October’s Very Own (OVO) is stepping into a new growth era after securing a growth capital investment from Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.), positioning the Canadian lifestyle brand founded by Drake, Oliver El‑Khatib, and Noah “40” Shebib to scale globally alongside the world’s most influential celebrity‑led labels. The deal reinforces OVO’s status as one of Canada’s most powerful cultural exports, with ambitions that now extend far beyond music into fashion, sport, and global streetwear.
A.R.I. backs OVO’s next growth chapter
A.R.I., a U.S.‑based investment firm focused on growth financing for innovative, category‑defining companies, has made a growth capital investment in OVO, aiming to support its next phase of expansion. Founder and Managing General Partner Dr. Zack Ellison framed the deal around surging investor appetite for culturally authentic brands, pointing to streetwear label Human Made, partially owned by Pharrell Williams, which went public at nearly $500 million and was reportedly 60 times oversubscribed as a recent benchmark.
Dr. Ellison said, “There is extraordinary global demand for culturally authentic brands right now,” adding that OVO is uniquely positioned by blending global influence across fashion, music, and sports with a lifestyle presence that sets it apart. He described OVO as “the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurship,” calling what Drake, Oliver, and 40 built “culturally unparalleled.”
From Toronto collective to global lifestyle brand
Founded in Toronto in 2008, October’s Very Own began as a music collective and has since evolved into a vertically integrated lifestyle company with 12 flagship stores and a global e‑commerce footprint. In Canada, OVO operates flagship locations in Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, and British Columbia, alongside international stores in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and London, reflecting its growth as a global retail player.
Under CEO Derek “Drex” Jancar—recipient of Billboard Canada’s 2025 Impact Award—OVO has been scaling its online business, expanding high‑profile partnerships, and growing its physical retail footprint while building on the creative foundation laid by Drake, Oliver El‑Khatib, and Noah “40” Shebib. Dr. Ellison said, “Drex is now scaling that vision with remarkable discipline and strategic clarity,” calling OVO not just a moment but “a long‑term movement.”
Positioned among the top celebrity‑led brands
With A.R.I.’s backing, OVO is being explicitly positioned alongside global celebrity‑led heavyweights such as SKIMS (Kim Kardashian), Fenty (Rihanna), and Rhode (Hailey Bieber). Recent market moves underscore the value of this category: SKIMS reached a $5 billion valuation in a Goldman Sachs‑led round joined by BDT & MSD Partners, while e.l.f. Beauty agreed to acquire Rhode at $1 billion, representing about five times trailing revenue.
For A.R.I., brands like OVO sit at the intersection of cultural credibility, celebrity influence, and disciplined execution—factors the firm believes can produce “outsized results.” Dr. Ellison said, “Very few brands have sustained OVO’s level of credibility and consistency across both creative and commercial dimensions. It is extraordinary, and it’s exactly the profile we seek in our investments.”
Collaborations and Canadian cultural impact
OVO’s cultural capital is reinforced by a long list of collaborations that bridge fashion, sport, and entertainment. The brand has worked with Nike (Jordan Brand), Timberland, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, Fanatics, Disney, Warner Bros. (Looney Tunes), and The Simpsons, among others, cementing its presence across multiple fandoms and categories.
In Canada, OVO’s influence is especially visible through its partnership with the Toronto Raptors, which led to the renaming of the team’s practice facility as the OVO Athletic Centre and the launch of the Welcome Toronto initiative, donating millions to refurbish community basketball courts across Toronto and to support Canada Basketball. Additional collaborations with the Toronto Blue Jays, Canadian Football League (CFL), Canada Skateboard, Canada Goose, Roots, Wayne Gretzky, William Nylander, and Georges St‑Pierre further anchor OVO in Canadian culture while amplifying its global appeal.
Recent partnerships with PlayStation, Chelsea Football Club, Red Bull Racing, Callaway, and Vessel Golf Bags signal OVO’s push into performance, sport, and lifestyle segments beyond traditional streetwear. Within global streetwear, the brand is often compared to Supreme, KITH, Stüssy, Off‑White, Human Made, and BAPE—labels known for blending exclusivity, artistry, and cultural relevance.
A.R.I., Zack Ellison, and Canadian ties
Applied Real Intelligence specializes in growth capital for innovation‑driven companies across sector,s including AI, software, technology, clean energy, consumer brands, sports, media, and entertainment, with a “safety‑first” investment approach focused on efficient, disciplined scaling. Its Founder and Managing General Partner Dr. Zack Ellison brings over 20 years of cross‑border credit and investment experience, with past roles at Thomson Reuters, Scotiabank, Deutsche Bank, and Sun Life Financial, and degrees including an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Risk Management from NYU Stern, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Reflecting on his own experience with Canadian institutions, Dr. Ellison said, “I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the professionalism, creativity, and integrity that define Canadian business culture. I’ve come to feel like an honorary Canadian.” Supporting OVO, he added, is “deeply gratifying” as the brand continues to elevate Canadian excellence on the global stage.
