The Running Channel, the YouTube channel and content brand for a global audience of runners, has raised over £1 million in a private investment fundraise. The funds will be used to help capitalise on international growth opportunities for the channel.
Co-founded by communications CEO Adam Tranter, of Fusion Media, and Olympic 1500m finalist Andy Baddeley, The Running Channel provides a digital home for the world’s runners. It aims to create ‘engaging, educational, entertaining and relatable new videos each week.’
The channel has grown organically to 175,000 subscribers and over 1 million monthly YouTube views since its launch last year.
A release from the channel noted..
‘The unprecedented global situation has led to more people running than ever before, with a 62% increase in the number of people around the world heading out for a weekly run during the pandemic (ASICS Runkeeper). The channel’s subscribers have more than doubled since March, rising from 80,000 pre-lockdown to 175,000 today.
‘The Running Channel is well placed to engage new and existing runners via the fast-growing medium of video content – providing them with a trusted source of information as well as entertaining content and access to a worldwide community of like-minded people.’
The Running Channel’s primary platform, YouTube, is the world’s second-largest search engine and third most visited site after Google and Facebook.
The investment round was led by Non-Executive Chairman of The Running Channel, Mark Whitehead. He said that the share issue was… “Substantially oversubscribed, attracting a phenomenal cohort of investors from the City, media, sports and other sectors, which speaks volumes about the potential of the business.”
Adam Tranter, co-founder of The Running Channel, said “We’ve been blown away by the support from the global running community and are really proud of where we’ve got to through organic growth so far. With such emphatic investor support, the brand can reach its global potential and continue to develop as the home of the world’s runners.”
Andy Baddeley, co-founder and CEO of The Running Channel, said “We’ve experienced fantastic growth and really positive community feedback since our launch last year and I’m excited to continue building the Running Channel and strengthening our team.
“Already, a third of our audience is in the USA, and we’re watched in 120 countries worldwide. With investment secured, we can now capitalise on this growth and continue to create the highest quality content and deliver value to our amazing and supportive audience as well as carefully chosen brands and partners.”
