OBT Live Secures £2.5m to Bolster Global Expansion
Deal News | Jun 05, 2025 | Business Cloud
Liverpool-based OBT Live has raised £2.5 million in Series A funding to enhance and globally scale its software-enabled services. This funding round, led by NPIF II Praetura Equity Finance under the management of Praetura Ventures, values the company at over £10 million. The capital will be directed towards expanding OBT Live's UK team, investing in product development, and accelerating its market penetration across media, sport, retail, and leisure industries. OBT Live’s unique product, Engage AI, uses insights from gaming to enhance digital user engagement through real-time updates and contextual experiences. This expansion follows OBT Live's recent growth into the Middle East market with a new hub in Dubai. Co-CEOs Paul Shannon and Chris Hodgson view this investment as a validation of their business model and a step towards the company's growth ambitions. Praetura Ventures' investment director, Peter Carway, emphasizes their support for innovative tech companies in the North and OBT Live's role in advancing digital transformation.
Sectors
- Technology
- Venture Capital
- Media and Entertainment
Geography
- United Kingdom – OBT Live is based in Liverpool, UK, and the investment was led by a UK VC firm, highlighting its significant geographical relevance.
- Middle East – The article mentions OBT Live's recent expansion into the Middle East with a hub in Dubai, making it relevant to this region.
Industry
- Technology – OBT Live operates in the technology industry, offering software-enabled services and AI-driven products to enhance user engagement.
- Venture Capital – The article discusses a venture capital investment by Praetura Ventures in OBT Live, signifying its relevance in the VC industry.
- Media and Entertainment – OBT Live's services target the media, sport, retail, and leisure sectors, all of which are integral to the broader media and entertainment industry.
Financials
- £2.5 million – Amount raised in Series A funding by OBT Live.
- £10 million – The valuation of OBT Live following the latest funding round.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBT Live | Target Company | Company | A Liverpool-based company providing AI-driven engagement services. |
| NPIF II Praetura Equity Finance | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | Led the investment round as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. |
| Praetura Ventures | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | Managed the investment fund that provided funding to OBT Live. |
| Paul Shannon | Co-CEO & Founder | Person | Co-CEO of OBT Live. |
| Chris Hodgson | Co-CEO & Founder | Person | Co-CEO of OBT Live. |
| Peter Carway | Investment Director | Person | Investment director at Praetura Ventures. |