What Inception Ventures Group Limited does

Inception Ventures Group Limited (trading as Inception Group) is a privately held, London-based experiential hospitality operator founded in 2009 by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling. The company runs a portfolio of 15+ themed bars, restaurants, and clubs under distinct owned brand concepts (Mr Fogg's, Cahoots, Barts, Bunga Bunga, Bunga 90, Maggie's, and Control Room B), each built around an immersive, era-specific narrative ranging from Victorian explorer taverns to 1940s post-war underground stations, 1920s Prohibition speakeasies, and 1980s nightclubs. Venue sites are concentrated in prime central London locations including Mayfair, Covent Garden, Soho, Chelsea, Fitzrovia, The Strand, Borough Market, and Battersea Power Station.

The company's revenue model combines on-premise food and beverage sales (walk-ins and advance bookings via the SevenRooms platform) with venue hire and private event bookings (capacities from 25 to 400 guests), supplemented by e-commerce through GiftPro for gift vouchers, at-home cocktail kits (Cahoots Emergency Rations, Mr Fogg's Airmail Cocktails), and merchandise. Differentiation rests on theatrical interior design, custom prop libraries, signature cocktails tied to brand narratives, and proprietary experiential features (world-first pneumatic tube cocktail delivery at Cahoots Postal Office, an aerial wing-walk-shaken cocktail, a Mechanical Mixologist at Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration). Marketing is heavily viral and PR-driven, with award-winning campaigns in partnership with Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray No. TEN, Hendrick's, and Grey Goose.

Customers span individual tourists and locals seeking Instagram-worthy experiences, corporate groups booking Christmas parties and private events, and private event bookers for celebrations. The company has scaled from under 10 employees at founding to approximately 400 staff by 2019, has been recognized across multiple UK hospitality award programs (Publican Awards, London Lifestyle Awards, MCA, Peach 20/20), and was ranked 47th on the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 in 2014. The group remains bootstrapped with no disclosed external investment.

Name

Inception Ventures Group Limited

Legal name

Inception Group

Website

https://inception-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Inception Ventures Group Limited is a London-based experiential hospitality operator founded in 2009, running 15+ themed bars, restaurants, and clubs (Mr Fogg's, Cahoots, Barts, Bunga Bunga, Bunga 90, Maggie's, Control Room B) across prime central London locations for tourists, locals, corporate, and private event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Experiential Hospitality Venues

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Caterers (72232)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ), Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB), Bar & Beverage Catering (Mobile Bar, Bartending) (HSACAGAF), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH)

Keywords

• Themed bar operations
• Hospitality venue hire
• Experiential dining venues
• Cocktail bar concepts
• Private event spaces

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Direct sales from food, drinks, and cocktails across all venues including Mr Fogg's collection, Cahoots, Bunga Bunga, Barts, Maggie's, and Control Room B. Revenue generated through walk-ins, table bookings, and bar service.
2. Venue Hire and Private Events: Corporate events, Christmas parties, private bookings, and venue hire across all venues. Capacity ranges from 25 to 400 guests depending on venue. Includes dedicated events team for bespoke occasions.
3. Cocktail Delivery and At-Home Kits: Delivery of cocktails and cocktail-making kits for at-home consumption. Cahoots Emergency Ration Packs and Mr Fogg's Airmail Cocktails sold via giftpro.co.uk platform.
4. Gift Vouchers: Sale of gift vouchers and experience packages through giftpro.co.uk platform across all venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Inception Group operates a portfolio of themed bars, restaurants, and nightclubs across central London under brands including Mr Fogg's (Victorian explorer-themed), Cahoots (1940s post-war themed), Barts (1920s Prohibition speakeasy), Bunga Bunga (Italian-themed), Bunga 90 (1990s-themed), Maggie's (1980s nightclub), and Control Room B (1950s themed bar inside Battersea Power Station). The company also provides full-service venue hire for corporate events and private celebrations (capacities 25 to 400 guests), branded cocktail delivery kits for at-home consumption, and gift vouchers across its venue network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mr Fogg's: Victorian-themed taverns and bars inspired by Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days, featuring multiple venues including Tavern, Gin Parlour, Residence, Botanical Tavern, Society of Exploration, Pawnbrokers, Hat Tavern, City Tavern, Market Tavern, and Apothecary
• Cahoots
• Barts
• Bunga Bunga
• Bunga 90
• Maggie's
• Control Room B

Products and services

• Mr Fogg's Collection A collection of Victorian-themed bars and taverns inspired by Jules Verne's 'Around the World in 80 Days', offering themed cocktails, dining, and private hire across multiple central London locations targeting tourists, locals, and corporate clients.
• Cahoots Network A 1940s post-war themed underground cocktail bar concept spanning multiple Soho and Borough Market spaces, offering vintage cocktails, immersive theatrical environments, and venue hire for private events.
• Barts A 1920s Prohibition-era speakeasy bar located in Chelsea Cloisters offering vintage cocktails, theatrical entertainment, and private hire for events up to 80 guests.
• Bunga 90 An interactive 1990s-themed cocktail bar in Covent Garden offering karaoke, entertainment-driven experiences, and private venue hire for groups up to 270 guests.
• Maggie's A 1980s-themed nightclub in Chelsea offering themed cocktails, a fancy dress box for guests, and entertainment-driven nightlife experiences.
• Control Room B A 1950s-themed all-day bar experience inside the Grade II* listed Battersea Power Station, featuring original control panels, dials and switchgear racks, signature high-voltage cocktails, and private hire for up to 250 guests.
• Cocktail Delivery and At-Home Kits Branded cocktail delivery kits including Cahoots Emergency Ration Packs and Mr Fogg's Airmail Cocktails, sold via giftpro.co.uk platform for at-home consumption across the UK.
• Venue Hire and Private Events Service A full-service venue hire offering across all Inception Group venues, supported by a dedicated events team handling corporate events, Christmas parties, private celebrations, and bespoke occasions for groups of 25 to 400 guests.
• Gift Vouchers and Experience Packages Gift vouchers and experience packages sold via giftpro.co.uk e-commerce platform for redemption across all Inception Group venues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised £42,721 for StreetSmart in 2024 - second highest amount in UK
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Switchboard LGBT+ HelplinecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Pride Month 2026 fundraising partner across all Inception Group venues (excluding Maggie's). £1 discretionary donations added to bills over £25. Raised £20,447.65 for the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line. Included Lunch & Learn session with Bob Hughes from Switchboard.
• The Eve AppealminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Gynaecological cancer research partnership with £1 discretionary donations on bills over £25 throughout April 2026. Included Lunch & Learn session at Mr Fogg's Botanical Tavern with Karen Hobbs from the charity.
• Kelly's Cause FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Mental health partnership offering certified Mental Health First Aider qualification to managers within the LGBTQIA+ community. Kelly's Cause provides tools and training to help hospitality businesses better support mental health in the workplace.
• Bacardi and Tequila PatrónminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2025Annual Inception Group cocktail competition sponsors. Robert Capon from Cahoots Postal Office won with 'Lucky Red's' cocktail, featured across all Inception Group venues for one month.
• StreetSmartcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2024Annual homelessness charity partnership through £1 on every bill initiative during November-December. Raised £42,721 in 2024 - second highest amount in the UK, receiving recognition award. All admin costs covered by sponsors so 100% of donations go to those in need.
• Grey GooseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2023Activation for Mr Fogg's 'A Sip of the Alps' - a Grey Goose Martini cocktail inspired by alpine skiing, served from Aspinal flask at selected Mr Fogg's venues.
• Hendrick's Neptunia GinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Collaboration on Mr Fogg's first sea-aged cocktail - cocktails were sea-aged for 193 hours and served exclusively throughout October at Mr Fogg's venues in treasure chests.
• Tanqueray No. TENcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019Partnership for Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room launch. Created the 'Own the Bar' campaign where applicants could win ownership of the venue for a week, including free gin for life. Tanqueray No. TEN gin featured exclusively in the launch.
• Bombay SapphirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2018Partnership for Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration opening campaign 'Around the World Job' where candidates traveled globally collecting botanicals for a new cocktail. Bombay Sapphire provided the partnership for this viral marketing campaign that attracted over 10,000 applicants.
• Hendrick's GinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2015Hendrick's Botanical Garden popup at Mr Fogg's Residence during summer 2015. Featured Hendrick's Gin cocktails inspired by Victorian botanical gardens with custom serves including 'A Symphony of Peculiar Deliciousness' and 'We Have Them By The Junipers!'.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Alchemist: UK themed cocktail bar and restaurant brand with theatrical mixology, molecular serves, and immersive concepts. Closest concept-driven competitor to Cahoots and Mr Fogg's, with comparable target customer (experiential cocktail drinkers) and multi-site expansion model.
• Dirty Martini: London-based cocktail bar group with multiple premium central London venues. Direct competitor for cocktail-led late-night bookings, private events, and corporate clientele — overlapping target customer and geographic footprint.
• Simmons Bars: Themed late-night cocktail bar chain across London with similarly irreverent, themed, value-positioned venues. Comparable on concept-led brand portfolio, central London density, and young-adult/cocktail night-out customer.
• Drake & Morgan: London-based group of design-led bars and restaurants (The Anthologist, The Drift, etc.) targeting after-work drinks, weekend dining, and private events. Comparable in central London sites, design-led differentiation, and venue hire offerings.
• Loungers plc: AIM-listed UK bar and restaurant group operating Lounge and Cosy Club brands across the UK. Comparable as a multi-site, concept-led casual bar/restaurant operator with similar audience, mix of drinks-led and food-led sites, and venue hire orientation.
• Be At One: London-founded cocktail bar group operating multiple high-energy venues across the UK with a similar cocktail-led, late-night, group-bookings focus. Directly comparable in customer base, product offering, and central London footprint to Inception's themed cocktail bars.
• The Cocktail Club: UK cocktail bar chain with themed, music-led venues across London and major UK cities. Direct competitor for group bookings, hen/stag parties, and cocktail experiences — overlapping value proposition and marketing channels.

Emerging players

• Daisy Green Collection: London-based independent restaurant group operating multiple distinctive Australian- and Asian-inspired venues across the city. Comparable as a multi-site, design-led London operator with themed branding and venue hire offerings, though primarily food-led rather than cocktail-led.
• MEATLiquor: London-founded restaurant and bar group known for cult branding, multiple sites, and a young-adult/casual dining audience. Partial overlap with Inception's high-energy, social-media-driven, walk-in trade positioning, though focused on burgers rather than cocktails.

Broad incumbents

• Soho House: Global private members' club and hospitality operator with significant London presence. Broader incumbent in the experiential London hospitality category — overlapping on themed interiors, premium F&B, and high-value event clientele, though Soho House operates a membership-led model rather than walk-in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inception-group-london

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 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 Inception Ventures Group Limited