Sport is big business both in the UK and internationally. In fact, latest research from Morgan Stanley estimates global sales attributed to companies operating in the sports industry to have hit $521b in 2024.

In the UK, the sports industry is a major employer, with over half a million employees registered to UK-based sports companies. Sports businesses also contribute £28.0b annually to the UK economy in gross value added (GVA).

Female-founded sports companies at a glance

There are approximately 324 female founders of UK-based, sports-focused companies - with the top 10 founders’ estimated shareholdings exceeding £80m in total.

Sports businesses with female founders have also raised a total of £433m, with almost half of that (£214m) invested since 2020. Based on these companies’ latest financials, our analysis finds that sports companies with a female founder contribute over £250m to the UK economy each year.

There are further signs of market growth potential with these increased audiences. England in particular enjoyed consecutively successful summers, with the Lionesses securing back-to-back European Championships in 2024, whilst 2025 saw the Red Roses winning the Rugby World Cup.

And with success comes increased investment, so 2026 could be a big year commercially for female-founded sport businesses in the UK.

Five female founders of sports companies

1. Grace Beverley

Company: TALA (Founder)
Industry: Activewear

Founder of Tala, Grace Beverley is a serial entrepreneur and influencer. Prior to her entrepreneurial ventures, she was known for her social media content as GraceFITUK, before launching TALA — a sportswear brand focused on producing ethically manufactured goods, set in contrast to fast fashion.

Since then, Beverley has gone on to found and invest in a number of other companies, both in sports and productivity.

2. Naomi McGregor

Company: Movetru (Founder)
Industry: Wearables and performance tracking

Founder Naomi McGregor, who was named in the most recent edition of Forbes 30 Under 30, launched Movetru following a career-ending ballet injury.

The business develops a software application and performance tracker designed for fitness rehabilitation and workout content — all built to reduce the risk of sporting injuries.

The company works with sports teams, including Belfast Giants, and a number of UK-based universities. With two fundraisings totalling £1.36m, and sixteen innovation grants worth £794k to support the development of its wearables, Movetru was also named as our MVP of Northern Ireland’s activetech companies.

3. Alison Akinrinlola

Company: Birmingham Panthers (Founder)
Industry: Professional netball team

Alison Akinrinlola is a long-time netball coach for North London-based AP Saints Netball Club — and founder of Birmingham Panthers and Netball Aid, a celebrity-featured charity series similar to Soccer Aid.

In 2024, Akinrinlola formally founded Birmingham Panthers. In order to get the business off the ground, Birmingham Panthers raised £2.50m in February 2025 — and only a couple of months later, the Panthers played their first game in the UK’s Netball Super League (NSL).

Investors include Knighthead Capital Management, which is also a major investor in football team Birmingham City.

4. Kasia Bromley

Company: ACAI Outdoorwear (Co-founder)
Industry: Activewear

ACAI Outdoorwear is an activewear company co-founded by entrepreneur Kasia Bromley with her husband. A student at Edinburgh College of Art, Bromley found that existing ‘adventure’ clothing failed to accommodate inclusive sizing, with many women having to choose between either fashion or function.

Since its incorporation in 2016, ACAI Outerwear has raised three rounds of fundraising worth £3.85m, with the company featuring on the FEBE Growth 100 and Wales Fast Growth 50 high-growth lists in 2023.

5. Inci Mehmet

Company: Gimme (Co-founder)
Industry: Golf equipment retailer

Inci Mehmet is an ex-professional golfer and sports pundit-turned-entrepreneur. Previously playing at a high level on the Ladies European Tour, and working with the Wentworth Foundation to support junior golf development, Mehmet has also covered the PGA, DP World Tour, and LPGA on Sky Sports Golf.

In January 2025, Mehmet co-founded Gimme — an online marketplace for buying and selling golf equipment, from golf clubs through to footwear and course accessories. In September 2025, the company completed its first equity fundraising of £115k, giving the business a post-money valuation of £3.51m.

Advice from GS Verde Group

At GS Verde Group, our team of corporate finance, legal, tax, accountancy, and communications work together under one roof to provide streamlined, end-to-end services for our clients without any delays to help them achieve successful outcomes.

We have supported businesses across a wide range of sectors in achieving real results for long-term growth, including the sports and fitness sector.

See our sports sector related deal:

B Fit Group acquires Hunt Fitness

To explore more about female founders of sports companies in the UK, visit: Female Founders of Sports Companies