Pophouse Entertainment has announced the final closing of its debut fund, Pophouse Fund I.
The global entertainment and music investment firm raised more than €1bn, becoming one of the largest first-time private equity funds to be raised in Europe in the last decade.
In addition, more than €200 million has been raised in secured capital through dedicated co-investment vehicles, providing investors the opportunity to invest alongside the Fund and participate in select transactions.
The Fund is already approximately 30% deployed, with artist partnerships including rock band Kiss, American Cyndi Lauper and Swedish EDM artists Avicii and Swedish House Mafia.
“The Fund will acquire music catalogues and IP, pursuing exciting new partnerships in Pophouse’s pipeline, which include some of the world’s most recognisable and influential names in the global music industry,” said a statement.
Pophouse, founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus and EQT founder Conni Jonsson, is led by CEO Per Sundin and chaired by Lennart Blecher, EQT’s head of real assets.
The firm’s music investments cover publishing rights, recording rights, and NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights.
The firm has attracted a diverse global investor base, including leading pension funds, endowments, high-net-worth individuals, family offices and sovereign wealth funds.
Conni Jonsson (pictured), co-founder of Pophouse, said: “Facing unprecedented disruption caused by streaming and technology, music intellectual property presents a differentiated, lifetime opportunity for investors. We are reshaping the entertainment industry by applying an active, value-add approach that unlocks future generations for fandom.”
Johan Lagerlöf, managing partner at Pophouse, said: “By investing across publishing, recording and brand rights, Pophouse has created a uniquely attractive prospect not only for investors but also for artists, empowering them to explore and amplify their legacy to new generations of fans. We would like to thank our investors for the trust they have placed in our world-class investment and creative teams, and we look forward to the exciting journey ahead as we continue to partner with more of the world’s preeminent artists.”
Natalia Fontecha, partner and head of capital raising & investor relations, added: “Raising over €1.2bn for our debut fundraising is an extraordinary milestone that firmly establishes Pophouse as a global leader in music investment. I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s dedication and diligence, and I extend our heartfelt gratitude to our investors for their trust and partnership. As we look ahead, we are committed to driving innovation and breaking creative and technological boundaries, redefining the entertainment landscape in this transformative era for music while delivering attractive uncorrelated returns for our investors.”
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