Growing tech consultancy acquires digital products firm
Global technology consultancy, hedgehog lab, has secured a £6.3m investment from growth capital investor BGF.
And as part of the multi-million pound deal, the business has revealed its acquisition of York-based digital product consultancy Netsells, in a move that will support the company’s growth plans.
Headquartered in Newcastle and with operations in the US and Bulgaria, hedgehog lab works with a wide range of global brands, including AJ Bell, Aviva, Deliveroo and Tesco Bank.
It provides businesses with mobile app and web development solutions and has grown rapidly since incorporating in 2007.
Netsells is a digital product consultancy working across web and mobile, it is ranked as one of the North’s fastest growing tech businesses.
The two companies will come together under the hedgehog lab brand and will be headed by hedgehog lab’s current CEO Sarat Pediredla alongside a new executive board that includes ex-Accenture Song managing director and Karmarama founder Ben Bilboul.
BGF’s funding will enable the group to further expand its service offering to enterprise clients and SMEs in both the UK and US.
Pediredla said: “The acquisition of Netsells is a major milestone for us as a company.
“The combination of two firms with established and renowned capabilities will enhance our offering and growth prospects massively by bringing together some of the best talent in the industry and facilitating our continued expansion into new international markets.”
The deal was led by John Healey and James Baker, investors in BGF’s Yorkshire & North East team.
Healey said: “We are happy to be supporting hedgehog lab on the next stage of its growth journey.
“The company has already established itself as a leading global digital product consultancy and the acquisition of Netsells will combine the talent and capability of two great teams, unlocking more opportunities in this exciting sector and positioning the business as a credible player of scale in the global digital marketplace.”
hedgehog lab & Netsells were advised by Cowgills (Corporate Finance & Tax) and Hill Dickinson (Legal). BGF was advised by Weightmans (Legal)
The deal provides a full exit for hedgehog lab’s previous investor, Maven.
