Radical Forge Expands with £2.6m NPIF II Fundraise

Radical Forge, a Middlesbrough-based games studio, has successfully raised £2.6 million from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), facilitated through Mercia Equity Finance managed by Mercia Ventures. This new funding aims to support the company's ongoing growth initiatives, including the creation of 15 new jobs and the capacity to secure larger contracts. Additionally, it facilitates the upcoming launch of their standalone game 'Southfield' early next year. Founded in 2017 by Teesside University graduates Bruce Slater and Freddie Babord, the studio has built a reputation for working with leading names in the gaming industry, contributing to renowned titles such as 'Gang Beasts' and 'Sea of Thieves'. Alongside collaborative projects, Radical Forge ventured into publishing with its award-winning game 'Bright Paw' and is continuing this trend with 'Southfield', a fantasy farming game. This funding is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on industry trends, where large gaming companies are downsizing, allowing Radical Forge to attract top-tier talent and pursue more complex projects. Mercia Ventures highlights the studio's vibrant culture as a key factor to its success, while fundraising advice was provided by Cerelo Advisory. Radical Forge follows in the footsteps of another Middlesbrough studio, SockMonkey Studios, which previously received similar funding and was later acquired by Behaviour Interactive.