Speakeasy Group owners Sven Almenning and Greg Sanderson are offering Australian investors and stakeholders the opportunity to own a piece of their favourite Speakeasy venue.
The group is aiming to raise up to $3 million from investors through crowdfunding, with rewards on offer for $500-$10,000 investments. Investors will receive shares in the company and also be offered a variety of ‘owner’s privileges’ according to the size of their investment.
“We’ve always sought to do things differently,” says Almenning. “Giving our loyal clientele and teams the opportunity to share in our growth journey is really important to us. It’s great the equity crowdfunding regime now allows us to do this.”
In the short-term, the funds will be used to open a Nick & Nora’s outpost in Melbourne, which will be the seventh venue under the Speakeasy banner.
“We are currently in the process of signing the lease for a super exciting new space in Melbourne CBD,” Almenning told BARS&clubs. “Build will commence mid this year and we are aiming to be open early 2020. All monies raised will go towards expansion.”
When asked why people should consider investing in Speakeasy, Almenning replied: “Hah! Well – who doesn’t want to be a bar owner?”
“This is a unique opportunity for our guests and consumers in general to invest into a highly awarded and profitable bar group. On a more serious note, obviously investing in hospitality carries a certain amount of risk, however we have a great track-record at the Speakeasy Group.
“Our venues remain highly profitable and are delivering extremely strong returns on investment. Unlike most other crowd-funded businesses, the Speakeasy Group will be offering dividend payments from day one, and we’re also offering some great “owner’s privileges’ that our investors can enjoy.”
The equity crowdfunding campaign is currently live, in the expression of interest stage, on leading platform Birchal. The offer is expected to open – initially with pre-registrations – in the coming weeks.