NIGERIABirimian, the first operational investment company dedicated exclusively to African luxury and premium heritage brands, has been launched.

Birimian will support designers on the continent and in the diaspora to facilitate and accelerate the growth of their businesses regionally and internationally.

It will be a bridge between the continent’s entrepreneurs and creative talent, and strategic stakeholders in the international fashion and luxury industries.

Delivered through a combination of mentoring, financial and operational support, Birimian will establish an ecosystem designed to create value for African entrepreneurs and help independent labels become international brands.

Birimian was founded by Laureen Kouassi-Olsson, a recognized professional in the African private equity and financial services industries.

“Birimian is a call to action for the luxury fashion industry to contribute to the emergence of African heritage brands, and to move towards a more diverse, creative and modern landscape.”

Laureen Kouassi-Olsson – Founder, Birimian

Its female leadership team is also made up of Michelle Kathryn Essomé, former CEO of the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Investor Relations; Céline Gainsburg-Rey, who specializes in supporting luxury brands, Head of Strategy & Marketing; and Olufunke Faweya, who has dedicated her career to operations management and international brand expansion, who joins as Head of Brand Operations.

Birimian’s governance is strengthened by an investment committee made up of experts in investment, luxury goods, and fashion and will be completed by a creative board of experts and leading figures in the international creative scene that will help Birimian identify talent with strong potential.

“Birimian is an invitation to discover and embrace a universe: one of exceptional African creativity. Our mission is to combine investment, mentoring and operational support to help our brands achieve their true potential and gain international exposure,” Birimian founder Laureen Kouassi-Olsson said.

“Birimian is a call to action for the luxury fashion industry to contribute to the emergence of African heritage brands, and to move towards a more diverse, creative and modern landscape.”

Created by a team with a strong understanding of premium digital brands, Birimian will take a hybrid approach designed to address the challenges associated with capital, production and international distribution faced by African designers.

Its main objective is to accelerate the international emergence of African creators by positioning itself as their major partner in four main sectors: fashion, accessories, beauty & cosmetics, and gourmet.

Birimian is aimed at brands that carry the continent’s culture, tradition, history, and cultural heritage, magnificent in its diversity, in their DNA and identity, brands that adapt to modern and contemporary codes.