Last year, we told you that Pollen is becoming a company worth following.
Founded in 2014 by brothers Callum & Liam Negus-Fancey, the London-based music, travel and experience company has made two impressive UK hires in 2021, named for Zeon Richards as Head of Hip Hop Partnerships and Christine Osazuwa as Chief Strategy Officer for the gift of pollen.
Today (April 21), the company announced that they have increased 150 million dollars in a Series C round, has previously raised over $100 million in VC funding, from investors including Kindred, Northzone, Sienna Capital, Backed, and Draper Spirit.
Pollen offers two services: Pollen Presents, which provides customer experiences for travel, music and more; and Pollen+, partnering with promoters and music festivals to offer customers who book through their platforms exclusive privileges at events.
The company says it uses customer data and insights to create exclusive experiences for its platform, and works with “the world’s biggest brands and music festivals.” to sell their experience.
Pollen has created exclusive travel experiences with artists like J Balvin, Justin Bieber and Duran Duran.
Formerly known as Verve, Pollen says its Series C funding is based on “significant momentum” for the company, after seeing what it said was “stellar growth despite the pandemic.”
Backers named in the latest funding announcement include Kindred, Lansdowne Partners, Northzone, Sienna Capital, Backed and Molton Ventures.
Pollen + partners with promotional brands and music festivals including We Are FSTVL, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Electric Zoo, Living country and more.
The company says it has attracted “top talent” includingInstagram CMO Cliff Hopkins, former Pacha Group CEO Gaston Calabresi, former Deliveroo Global Head of Customer Service Cathy Doorenbosch, and former Design Director Klarna Kristofer Agermark.
“When people look back in 10 years and think about their top five anniversaries, we want them to feel like Pollen was responsible for three of them.”
Callum Negus-Fancey, Pollen
Pollen co-founder and CEO Callum Negus-Fancey said: “People want personalized travel experiences built on what they’re passionate about and Pollen is at the forefront of this need; We use our proprietary data and customer insights to build one-of-a-kind travel experiences with the world’s greatest talent and brands in the best destinations.
“When people look back in 10 years and think about their top five anniversaries, we want them to feel like Pollen was responsible for three of them.”Worldwide music business
