gabriela Hearst and Aimé Leon Dore.

www.lvmhluxuryventuresadvisors.com

About this transaction

Carnegie acted as financial advisor and Wiersholm acted as legal advisor to Db.

LVMH Luxury Ventures Advisors, a French simplified joint-stock company (“Société par Actions Simplifiée”) with a share capital of EUR 40,000, whose registered office is 24-32 rue Jean Goujon 75008 Paris, France, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 909 816 985, is a French financial investment advisor (“Conseiller en Investissements Financiers”) registered with the French financial, banking and insurance intermediaries Register (ORIAS) under number 23001856. LLVA is member of ANACOFI-CIF, a French professional association duly authorized by the AMF, and acts as a financial advisor to FundPartner AM and LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I.

LVMH Luxury Ventures Fund I is a professional specialized fund formed as a limited partnership (“Société de Libre Partenariat”), governed by articles L. 214-162-1 et seq. of the French Monetary and Financial Code), and managed by FundPartner AM, a French portfolio management company duly authorized by the French Financial Markets Authority (“Autorité des Marchés Financiers” – “AMF”), acting as its Management Company (“Société de Gestion”).