Bartesian Secures Strategic Investment from Channel 4 Ventures to Accelerate UK Expansion

The investment marks a significant milestone for Bartesian as it expands internationally, leveraging Channel 4's media reach and consumer influence to introduce luxury at-home cocktail experiences to millions of UK households. 

With this partnership, Bartesian will benefit from targeted advertising across Channel 4, boosting brand visibility and consumer adoption across the UK. The deal supports Channel 4’s wider goal of diversifying its revenue streams as it transitions to becoming a digital-first public service streamer, as laid out in its Fast Forward Strategy. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Channel 4 Ventures, a leader in media-driven growth investments,” said Ryan Close, Founder & CEO of Bartesian. “This investment enables us to rapidly build brand awareness, secure key retail partnerships, and bring our premium cocktail experience to even more British consumers.” 

Vinay Solanki, Managing Director at Channel 4 Ventures, comments: “Bartesian represents the perfect blend of innovation, premium experience, and consumer demand for convenience. We see significant growth potential for the brand in the UK and are excited to support its expansion through our media investment.” 

With this strategic investment, Bartesian is set to become a household name in the UK’s premium cocktail market, driving both direct-to-consumer growth and high-end retail partnerships.

Channel 4 Ventures is a leading consumer venture capital investor which re-invests returns into Channel 4. The fund is the pioneer of the media-for-equity investment model in the UK, investing in consumer companies from post-seed to pre-IPO stages using Channel 4’s advertising space and in return receiving equity stakes in the companies it backs.

Bartesian is revolutionizing the cocktail experience by bringing premium, bar-quality drinks into the home with the push of a button. Founded in 2014 by Canadian entrepreneur Ryan Close, Bartesian was built on the belief that crafting a great cocktail should be effortless. Its award- winning intelligent drink system uses recyclable capsules filled with real, high-quality ingredients, allowing users to create expertly mixed cocktails without the need for multiple ingredients or bartending skills. 

By combining technology with the art of mixology, Bartesian has redefined convenience in home entertainment and hospitality. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned recognition across the industry, including a Good Housekeeping Best Innovation award. As Bartesian continues to expand its presence in homes, hotels, and hospitality venues, it remains dedicated to elevating the cocktail experience and making premium drinks more accessible to all. 

Established in 2015, Channel 4 Ventures is the consumer venture capital arm of Channel 4. The fund is a pioneer of the media-for-equity investment model in the UK, investing in consumer companies from the seed to pre-IPO stages using Channel 4’s advertising space (linear and streaming) and in return receiving equity stakes in the companies it backs. 

We are a thesis driven investment team that believes that consumer companies can scale more rapidly by leveraging the reach of mainstream media platforms, like TV and VOD. Channel 4 Ventures exists to allow consumer companies to experience the benefits of brand advertising at an earlier stage of development than otherwise possible. Channel 4 Ventures has completed over 50 deals, backing companies such as what3words, Oddbox, Purplebricks, Pinterest, Crowdcube, Carwow, Raylo and Swyft.

Channel 4 Ventures is core part of Channel 4’s revenue diversification strategy, which seeks to reduce Channel 4’s reliance on advertising revenues. All profits made from exits of Channel 4 Ventures equity stakes are invested in the creative ecosystem.

About Channel 4 

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market. 

From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.