Secondary
July founders pour $2 million into Memobottle for a 20% stake
July's two cofounders personally bought a fifth of bottle maker Memobottle for two million dollars, valuing it at ten million, and will join its board.
Founder, July
Athan Didaskalou
Roles
Disclosed deals
Every published round Athan Didaskalou took part in, and every parcel of existing shares it bought off another holder. Deals we hold but haven't published yet are not counted.
Portfolio
Companies Athan Didaskalou has backed in a published round, and companies whose existing shares it bought off another holder.
| Company | What it does | First invested | Rounds | Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No portfolio companies recorded yet. | ||||
Funds
Fund closes reported for Athan Didaskalou, as distinct from the investments it has made.
Portfolio companies acquired
Companies Athan Didaskalou has backed that another company then bought. An exit for the holding, not a deal Athan Didaskalou did.
Coverage
Stories naming Athan Didaskalou. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.
Unnamed stage
July founders take 20% stake in Memobottle at $10 million valuation
Two founders of a luggage brand have bought a fifth of a water bottle maker at a ten-million-dollar valuation, with the money going into growth rather than to sellers, and a new bottle launching soon.
Funding announcement
‘When Lachlan calls, you answer’: Inside this Murdoch-backed luggage giant
Profile of luggage brand July, built by Melbourne founders Athan Didaskalou and Richard Li with backing including Lachlan Murdoch, covering its pandemic pivot, Olympic team supply deal and retail expansion.
Key hire
Luggage startup July nabs Little Birdie’s Joanne Smith as its first CFO
Victorian luggage retailer July has hired Joanne Smith away from Little Birdie as its first chief financial officer, after its leadership team completed LaunchVic's 30×30 scaleup program.
Funding announcement
“We thought that we were on a rocket ship”: How July co-founders bounced back after 95% loss in revenue
Profile of luggage brand July, whose founders rebuilt after a 95% revenue drop in 2020; the article recalls an early $250,000 angel investment and notes over $10 million raised to date.
Funding announcement
Melbourne startup July named as official luggage suppliers for 2022 Australian Commonwealth Games team
Melbourne luggage brand July will supply cases for Australia's 2022 Commonwealth Games team, after a similar Winter Olympics deal. The profile recalls its $10.5 million raise and pandemic-era revenue slump.
3 deals
From revitalising retail to liquidising almonds: Nine breakaway Aussie success stories of 2019
SmartCompany's year-end roundup profiles nine businesses that scaled rapidly in 2019, including Shebah's record equity crowdfunding and follow-up round, July's Strandbags-led raise, and Louis Mittoni's revival of the Toys 'R' Us brand.
Series A
$10.5m
MONEY BAGS: Luggage startup July raises $10.5 million
Melbourne luggage maker July has secured a Series A led by accessories retailer Strandbags, which contributed equity and debt, to fund product development and expansion into Asia-Pacific markets.
Also SmartCompany·SmartCompany
Seed
$300k