• UAE-based Quintas Capital has completed its first Managed Equity investment worth $18 million in Petal Group, a floral gifting and e-commerce platform operating across Ireland and the UAE.
• Founded by Garreth Knowd, Petal Group runs several leading online flower brands—Flowers.ie, FlowersDirect.ie, BloomMagic.ie, and Flowers.ae—offering premium floral design, same-day delivery, and a proprietary tech platform that powers fulfilment and customer experience.
• The funding will support Petal Group’s international expansion, with a focus on strategic acquisitions and new market entries, building on its strong base in the Irish–Middle East investment corridor.

Press release:

Quintas Capital is delighted to announce the completion of its first Managed Equity investment of US$ 18 million in the Petal Group, a fast-growing floral gifting and e-commerce business headquartered across Ireland and the UAE.

The Petal Group operates a portfolio of leading online flower brands — Flowers.ie, FlowersDirect.ie, BloomMagic.ie, and Flowers.ae — which together deliver thousands of the highest quality floral gifts every week across Ireland and the UAE.

Founded by Garreth Knowd, an experienced entrepreneur and technologist, the Group has built a reputation for premium floral design, same-day delivery, and a proprietary technology platform that drives its fulfilment efficiency and customer experience. 

Kevin MacSweeny, Head of Managed Equity and Shareholder at Quintas Capital, commented:

“This is a landmark first investment for our Managed Equity strategy, and we are thrilled to partner with Garreth and the team. Petal Group has built a unique high-growth, scalable and technology-led business with significant international reach. We are looking forward to supporting its next phase of the group’s expansion focusing on acquisitions and entry into new strategic markets.”

The investment marks a major milestone for Quintas Capital, representing the first transaction completed under its Managed Equity division which is a deal-by-deal private equity model that allows Quintas Capital to partner with investors, entrepreneurs, and management teams on scalable, high-growth opportunities. 

During 2024, former private equity professionals Kevin MacSweeny and UAE-based Fawad Tariq Khan acquired a significant stake in Quintas Capital with a view of scaling its private market investment activities.

Fawad Tariq Khan, Director and Shareholder of Quintas Capital, commented:

“The United Arab Emirates is a high-growth economy, and we are proud to make our first equity investment in the region. We are actively seeking acquisitions and new market expansion, supporting our thesis for the Irish–Middle East investment corridor.” 

Garreth Knowd, Founder of the Petal Group of companies, commented:

“I am excited to be working with Kevin, Fawad and the team at Quintas Capital and remaining a shareholder on the next journey for the companies. Kevin was very focused on getting the right mix of value-add investors involved in Petal, some of whom will work closely with us on the Board.”

Quintas Capital’s wider platform includes Managed Equity, an EIIS fund, and a Private Credit platform led by CEO Kevin Canning, giving private investors structured access to a range of alternative investment opportunities. 

The firm’s mission is to democratise access to private markets, providing professionally managed investment opportunities typically reserved for institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. Quintas Capital is run by an experienced team of investment professionals with a track record across private equity, credit, and structured finance.

Quintas Capital were advised by Grant Thorton Ireland and UAE led by Gareth Cosgrove, covering financial, tax & technology due diligence and by A&L Goodbody on transaction legals and legal due diligence led by Laura Kennedy. Afridi & Angell, led by Saurbh Kothari, were local counsel in the UAE.

The Petal Group of companies was advised by PKF Brenson Lawlor, led by Jason Bradshaw & Gordon Wilson for corporate finance & legal advice by Simmons & Simmons, led by David Brangam.