The law firm FTPA has assisted Iris Galerie, the first company in France to transform the iris of the eye into a work of art, in raising funds from Art Nova, the impact fund that supports all cultural and creative industries. A €7 million investment designed to accelerate the company’s national and international network with the creation of 250 galleries by 2025.
Founded in 2021 by Emeric Wehbeh, Iris Galerie is considered the first company to turn the iris of the eye into a real work of art thanks to a concept combining photography and high-quality printing. Already present in many territories such as Toulouse, Copenhagen, Nice, Carcassonne, Annecy, Bordeaux, but also London, Iris Galerie has managed to establish itself, in less than a year, as a phenomenon for the general public.
Its €7 million investment from the Art Nova impact fund has enabled it to begin its second phase of growth by focusing on two priorities.
The company intends to accelerate the group’s national and international network with the opening of 250 galleries within the next three years and 50 by the end of the year, notably in the Middle East, the United States and Asia.
The transaction will also allow the company to continue its technological development and to vary its offer by creating very high quality artworks and thus widen the field of possibilities for buyers by focusing on innovation.
FTPA advised Iris Galerie and its historical partners with a team led by François-Xavier Beauvisage, Counsel (M&A – Private Equity), assisted by Agathe Laporte, associate (M&A – Private Equity), and Julie Falcon de Longevialle, associate (IP).
GATE Avocat accompanied Art Nova with a team led by Arnaud Larrousse, partner, assisted by Eloi Sahli and Sacha Assuied (M&A – Private Equity).
About Iris Galerie:
Founded by Emeric Wehbeh in 2021, Iris Galerie is a studio based on innovation, which realizes, by combining photography and high quality printing, art photos of customers’ eyes. A technology that allows customers to have their irises photographed, then choose the effects to be applied to their image, as well as the format and finishes for the prints. A true work of personal art, each print is unique and has its own certificate.
Based in France as well as internationally, the brand, which already had 15 galleries last March, now has 25 and expects to have a network of 50 points of sale by the end of the year, notably in the Middle East, the United States and Asia.
PRESS CONTACT:
Marie MERKLEN
Tel : 01 85 09 31 78 / m.merklen@eliott-markus.com
