Growthfunders, the North of England’s first online equity crowdfunding platform, is helping the team behind an indoor soccer-led mixed leisure facility to raise investment funds. The Soccer Factory is aiming to raise £500,000 to develop top class facilities in currently under-served areas. A first site, to include seven 3G astroturf courts on Aycliffe Business Park is already secured, with planning permission.
The Aycliffe facility will also have a health and fitness suite, two multi-purpose studios, a café/bar, sports injury clinic and conferencing facilities.
The Soccer Factory was founded by Dan Lewis who, for ten years, was Deputy Director of Sport at Durham University, a role which included management of sports facilities across 15 locations. Dan and his team are advised by David Pope, who spent 12 years with Brewin Dolphin’s corporate broking department, during which time he specialised in leisure and media and worked closely with another successful chain of football facilities.
The investment being sought will add £20,000 of personal funds. Growthfunders has been launched to match ambitious entrepreneurs with great business ideas to a range of investors to create and grow exciting businesses. Growthfunders also opens up access to this exciting asset class to a wider audience of suitably-qualified online angels, or the eponymous “crowd”, who can experience investing alongside more experienced investors.
Craig Peterson, Director of Growth Capital Ventures, the firm behind GrowthFunders, said: “The Soccer Factory team are making great progress towards launching their first facility and their listing on GrowthFunders is an opportunity to open their business to a wide range of investors. Crowdfunding is a great way to get behind businesses with growth potential at an early stage and to drive growth and jobs in the economy.”
Co-director, Norman Peterson added: We want to help entrepreneurs attract capital to grow from a range of investors and create the next wave of Great British Businesses.”
Dan Lewis said: “We turned to GrowthFunders for three intricately linked reasons. The first is because crowdfunding opens us up to a much broader cross section of investors. Second, we are aiming to open a range of facilities for use by the general public, so why not give them a chance to invest in The Soccer Factory, which will not only make them stronger advocates for the business, but give them a chance to get something back as we grow. Finally, because of the support that the GrowthFunders team have provided to help me get The Soccer Factory ready to attract investment to grow. The support and introductions I’ve received have been invaluable.”
Launched by North East and Yorkshire-based entrepreneurs, Craig and Norman Peterson, GrowthFunders has a wealth of experience.
They have supported entrepreneurs, helping to raise capital, acting as mentors and providing strategic advice to a range of high growth businesses. The co-founders have recently completed qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments as part of their continuous professional development. For more information, or to register, visit www.growthfunders.com.
Dan Lewis (left) with Craig Peterson
