We’re pleased to have supported BGF – the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor – in investing £20 million into sports technology business, Urban Zoo.
Founded in 2013, Warrington-based Urban Zoo provides digital platforms for sports brands, clubs and federations – across mobile, web, streaming, e-commerce, and retail – to drive fan engagement and strengthen revenue streams.
BGF’s investment will support the development of Urban Zoo’s proprietary technology, while enabling the company to capitalise on its significant growth potential across international markets, particularly in North America.
Since its launch, the company has disrupted the highly competitive global digital sports market through Gamechanger® – a solution developed in collaboration with global sports leaders and organisations to streamline content workflows, drive ROI, and deliver feature and data-rich websites and apps.
The technology has enabled Urban Zoo to win a significant share of the UK market, working with more than 60 professional clubs across all tiers of the English and Scottish Football Leagues, including Aston Villa, Everton and Celtic, as well as the Professional Darts Corporation, Motocross GP, and the Rugby Football League.
Our national Private Equity practice led a multi-disciplinary team covering Employment, Tax and Banking as to support BGF through the transaction.
Wiispa acted as warranty and indemnity insurance broker on the transaction.
Urban Zoo has established an impressive position in the sports technology market and this £20 million investment provides a platform for the business to scale internationally. The transaction also demonstrates the value of a truly multi-disciplinary approach, with colleagues across our Private Equity, Banking, Tax and Employment teams working closely together to support BGF in delivering this significant growth capital investment.Hannah Summers
Legal Director at Hill Dickinson
Rhys Davenport, Investor at BGF in the North West, said: “We’ve developed a close working relationship with Urban Zoo over the last five years, seeing them go from strength to strength. That relationship has helped to underpin a flexible deal, centering on value creation and long-term, patient growth capital.
“The company’s proven traction in the UK market creates a strong foundation for a significant scaling opportunity, with global potential and the ability to position itself at the forefront of the digital sports market.”
Hannah Summers, Legal Director at Hill Dickinson, said: “Urban Zoo has established an impressive position in the sports technology market and this £20 million investment provides a platform for the business to scale internationally. The transaction also demonstrates the value of a truly multi-disciplinary approach, with colleagues across our Private Equity, Banking, Tax and Employment teams working closely together to support BGF in delivering this significant growth capital investment.”
Our deal team
Private Equity – David Mkhitarian, Hannah Summers, Michael Truman, Kieran Shields and Christos Ntetsikas
Employment – Padma Tadi-Booth and Rubena Rahman
Tax – Stephen Betts
Banking – Alasdair Mackinnon and Jessica Hartland