A British technology start-up which helps leisure enthusiasts find and book sports venues has secured a new round of funding backed by a former director of the Premier League.

Sky News understands that Playfinder, which counts the Football Foundation among its partners, has raised a six-figure sum from investors including Kevin Beeston, who stepped down as a board member of England’s top flight earlier this year.

The company, which gained B-Corp certification because of its social impact work, helps to improve access to sport for players from deprived areas and under-represented groups.

Playfinder has registered more than 100,000 monthly users and 800 venues across the country.

It raised £1m from investors last year, as well as £735,000 on the crowdfunding platform Crowdcube.

The company was awarded a contract with the Football Foundation to provide a smart access system for its £33m PlayZones project, which involves building 300 pitches in areas of high deprivation across England.

One person close to the company said Playfinder’s work was relevant to a £58m government programme to establish new school sports facilities, which is expected to be announced shortly.

‘Look to British workers not immigrants’, Robert Jenrick tells businesses

Business frustrated by central problem of Brexit drag for economy

Staff at Newport Wafer Fab urge Shapps to ‘see sense’ over forced sale

The programme is aimed at boosting accessibility to school facilities outside of normal education hours.

Jamie Foale, Playfinder’s founder, said: “Having established Playfinder as a leading platform for sports players and invested in the technology for venues to automate their operations, we’re delighted to receive this funding which will accelerate our expansion across the country at a time when there is an urgency to increase the accessibility of sport for everyone.”

Other investors in the latest round included Armajaro Holdings and Altaris Partners.

Related posts:

Legal limit for contactless payments to increase, chancellor says ahead of budget announcement Shell chairman Mackenzie to chair state innovation agency Former child actor on cloud nine with £100m Inflexion windfall BA and Ryanair investigated for refusing refunds during lockdowns Lloyds ‘sorry’ as bank fined £91m for misleading insurance customers The pinging of the NHS app may be a bell tolling for economic recovery PM’s GREAT campaign chief quits amid frustration at Whitehall BP to offload its 19.75% stake in state-owned Russian oil giant Rosneft BP shares slide after Ukraine invasion prompts exit from Russia Online property portal Boomin’s value nears £150m with new funding  Tory peer Cruddas to toast £20m CMC Markets windfall Truss resignation sparks recovery for pound, shares and govt borrowing costs