Sport is a significant and rapidly evolving commercial sector, both in the UK and globally. Recent Morgan Stanley research estimates that global revenues generated by sports-related businesses reached $521bn in 2024, underlining the scale, resilience and long-term growth potential of the industry.

Within the UK, sport represents a substantial economic contributor and employer. More than half a million people are employed by UK-based sports companies, with the sector generating approximately £28.0bn in gross value added (GVA) each year. As professional sport, technology and consumer engagement continue to converge, the sector is attracting increasing levels of strategic and investment interest.

At the same time, female-founded sports businesses are playing an increasingly visible role in shaping the industry’s future.

Female-Founded Sports Market Snapshot

There are an estimated 324 female founders of UK-based sports-focused companies, with the top ten founders holding combined shareholdings valued at more than £80m.

Collectively, sports businesses with female founders have raised £433m to date, with nearly half of that capital (£214m) invested since 2020. Based on their most recent financial filings, these companies contribute in excess of £250m annually to the UK economy.

Growth in participation and audience engagement is further strengthening the commercial outlook. England has experienced consecutive landmark sporting summers, with the Lionesses securing back-to-back European Championship titles in 2024, followed by the Red Roses’ Rugby World Cup victory in 2025. Increased visibility and fan engagement continue to translate into sponsorship, media and investment opportunities across the wider sports ecosystem.

As performance drives profile and profile drives capital, 2026 is expected to represent a particularly strong year for commercial growth and investment activity within female-founded sports businesses.

Five Female Founders Driving UK Sports Innovation

1. Grace Beverley
Company: TALA (Founder)
Sector: Activewear
Grace Beverley is the founder of TALA, an ethically focused activewear brand positioned as an alternative to fast fashion. Initially building a following through fitness and wellbeing content, Beverley leveraged this platform to launch a digitally native consumer brand with sustainability at its core.

Beyond TALA, she has gone on to found and invest in multiple businesses across fitness, media and productivity, establishing herself as a serial entrepreneur within the consumer and sports-adjacent sectors.

2. Naomi McGregor
Company: Movetru (Founder)
Sector: Wearables and Performance Technology
Named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Naomi McGregor founded Movetru following a career-ending ballet injury. The company develops performance tracking technology and software designed to support rehabilitation, training optimisation and injury prevention.

Movetru works with professional sports teams, including the Belfast Giants, alongside several UK universities. The business has completed two fundraising rounds totalling £1.36m and secured sixteen innovation grants worth £794k to support product development, earning recognition as a leading activetech business in Northern Ireland.

3. Alison Akinrinlola
Company: Birmingham Panthers (Founder)
Sector: Professional Sport – Netball
Alison Akinrinlola is a longstanding netball coach and the founder of Birmingham Panthers, alongside Netball Aid, a high-profile charity sporting initiative. In 2024, she formally launched Birmingham Panthers as a professional netball franchise.

To support market entry and league participation, the business raised £2.50m in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the Panthers played their inaugural match in the UK’s Netball Super League. The investor base includes Knighthead Capital Management, also a major shareholder in Birmingham City Football Club.

4. Kasia Bromley
Company: ACAI Outdoorwear (Co-founder)
Sector: Activewear
ACAI Outdoorwear was co-founded by Kasia Bromley to address a clear gap in the outdoor and adventure clothing market, where inclusive sizing and functional design were often lacking. Drawing on her background at Edinburgh College of Art, Bromley helped position the brand at the intersection of performance and design.
Since incorporation in 2016, ACAI Outdoorwear has raised £3.85m across three funding rounds and was recognised on both the FEBE Growth 100 and Wales Fast Growth 50 lists in 2023.

5. Inci Mehmet
Company: Gimme (Co-founder)
Sector: Sports Retail - Golf
Former professional golfer and sports broadcaster Inci Mehmet co-founded Gimme, an online marketplace for buying and selling golf equipment. Drawing on experience from the Ladies European Tour and extensive media coverage of global golf events, Mehmet identified an opportunity to modernise golf equipment retail.
Founded in January 2025, Gimme completed its first equity fundraising of £115k in September 2025, achieving a post-money valuation of £3.51m.

GS Verde Group: Strategic Advice for Growth

At GS Verde Group, our integrated team of corporate finance, legal, tax, accountancy and communications professionals works collaboratively under one roof to deliver seamless, end-to-end advisory services. This structure allows us to execute transactions efficiently, reduce risk and support sustainable long-term growth.
We have advised businesses across a wide range of sectors, including sport, fitness and consumer-focused brands, supporting acquisitions, fundraising and strategic expansion.

Related transaction:
B Fit Group acquires Hunt Fitness

Further insight:
Explore further analysis on female founders in UK sports businesses via Beauhurst research.