Jobe Bellingham has led a $10m fundraising round at Premier League-backed technology firm Rezzil. The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder joins the round alongside putting coach Phil Kenyon, who has collaborated with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Strategic partnership with the Bellingham family
Rezzil said that "Jobe's investment forms part of a broader strategic partnership with the Bellingham family, under which Rezzil will deliver technology supporting future digital initiatives".
The company, which initially made its name pioneering virtual reality in professional football, is now venturing into insight actioning known as "movement intelligence".
Expansion and new offices
As part of the fundraise, the Manchester firm has opened a London office, in addition to one in Chicago as part of a transatlantic expansion. The business is set to double its headcount to approximately 100 members of staff as part of the move, as reported by City AM.
"This investment gives us the opportunity to scale that vision globally, working with the world's leading teams, broadcasters, athletes and rights holders to unlock the next generation of sport," Rezzil's Sion Colley said.
Investor base and leadership changes
Bellingham and Kenyon join an existing investor base that includes the Premier League, Tennis Australia's AO Startups and NBA Launchpad, with Simba Investments also on board. Footballers Thierry Henry, Gary Neville, Vincent Kompany, Michail Antonio and Tyrone Mings, alongside rugby player Anthony Watson, are also among the investors.
"We're taking the next step by establishing Movement Intelligence as a category in its own right," Colley added.
"Sport has always understood the value of insights in movement. Our ambition is to help the industry understand it in entirely new ways, creating technologies, products and experiences that weren't previously possible."
As part of the move, the company has restructured its senior leadership team, with former NBA executive Jake Loos appointed to spearhead the expansion into North America.
