London gelato maker receives £1m investment for expansion

A London ice cream startup has received £1m in investments to support its expansion plans.

Hackney Gelato, which provides gourmet ice cream for Michelin starred restaurants, received the investment from venture capitalist trust Pembroke VCT.

The company will use the funding to expand its ice-cream making facilities in Hackney and to increase production.

The startup was founded in 2015, and supplies London restaurants such as Hakkasan and Brat, as well as food chains including Ocado and Whole Foods.

Pembroke has previously invested in companies such as Five Guys.

Sam Newman, co-founder, commented: “This investment allows us to expand our London premises and equipment so we can make greater volumes of proper ice cream and hire the right people to get it out there.”

Andrew Wolfson, from Pembroke VCT, added: “Hackney Gelato is unique.

“It is not just another standard ice cream business that’s trying to crack retail.

“It is an established and well-loved trade business, seeking to grow its ability to manufacture for the trade and launch the ‘restaurant approved’ gelato into retail.”