Tyneside underwear brand OddBalls is set for expansion after securing backing from Alcuin, a London-based investment group. The company, known for its brightly colored boxers and briefs, was founded in 2014 by former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper, ex-Newcastle Falcons rugby player Richard Metcalfe, and former Falcons CEO Paul Varley. The trio initially launched the brand to raise funds for men’s cancer charities, donating a percentage from every pair of pants sold to testicular cancer charities. They have since left the original business, Oddballs Apparel Ltd.
Charity Partnerships and Milestones
OddBalls now collaborates with organizations such as The OddBalls Foundation, Movember, Prostate UK, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and Alzheimer’s Research UK, with a portion of sales from those collections donated to charity. Last year, the company announced it had donated over £1 million to charities since its launch.
Product Range Expansion
Over the years, OddBalls has expanded its product line to include underwear for men, women, and children, as well as socks, pajamas, and accessories like swimming briefs, towels, cups, and hats.
Alcuin Partnership
The partnership with Alcuin Capital Partners will support OddBalls’ continued expansion and long-term success. Alcuin highlighted the brand’s rapid growth as a digitally-enabled leader in underwear, pajamas, and socks, expressing excitement to support international growth and further product expansion.
Will Cooper, CEO of OddBalls, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what OddBalls has achieved so far, and Alcuin’s investment marks an exciting next step for the business. It was hugely important for us to find a partner who understood the strength of the brand, the loyalty of our customers, and the opportunity ahead of us. With Alcuin’s support, we’re looking forward to accelerating our international growth and expanding our product range, while continuing to build the business in a way that stays true to what makes OddBalls special.”
Tim Wheeler, investment director at Alcuin Capital Partners, added: “The quality of the brand, strong growth momentum, and data-driven approach at OddBalls made a powerful impression from our first meeting. We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with the highly impressive team as the business continues to scale.”
