A women's football kit retailer inspired by US legend Julie Foudy has secured almost £300,000 through its latest funding round.
Manchester-based Foudys has received £290,000 in a bridge funding round which will be used to increase its product range via its partnerships with Nike, Adidas and Puma as well as expand its creative arm.
The business was founded in December 2020 by chief executive Helen Hardy while a minority stake was taken by Fearless Adventures at the start of 2023.
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Fearless Adventures is the investment group co-founded by Dominic McGregor who helped set up Social Chain with Steven Bartlett.
Julie Foudy, a two-time Women's World Cup winner with the US, also holds a small stake in the company.
Through its online store, Foudys sells replica kits and fan apparel for the Women’s World Cup, Women's Super League, International and Champions League, as well as offering bespoke kit design for grassroots football teams.
Helen Hardy said: "I’ve been delighted with the support shown on the investment round with industry veterans joining the journey and backing the team's goal of creating the destination for women’s football. In the past 12 months, we've more than doubled in size and are on track to deliver a 300% growth in revenue this year.
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"As well as onboarding all the major brands, we’ve pushed for the creation of official lettering and numbering to fit children’s kits which are now readily available, crucial to engaging the next generation of fans aiming to follow in the footsteps of their idols.
"This funding round will allow us to continue our growth trajectory, build out our stock range across International, WSL and NWSL licensed apparel and expand into new territories."
A bridge round is a type of funding that is used to extend the runway of a start-up until it can raise the next round of venture capital investment.
Oli Connolly, investment director at Fearless Adventures, added: "Helen and the team at Foudys are an excellent example of backing people who have the passion and sector knowledge to push a market forward and not be content with the industry 'norm'.
"This over-subscribed funding round will allow the team to expand even further and execute the opportunities seen as the momentum within the women’s game continues to gather pace."