What Harlo Entertainment does

Harlo Entertainment is a Toronto-based private equity firm founded in 2018 that manages more than $250 million in assets across the hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology sectors. The firm operates a value-oriented investment model focused on early-stage and conceptualization-stage opportunities, deploying capital alongside operational expertise through four stated pillars: People, Disruption, Synergy, and Value Add. Its portfolio spans more than 35 holdings including restaurant brands (Shake Shack Canada, Mimi Chinese, Sunnys Chinese, Papi Steak, Kasa Moto), entertainment venues (New City Gas, Cabana Pool Bar, Rebel), e-sports franchises (OverActive Media, Toronto Ultra, Mad Lions, Defiant), consumer products (Moneybag Vodka, Tromba Tequila), fitness concepts (SPINCO), and technology companies (Flashfood, Rewordly, Jiffy).

The firm is led by Chairman Michael Kimel and Managing Partner Brandon Marek, both of whom have track records of co-founding or launching the majority of the portfolio's flagship brands. The firm generates revenue through standard private equity management fee economics on its AUM, with no disclosed fee structure or carried-interest realization data. Geographically, Harlo's deals originate primarily in Canada (Toronto headquarters) with material US exposure through Miami and Las Vegas hospitality assets, and it has expanded into real estate via a separate Harlo Capital platform. The firm employs approximately 20 individuals across investment, finance, culinary, F&B operations, sales/events, and creative producer roles, structured to provide direct operating support to portfolio companies rather than purely financial sponsorship.

Name

Harlo Entertainment

Legal name

Harlo Entertainment

Website

https://harloentertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Harlo Entertainment is a Toronto-based private equity firm managing $250M+ in assets, investing early-stage capital and operational expertise into hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology brands across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Equity Asset Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Management of Companies and Enterprises (551), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Entertainment Venue Property Management (BPAJAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Venues & Location Rentals (Hotels, Ballrooms, Unique Venues) (MPAGAHAO), Trade Shows & Industry Expos (B2B) (MPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Private equity investments
• Hospitality asset management
• Entertainment venture capital
• Lifestyle brand investing
• Early-stage growth capital

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Equity Management: Generates returns through management of private equity investments in hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology sectors, with focus on operational improvements to drive performance and growth

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Harlo Entertainment is a Toronto-based private equity firm that manages more than $250M in assets, providing early-stage equity investments and operational support to companies in the hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology industries. The firm invests directly in operating businesses (restaurants, entertainment venues, e-sports teams, lifestyle brands, and consumer technology companies) and supports them through four stated pillars: People, Disruption, Synergy, and Value Add.

Product overview

Harlo Entertainment is a Toronto-based private equity firm with more than $250M in assets under management, focused on early-stage investments in the hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology industries. The firm does not offer a standalone product; instead, it provides investment capital and operational expertise to portfolio companies. Its investment portfolio spans restaurant and hospitality brands (including Shake Shack Canada, Mimi Chinese, Sunnys Chinese, Papi Steak, Kasa Moto, and others), entertainment venues (New City Gas, Cabana Pool Bar, Rebel), e-sports teams (OverActive Media, Toronto Ultra, Mad Lions, Defiant), lifestyle brands (Moneybag Vodka, Tromba Tequila, REBEL), fitness concepts (SPINCO), and technology companies (Flashfood, Rewordly, Jiffy). Harlo supports these investments through four strategic pillars: People, Disruption, Synergy, and Value Add.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Equity Investment Management Private equity investment management services for early-stage and growth-stage companies in hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and technology sectors across North America, with more than $250M in assets under management and operational support guided by four pillars (People, Disruption, Synergy, Value Add).

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Shake Shack CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarlo Entertainment played key role in launching Shake Shack in Canada, including first Western Canadian location at CF Chinook Centre in Calgary. Shake Shack appears as portfolio company on Harlo investments page.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brentwood Associates: Consumer-focused PE firm investing in growth-oriented consumer and retail businesses, including restaurants and lifestyle brands. Comparable as a sector-specialist in discretionary consumer categories.
• Lion Capital: Consumer-focused PE firm with deep restaurant, food, and lifestyle brand portfolios. Comparable investment focus on branded consumer and hospitality operators.
• L Catterton: Consumer-focused private equity firm with deep restaurant, beauty, and lifestyle brand portfolios (including Shake Shack historically). Closely comparable investment thesis around premium consumer and hospitality brands.
• KarpReilly: Specialist consumer and hospitality private equity firm investing in restaurant, lifestyle, and entertainment brands. Comparable focus on operator-led value creation in food, beverage, and experiential categories.
• Roark Capital Group: Atlanta-based PE firm specializing in franchise and consumer-facing businesses, including major restaurant brands (Inspire Brands, Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings). Directly comparable in hospitality and lifestyle investment focus.
• RedBird Capital Partners: PE firm focused on sports, media, and consumer investments, with holdings across e-sports, hospitality, and lifestyle brands. Comparable given Harlo's e-sports and entertainment venue exposure.

Broad incumbents

• TPG Capital: Large, diversified alternative asset manager with significant consumer, hospitality, and entertainment exposure (e.g., Cirque du Soleil, Caesars). Overlapping sectors but at much greater scale and breadth.
• KKR & Co. Global investment firm with broad consumer, real estate, and entertainment verticals. Overlaps with Harlo in restaurants, venues, and lifestyle but operates at vastly larger AUM and diversification.
• Eldridge Industries: Holding company with significant sports, entertainment, and consumer exposure (including DraftKings, Connecticut Sun). Comparable around sports/e-sports and entertainment investing.

Regional players

• Pilot House Ventures: Toronto-based investment platform with hospitality, real estate, and lifestyle exposure. Comparable Canadian regional footprint and operating model focus on local consumer and hospitality concepts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Harlo Entertainment