Fri 23rd Jan 2026 - WatchHouse secures new funding from Bezos family to accelerate US expansion and enter new markets WatchHouse secures new funding from Bezos family to accelerate US expansion and enter new markets: Specialty coffee business WatchHouse has secured new funding led by global investment firm HighPost Capital, the investment firm co-founded by Mark Bezos, which it said will accelerate its entry into new markets, with a focus on further expansion in the US. The 25-strong company, which was founded in London in 2014 by Roland Horne, said the new investment marked “a significant endorsement of WatchHouse's international potential and reflects growing global confidence in distinctive, design-led British brands”. HighPost, which was founded by leading private equity fund investor and chief executive, David Moross, and marketing innovator, Bezos, half-brother of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, led the Series B investment round in WatchHouse. HighPost invested £7.3m in the funding round, which raised £10.9m and brought WatchHouse’s total valuation to £76.1m. The investment firm said it invests in “visionary consumer and technology businesses at the intersection of culture, experience and innovation”, and its backing underscores WatchHouse's position as a “category-defining platform with global relevance”. The new capital will support WatchHouse's next phase of international expansion, with a particular focus on accelerating growth across the US. Horne told The Times the investment would be used to help it grow from 25 to 100 shops globally by 2029. The ten-year vision is to hit 1,000. In 2026, the brand said it will scale its North American footprint with multiple flagship openings across New York, beginning with a new Park Avenue House this spring, building on its existing locations in the Chrysler Building and Fifth Avenue. Further openings are also planned across London and the UAE, with additional global markets under negotiation and consideration. The company currently operates 21 sites in London, one in Bath, two in New York, and one in Dubai. WatchHouse and HighPost said the new partnership reflects a “shared conviction in WatchHouse's brand strength, cultural relevance and scalability”, and stands as a “powerful testament to the exportability of British creativity, craftsmanship and hospitality on the world stage”. Horne said: “This injection of capital comes at a pivotal point for WatchHouse, as we kickstart the next phase in our global expansion and strengthen our foothold in the US market. Alongside new openings, this investment enables us to scale our ambitions, evolving WatchHouse’s refined coffee-led approach to transition into a holistic lifestyle brand, with international relevance. When a fund like Highpost comes knocking, you know you are doing something right and we are delighted to step up the challenge in redefining what modern coffee is globally. We are partnering with HighPost to accelerate this vision, and leverage its significant strategic capital, network and extensive experience in building leading consumer-focused companies, to help us achieve our next phase of growth.” Moross said: “We are proud to become part of the WatchHouse journey through our fund HIPstr, an extremely exciting company with a strong runway for growth and scale in the rapidly growing and attractive premium coffee market. Roland and his visionary team have built an impressive business with a strong international following and broken through in what is a fragmented and competitive sector. We look forward to supporting its expansion efforts.” In October, Propel revealed WatchHouse was to open its first location in the UAE, after signing a franchise agreement with Big Belly Hospitality, an established operator in the region's food and beverage sector. The new master franchise agreement for the region began with a six-month espresso-focused residency at Marsa Boulevard, a seasonal waterfront development along Dubai Creek, with four further sites set to open in the UAE this year. In September, Caroline Ottoy, managing director of WatchHouse, told Propel the business planned to grow to 100 sites within the next three years, including expanding its fledgling US estate to 25 outlets and having circa 40 franchised venues, and exploring other markets such as Singapore and Qatar. WatchHouse features in the Premium Club Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the latest edition of which features 1,212 companies. WatchHouse's turnover of £15,393,108 for the year ending 28 July 2024 is the 675th highest in the database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.