Sporta gets £5m injection as it seeks UK banking license

Sporta has secured a £5m investment from the Lazaroo-Hood Group as it seeks authorisation to become the UK’s first bank dedicated to sport. The funding makes the London-based private equity firm Sporta’s largest shareholder alongside its founders, and will support the company’s efforts to build the business.

Sporta currently has no banking licence and does not offer banking services. The investment follows an earlier seed round in 2025 and a partnership announced this year with League One club Stevenage. Lazaroo-Hood Group says it expects to invest around £15m across 2025 and 2026 in ventures spanning areas including food, software, fintech and media.