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Private equity firm Maven has completed a “significant” investment in discount platform Digital Rewards Group to support its international growth plans.

Altrincham-based DRG specialises in creating rewards and incentive programmes, helping to connect members with attractions and partners.It provides access to exclusive discounts and experiences through its Kids Pass platform and also runs its own dedicated digital platforms including Global Hotel Pass and DaysOut.com.

DRG says it will use the latest investment to grow its technology, data, and product offering, with a particular focus on accelerating its US growth.

The investment includes funding from Maven’s new Management Buyout Fund II. It was led by Ryan Bevington and Jeremy Thompson, partners in Maven’s Manchester office, while ThinCats provided senior debt funding alongside the Maven investment.

Gautam Sahgal, former PerkBox CEO, has joined DRG’s board as non-executive chairman, while Andrew Gunson joins as chief financial officer. They will work alongside group CEO Andrew Kilmartin and º£½ÇÊÓƵ CEO Dave Clayton.

Ryan Bevington, partner at Maven, said: “We are delighted to have completed our investment into Digital Rewards Group, a fast growing, highly scalable, technology-driven business. The company operates in a resilient market with a large addressable audience and clear international expansion potential. We’re looking forward to working in partnership with Andy, Dave and the wider team who have developed Digital Rewards Group to a market-leading position and laid excellent foundations for its future growth.”

DRG’s CEO Andrew Kilmartin added: "We are excited to have brought Maven on board for the next stage of our growth journey. We worked closely with our financial advisers to choose an investor with a common set of values and experience of helping high growth digital businesses accelerate their growth plans, particularly with our expansion internationally. We have ambitious plans for this next phase and look forward to delivering our objectives alongside the Maven team.”

Maven was advised by Grant Thornton (corporate finance & debt advisory), Gateley (legal), BDO (tax structuring), Prelude Consulting (management due diligence), Locktons (insurance due diligence). The shareholders of DRG were advised by DC Advisory (corporate finance), Hill Dickinson (legal), RSM (financial due diligence), Graph Strategy (commercial due diligence), Equator (technology due diligence). ThinCats were advised by Pinsent Masons (legal).