Bristol-based Levels Technologies, a company that has developed a data-driven rankings and community platform for racket sports, has secured a £500,000 investment to fuel its expansion into new markets, including the fast-growing sport of padel.
Investment details and backers
The funding round was led by The FSE Group, which contributed £250,000 through the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund. Additional participation came from Akira Financial, the Professional Squash Association (PSA), and the Haley Family Office.
Levels Technologies, originally launched as SquashLevels, uses data-led insights to provide more accurate player ratings, helping to match players of similar ability and improve participation and engagement. The platform is available across web and mobile, combining player performance data, dynamic rankings, and social features to allow users to track progress, compete, and connect.
Expansion plans and market opportunity
The company, which also has an office in London, will use the funding to further develop its platform, including launching new sports verticals and investing in commercial and data teams to accelerate user growth and partnerships. Having already built a strong user base in squash, the business is now expanding into other racket sports, starting with padel, which has seen a surge in popularity globally.
Co-chief executive Jethro Binns, a former professional squash player, said: “We built Levels to bring a more accurate and engaging way for people to play racket sports, starting with squash and now expanding into much larger global markets. This investment allows us to accelerate that vision, develop the platform further and grow our partnerships internationally.”
Investor confidence and future outlook
Matt Browning, investment manager at FSE, added: “Levels has developed a differentiated platform that is already demonstrating strong engagement from its user base. The team has built a product that solves a clear problem in how players are ranked and matched, and there is a significant opportunity to apply this across a range of growing racket sports. With proven traction and clear expansion plans, we believe the business is well positioned for further growth.”
The investment marks a significant milestone for the company, which aims to modernise how racket sports are played and organised. By leveraging data and technology, Levels Technologies is addressing a common challenge in recreational sports: ensuring fair and competitive matches. The platform's expansion into padel is expected to tap into a market that has experienced exponential growth in participation, particularly in Europe and the UK.
With the new funding, Levels Technologies plans to enhance its existing platform, introduce new features, and scale its user base across multiple sports. The company's strategic focus on data-driven insights and community building positions it well to become a leading player in the racket sports technology space. As the business grows, it aims to strengthen its partnerships with sports governing bodies, clubs, and players, creating a more connected and engaging experience for racket sports enthusiasts worldwide.
