Pelly Scores Pre-Seed Funding for AI-Powered Sports Platform
Deal News | Jan 15, 2025 | Business Cloud

Pelly, a sports talent management platform based in Anglesey, has secured £355,000 in pre-seed funding. The investment was spearheaded by lead investor Robert Williams alongside the Development Bank of Wales and M-SParcs Angel Network, which introduced a syndicate of 10 angel investors. Pelly's platform leverages AI to facilitate data-driven decision-making for sports organizations by integrating multiple data sources into actionable insights. Co-founded by Iwan Pritchard, Stephen Hickingbotham, and Tomos Owen, all under the age of 25, Pelly aims to maintain a competitive edge in the sports industry. This funding represents the first major investment for the M-SParcs Angel Network, signifying a strong vote of confidence in the young co-founders and their innovative technology.
Sectors
- Sports Technology
- Venture Capital
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article is focused on a company based in Anglesey, Wales, and involves local investors from North Wales.
- Wales – Pelly, the target company, is based in Anglesey, and the investment involves local entities such as the Development Bank of Wales and M-SParcs Angel Network.
Industry
- Sports Technology – The article focuses on Pelly, a sports technology platform that leverages AI to improve talent management in sports organizations.
- Venture Capital – The article details a pre-seed investment round led by angel investors and backed by the Development Bank of Wales, highlighting venture capital activity.
Financials
- 355,000 – The total pre-seed investment raised by Pelly.
- 124,500 – The amount contributed by a syndicate of 10 angel investors, led by Robert Williams.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Pelly | Target Company | Company | A talent management sports platform using AI for data integration and decision-making. |
Development Bank of Wales | Investor | Company | A financial institution that invests in businesses in Wales, providing matched funding for Pelly. |
M-SParcs Angel Network | Investor | Company | An angel network focused on supporting start-ups in North Wales, contributing significantly to Pelly's funding. |
Robert Williams | Lead Investor | Person | The lead investor who organized a syndicate of angel investors to fund Pelly. |
Iwan Pritchard | Co-Founder | Person | One of the co-founders of Pelly, contributing to its leadership and development. |
Stephen Hickingbotham | Co-Founder | Person | One of the co-founders of Pelly, contributing to its leadership and development. |
Tomos Owen | Co-Founder | Person | One of the co-founders of Pelly, contributing to its leadership and development. |