VC-backed Aérophile raises €4m

The €4m contributed by the two investors forms part of a larger €10m round of new funding that is currently being raised by Aérophile.

The fresh funding will be used by Aérophile to finance the development of its Parc du Petit Prince project, which is an aerial park in Alsace set to open in July this year. The company is also in the process of recruiting 50 more staff.

Previous funding
Aérophile first received funding in February 2001, securing FF 10m (€1.5m) from Idinvest Partners (then AGF Private Equity). The firm backed the company via its AGF Innovation 2 fund, according to unquote" data.

In November 2008, the company received a further €2.4m from 123 Venture. This was followed by a €2.5m funding round provided by Entrepreneur Venture in November 2012.

Company
Founded in 1993, Aérophile designs, manufactures and operates tethered gas balloons. The company operates balloons in Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World, Orange County Great Park, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.

Aérophile's Parc du Petit Prince is set to span 23 hectares and contain 30 attractions, including two tethered balloons. Investments totalling €50m have gone into the park, according to Aérophile.

The company is headquartered in Paris with an additional office in Orlando, Florida. It recorded turnover of €8.5m in 2013, representing a 25% increase on 2012.

People
Aérophile was founded by president Jérôme Giacomoni and CEO Matthieu Gobbi. Bertrand Folliet is an associate at Entrepreneur Venture.

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