Ace High Sports, an early-stage video game studio based in Bournemouth, has secured £300,000 in equity funding from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group.
The investment is part of a £0.6 million funding round that also includes private investors, alongside additional grant funding from the UK Games Content Fund.
The company’s first title, Touchdown Poker, is scheduled for release in 2026. Fusing the mechanics of Texas Hold’em with the excitement of American football, the game gives players a dynamic experience that sees them bluff and blitz their way to a winning score.
“This investment is a major step forward for Ace High Sports. With support from the South West Investment Fund, FSE, and our other investors, we can scale the business, grow our team, and bring Touchdown Poker to life across multiple platforms.
Our goal is to create games that feel instantly familiar yet completely fresh, and this funding allows us to make that happen. Touchdown Poker is just the beginning of a portfolio that will redefine how audiences engage with sports and traditional card games.”
Mike Hawkyard, Ace High Sports CEO and Co-founder
“Ace High Sports demonstrates the qualities we look for in a growth business: experienced leadership, innovative product design, and a scalable commercial model.
With strong advisory support, scalable plans, and validation from the UK Games Content Fund, the company is well-positioned to capitalise on growth in the creative industries, and we are excited to be working with them as they grow.”
Matt Browning, Investment Manager at The FSE Group
“The creative industries, including games development, is an important growth sector in the South West, and Ace High Sports is a good example of the innovative, high-potential businesses the South West Investment Fund was set up to support.
Our investment will help Ace High Sports accelerate development while supporting skilled job creation here in the region. We’re delighted to back their ambition and look forward to seeing the company scale and succeed.”
Paul Jones from the British Business Bank
The global video games market is forecast to generate around $600 billion in annual revenue by 2030, with sports titles and card games expected to deliver strong, sustained growth. By creating sports‑themed card-based games for PC and mobile, Ace High Sports is well-positioned to meet evolving player demand for fresh twists on familiar experiences.
The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunities for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m, and equity investment up to £5 million.
The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.
