“Navigating this new Helia Capital brand from start to finish has been a true labour of love, and something that I’m incredibly proud of and excited to launch out into the world,” says Helia CEO and Founder, Lee Piccoli. “With a mission to invest in purpose-driven companies that are a rare combination of pure passion and operation - al excellence, our focus is on making a significant impact by working together to solve large chal - lenges through sustainable business models that value factors outside of the bottom line.” “Navigating this new Helia Capital brand from start to finish has been a true labour of love, and something that I’m incredibly proud of and excited to launch out into the world,”
“We are incredibly thankful to be working with Helia as they are everything that we hoped for in a partner,”
This recent announcement highlights the most recent deal that Helia was an instrumental part of. In April 2021, Fusion Ventures (now known as Helia Capital) led a $7.5million Series A raise with Plant Power Restaurant Group, LLC., the parent company of Plant Power Fast Food. This announce - ment also included the addition of Helia’s Sebastien Koechli to The Plant Power Restaurant Group’s Board of Directors. The funds from the Series A raised will be used by the plant-based fast- food restaurant chain to continue to execute expansion plans with a focus on new corporate unit devel - opment. The Plant Power Restaurant Group reported year-on-year enter - prise-wide retail net sales growth of 52.14% in 2020 and announced plans to more than double the number of operating restaurants by the third quarter of 2022. New and upcoming store locations set to open for Plant
Power include Hollywood, San Diego, San Clemente, Laguna Hills, and a second Las Vegas location following the opening of a flagship location in October 2021, marking the brand’s first move outside of California. “We are incredibly thankful to be working with Helia as they are everything that we hoped for in a partner,” says Plant Power Co-founder and CEO Jeffrey Harris. “Lee and Sebastien’s exper - tise and skillsets have really allowed us to not only envision but achieve some of the key milestones we’ve been working towards. Their investment and belief in our mission to change the world has been such an integral part of the evolution of our strategy over the last several months. What is truly invaluable however is to have both of them be part of our team, especially during this critical point in the growth and expansion of our business.” Prior to the brand evolution to Helia Capital,
Fusion Ventures built a strong track record of strategic investments, notably partnering with two entrepreneur-lead companies: Childven - tures and Spring Mill Distillery. With each part - nership, the team was involved financially, and strategically, including operational support and corporate governance, further driving brand and business growth. Childventures is an Early Learning Academy and leader in early childhood development programs in Canada blending cur - riculum and the very best teaching methods from Baby Signs and High Scope® to Montessori and Core Knowledge®. Childventures has seen incredible success to date since partnering with the Helia Capital team, including a 60% rise in the opening of new locations since April 2019, with a 9th location currently under development to open in 2023. For more information on Helia Capital, visit heliacapital.com.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
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