A.R.I. Makes Growth Capital Investment in October’s Very Own to Support Global Expansion
Dr. Zack Ellison, Founder & Managing General Partner, Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.) • Photo Credit: Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.)
LOS ANGELES & TORONTO & TAMPA, Fla., January 18, 2026 (ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEWS) — Investment firm Applied Real Intelligence has announced a growth capital investment in October’s Very Own (OVO), the lifestyle brand founded by Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Oliver El-Khatib, and Noah “40” Shebib.
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The investment is intended to support OVO’s continued global expansion across retail, e-commerce, and strategic partnerships. OVO was founded in Toronto in 2008 and has grown from a music collective into a vertically integrated lifestyle brand with flagship retail locations across Canada and internationally, including stores in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, and London.
“There is extraordinary global demand for culturally authentic brands right now and the timing couldn’t be better for OVO. Recently, Human Made, the streetwear brand partially owned by Pharrell Williams, went public at nearly $500 million and was reportedly 60 times oversubscribed. It’s a clear signal that investors see tremendous value in brands that blend creativity, community, and cultural credibility. OVO is uniquely positioned within that movement, combining global influence across fashion, music, sports, and a cultural and lifestyle presence that sets it apart,” said Dr. Zack Ellison, Founder and Managing General Partner of Applied Real Intelligence.
OVO operates a network of flagship stores across Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Calgary, and British Columbia, alongside U.S. and U.K. locations, and continues to scale its global e-commerce business. The brand is led by Chief Executive Officer Derek “Drex” Jancar, who received Billboard Canada’s 2025 Impact Award.
“OVO represents the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurship. Drake, Oliver, and 40 created something culturally unparalleled, and Drex is now scaling that vision with remarkable discipline and strategic clarity. It’s a rare combination, and one that A.R.I. is proud to support,” said Dr. Zack Ellison, Founder and Managing General Partner of Applied Real Intelligence.
The company noted that OVO’s growth places it among a broader group of celebrity-led consumer brands and is supported by collaborations spanning fashion, sports, and entertainment, including partnerships with major global brands and professional sports organizations.
“A critical part of A.R.I.’s investment process is evaluating staying power. OVO isn’t a moment; it’s a long-term movement. 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,” said Dr. Zack Ellison, Founder and Managing General Partner of Applied Real Intelligence.
For more information, visit www.arivc.com or www.octobersveryown.com.
