R-GOL invests in sportbm to expand its operations in the sports technology market

R-GOL, a leading distributor of multi-brand football merchandise in Central and Eastern Europe, backed by Innova Capital, has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in sportbm, a Polish developer of software for managing clubs and sports academies. This acquisition opens new opportunities for R-GOL to expand its operations in the rapidly growing sports technology market and diversify its business model with recurring subscription revenues.

sportbm has over 8 years of experience on the Polish market, offering intuitive tools for managing sports academies and clubs in 30 disciplines. The company specializes in building IT systems for sports associations and develops its own SaaS platform for entities training children and youth. As a trusted technology partner of sports organizations, sportbm expands its products internally, employing its own team of programmers, providing platform users with the highest quality of services and constant support. Constantly striving to improve the functions available in the offered system, the company already provides customers with tools for managing and automating most processes, including the administration of collected data, organization of activities, multi-channel communication, settlements or planning the training process.

R-GOL plans to introduce sportbm in all markets, including Western Europe, where it recently acquired Unisport, a leading online retailer of football equipment. Together, the companies aim to create an innovation hub that will support the development of digital products for the football ecosystem, increasing the digitalization of sports clubs and academies in the region. The collaboration will comprehensively address the needs of players, combining R-GOL football products with sportThe bm platform offers features such as online business cards, document circulation and insurance services. In the future, the companies plan to expand their portfolio of services to include medical care, mental training, nutrition and supplementation, in cooperation with external partners. R-GOL is also considering further consolidation of club software suppliers in Europe to strengthen its position in the sports technology market.

“We created sportThe bm platform as a response to the relatively low level of digitalization in the sports sector. R-GOL has been our partner for many years and we have always admired the boldness with which they develop their business with great appreciation. Joining forces and creating a common ecosystem for players and sports clubs is not only the next step in our development. It also means new directions and opportunities for expansion, and it also marks the beginning of something completely unique on the European market. We are delighted to become part of the R-GOL team and jointly develop such a unique business model, says Wojciech Murawski, co-founder of sportbm and member of the Autopay management board.

Łukasz Cyran, Managing Director of Innova Capital, adds: “The last twelve months have shown us that R-GOL is a team that combines a passion for football with great ambition and business professionalism, which is best demonstrated by this year’s second acquisition. Joining forces with sportbm will allow the Group to expand into the attractive area of ​​SaaS software for sports clubs and academies, opening an additional channel to reach key stakeholders in the football ecosystem – players, parents or coaches. We look forward to seeing the results of this promising cooperation.”

With over 20 years of experience in the market, R-GOL currently operates in 14 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, being a leader among specialist football distributors. In June, the company acquired Unisport, a leading social media football retailer in Western Europe, significantly increasing its reach and growth opportunities. Through strategic acquisitions and innovative digital strategies, R-GOL aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for football enthusiasts, players and clubs, strengthening its position in the European market and aspiring to become the leading football specialist in the world.