The Cambridge Satchel Company, the leather goods brand and maker of the original and best satchel, today announces funding of $21 million from Index Ventures, backers of global brands and fashion retailers including ASOS, Moleskine, Net-a-Porter and Nasty Gal.

A made-in-Britain worldwide phenomenon, The Cambridge Satchel Company was created in a bustling family kitchen on a budget of just 600 pounds by mother-of-two Julie Deane, with her own mother Freda Thomas. Determined to source best-quality leather for her satchels from the outset, Deane turned to a traditional UK craftsman to produce her first samples.

The brand's lovingly-handmade satchels and leather goods quickly won fans around the world and across the generations, as well as approving write-ups from early adopter fashion-bloggers. Soon the company's satchels had become a celebrity 'must-have', appealing to catwalk and playground alike.

Today The Cambridge Satchel Company has over 100 employees and sells to more than 100 countries. Its bags were chosen by director Matt Weiner for cast-members of Mad Men -- the hit U.S. TV show famed for its sartorial style -- as the Season 5 wrap-party gifts.

Deane, who still oversees almost every aspect of the business (during the recent Christmas rush, she was personally embossing satchels), plans to use the investment to further strengthen her management team and recruit specialist digital talent to boost the company's profile as an internationally-recognised online brand.

The company's partnership with Index will also enable Deane - who last year became the first woman to win the RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award and is a champion of UK manufacturing -- to develop The Cambridge Satchel Company's global presence, pushing into new markets including China, and more deeply into existing ones such as the U.S., while retaining the brand's hallmark of artisan authenticity.

With new product ranges in the pipeline, the workforce at The Cambridge Satchel Company's Leicestershire, UK, manufacturing-base will grow and its apprenticeship scheme will also be expanded, thereby preserving British crafts-skills that would otherwise be lost.

'Digital is at the heart of everything we do, which is why we are so excited to be entering into this partnership with Index, who have no equals in the digital arena,' said Deane.

'Their work with inspirational companies like Moleskine, ASOS, Net-a-Porter and Nasty Gal, shows why they are the best-placed investors by far to help us navigate this fast-moving and ever-changing space, as we take The Cambridge Satchel Company into new markets and expand our global digital presence.'

Giuseppe Zocco, co-founder and partner at Index Ventures, added: 'The continuing rise of The Cambridge Satchel Company is one of Europe's most exciting entrepreneurial stories. With vision and determination, Julie turned a boot-strapped company, born without resources or support, into one that is so fearlessly taking on the world.

'At Index, we have no doubt that she has the ambition to continue to develop The Cambridge Satchel Company as a world-renowned brand. We are delighted that she has chosen us to help support her in that exciting mission,' he said.