Team17, a games developer and publisher best known for the popular Worms franchise, has secured a GBP16.5 million investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC to fund its expansion.
With a 25-year heritage in developing games, retailing and publishing, Team17 creates and sells a range of titles worldwide through major digital distributors such as Sony, Microsoft, Steam, Apple and Google.
The business also works closely with third party developers to help bring their products to market, such as the highly-anticipated Yooka-Laylee game from Playtonic.
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Wakefield and Nottingham, Team17 is led by CEO and founder Debbie Bestwick MBE and finance director Paul Bray. Bestwick and Bray have driven significant growth across the company in recent years with revenues growing by more than 50 per cent to GBP10.3 million in 2015.
The deal will enable Team17 to expand its existing games portfolio through a number of planned new releases, develop its publication model, and support its growth overseas.
As part of the transaction, Team17 has also acquired Mouldy Toof Studios, the developer behind the popular prison break game, The Escapists.
The acquisition marks the continued diversification of company’s games portfolio and demonstrates its commitment to drive further growth through product partnerships and strategic acquisitions.
Growth across the industry continues to be driven by developments in technology, the release of new consoles and increased consumer demand, with the global digital gaming industry now estimated to be worth USD50 billion.
The transaction was led by John Garner, Dale Alderson and Dan Smith at LDC in Leeds. Garner and Alderson will join the board as non-executive directors.
Bestwick says: “In LDC we have a partner that not only shares our vision, but also understands the importance of people to our business model. People are the foundation of the gaming industry and as both a developer and a publisher, it’s incredibly important that we continue to nurture new talent and fully support our partners, helping to grow sustainable studios and create successful IP.
“With LDC’s investment and support, we’re now in an even stronger position to continue our growth strategy. The team’s experience of supporting businesses that work overseas means they’re well-placed to help us continue bringing the best games to the global market, and with a number of launches in the pipeline we’re set for a busy few months. This is an exciting time for Team17, and I’m looking forward to working together with LDC as we take our business to the next level.”
Garner adds: “Team17 exemplifies the best of the UK gaming industry, and its unique business model and continued focus on innovative product development has seen Debbie and her management team build an extremely successful company. We are delighted to support the business during its next stage of growth and development.”
