Pitchbooking have announced the results of their latest investment round, securing £250,000 in funding that it believes will help it become the leader in the sports facility management market.
Based between Edinburgh and Belfast, the startup has developed a platform that assists the public with gaining access to sports facilities and streamlining operations for owners in the industry. Founded by life-long friends Fearghal Campbell, Chris McCann and Shea O’Hagan, Pitchbooking has already facilitated over 15,000 sport sessions for members of the public. Read more about Pitchbooking’s journey to startup success in our interview with Shea O’Hagan.
The investment round was led by local investment firm Aurient Ltd and backed by Techstart Ventures and Co-Fund NI, managed by Clarendon Fund Managers. The round was completed by private investors across the UK and New York. This new capital will support the growth of Pitchbooking throughout the UK and across the world.
CEO of Pitchbooking, Shea O’Hagan said: “Before Pitchbooking, finding a place to play meant the time and frustration of hopeful phone calls, booking slips and outdated payment methods.”
Now, Pitchbooking allows players to search through thousands of available facilities within a matter of minutes, and booking can be completed with ease. Those who manage sports facilities are able to promote their services with the ease of a fully automated platform, which helps encourage use of facilities. The ease of Pitchbooking not only drives revenue for facility owners, but it also encourages people to get active.
Aurient Ltd partners Anthony Kieran and Cecil Hetherington will be joining the board of Pitchbooking. Cecil, who becomes Chairman, said: “Pitchbooking offers an elegant web-based solution to two common problems – fragmented information in terms of being able to see what facilities are available in your local area, and friction in the process of booking and payment leading to a market which functions very inefficiently.
“The Pitchbooking management team are 100% focussed and dedicated to creating a better experience for both users and providers of sports facilities, and they are dynamic and innovative in their approach. This is exactly the sort of company that we like to support.”
Pitchbooking launched last year with Oxford City Council as its first major customer. A recent partnership with Goals has resulted in Pitchbooking offering services in over 50 locations across the UK.
