SportsPro scores big with £750,000 growth loan

A sportswear company is accelerating growth plans with £750,000 backing. 

SportsPro, which designs and makes apparel for professional and amateur athletes, and boasts a diverse portfolio of owned and licensed brands including Hummel, secured the funding through the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland, managed by The FSE Group.

Bosses at the Edinburgh-based company, known for its partnerships with professional sports teams such as Sunderland AFC, Coventry City FC and Kilmarnock FC, say they plan to use the funding to “accelerate growth plans” by creating six new roles and expanding its digital sales channels, as well as developing new sports fashion lines, including retro-style kits for football and rugby.

Ian Russell, SportsPro executive director, said: “This loan is testament to our strong trading performance since launching just three years ago, and highlights our potential to scale operations significantly over the next 12 months.

“The funding enables us to expand our reach in the grassroots community sports market, as well as in female sportswear, and we look forward to working with The FSE Group as we grow.”

Dave Young, The FSE Group's investment manager, added: “As UK licence holder for Hummel, one of the oldest and most iconic sports brands in the world, SportsPro is well-positioned to expand its support to both professional and community sports teams across the UK in the years ahead.

“The funding will allow SportsPro to accelerate its growth plans, increase its operational capacity and further develop its range of offerings across the team and individual sportswear marketplaces.”

The Investment Fund for Scotland aims to drive economic growth by supporting innovation, creating opportunities for local businesses and increasing access to early-stage finance for firms that may struggle to secure investment.

Sarah Newbould, British Business Bank senior investment manager, nations and regions investment funds, added: “SportsPro has ambitious expansion plans.

“It is an exciting business in a sector with huge prospects, which is exactly the type of opportunity we are looking to support through the Investment Fund for Scotland.”

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