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A venture capital fund that supports small businesses in Greater London has spent six figures backing two food companies.

The Capital Fund, a £50 million venture capitalist, put £250,000 into White Circle Organisation and made an undisclosed but substantial investment in Hummus Bros.

White Circle operates cafés, restaurants and food hall outlets serving classic British cuisine under the Couture brand, while Hummus runs a chain of fast food restaurants serving hummus-based snacks and meals.

Both businesses will use the funding to open new sites with Hummus currently having outlets in Wardour Street and at Southampton Row. White Circle’s empire stretches to eight locations and is planning to extend this to 11 by the end of the year.

Hummus co-founder Christian Mouysset said the company is currently developing a site near St Paul’s and hopes to open a fourth restaurant by the end of the year, but its expansion will not end there. “Further afield, we see university towns as potential new locations for future Hummus Bros restaurants.”

The fundings were led by investment managers Helen Reynolds and Benjamin Davis, who have introduced non-executive directors to each board.

The Capital Fund was established in 2002 is the largest of the UK’s nine regional venture capital funds. It is managed by YFM Venture Finance.

Hummus was set up by two university friends who opened their first restaurant in 2005. It serves dishes consisting of hummus as a base with toppings such as mushrooms, chicken or guacamole all accompanied by pitta bread.

White Circle’s portfolio includes outlets at Manchester Museum, The Public in West Bromwich and the food hall at the Royal Arsenal housing and office development in south east London.

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