R-GOL Expands into Sports Technology Market with Investment in sportbm

R-GOL, a leading multi-brand distributor of football merchandise in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and backed by Innova Capital, has acquired a majority stake in sportbm, a Polish software developer specializing in the management of sports clubs and academies. This strategic acquisition allows R-GOL to tap into the rapidly growing sports technology market and diversify its revenue streams through regular subscription services.

About sportbm:

• Experience and Reach: With over 8 years in the Polish market, sportbm offers intuitive tools for managing sports academies and clubs across 30 disciplines.
• Specialization: Expert in building IT systems for sports federations and developing its own SaaS platform for youth and children's sports training entities.
• Product Development: sportbm’s in-house team of developers ensures high-quality service and support, providing advanced tools to manage and automate processes such as data administration, activity organization, multi-channel communication, billing, and training process planning.

Strategic Plans:

R-GOL intends to deploy the sportbm platform across its markets, including Western Europe, following its recent acquisition of Unisport, a leading online retailer of football equipment. This collaboration aims to create an innovation hub to support the digital transformation of sports clubs and academies. The integrated approach will address players' needs comprehensively by combining R-GOL’s football products with sportbm’s platform features, such as online business cards, document circulation, and insurance services.

Future Developments:

Looking ahead, R-GOL and sportbm plan to expand their service portfolio to include medical care, mental training, nutrition, and supplementation, collaborating with external partners. Additionally, R-GOL is considering further consolidation of club software providers across Europe to strengthen its position in the sport-tech market.

Leadership Insights:

Wojciech Murawski, co-founder of sportbm, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We created the sportbm platform to address the low level of digitalization in sports. R-GOL has been our long-time partner, and we admire their bold business development. Joining forces to create a unified ecosystem for players and sports clubs signifies new directions and opportunities for expansion in the European market."

Łukasz Cyran, managing director at Innova Capital, added, "R-GOL’s passion for football and business professionalism is evident in their strategic acquisitions. Partnering with sportbm allows us to venture into the attractive SaaS software market for sports clubs and academies, opening new channels to reach key stakeholders like players, parents, and coaches."

R-GOL’s Market Position:

With over 20 years of experience, R-GOL operates in 14 Central and Eastern European countries, leading the market as a specialized distributor of football products. The acquisition of Unisport has significantly expanded its reach in Western Europe. Through strategic acquisitions and innovative digital strategies, R-GOL aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for football enthusiasts, players, and clubs, aspiring to become the world’s leading specialist in football.