Radical Forge Secures £2.6M to Expand Team and Pursue Larger Contracts

• Middlesbrough-based studio Radical Forge has received a £2.6 million investment
• Money from Mercia Equity Finance’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will enable the creation of 15 new jobs

Mercia Equity Finance has invested £2.6 million in Radical Forge, a Middlesbrough-based company, through its Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).

Radical Forge intends to use these funds to expand its team, aiming to create 15 new jobs and take on “new and bigger contracts”. The studio also has plans to launch a chaotic physics-based farming game called Southfield in early 2025.

Forging ahead

Founded in 2017 by CEO and Creative Director Bruce Slater and CTO Freddie Babord, Radical Forge launched its debut game, Bright Paw, three years later—a fully voice-acted puzzle game available on mobile and Nintendo Switch. With a small team of around 12, the game took approximately three years to develop. Today, Radical Forge has grown to about 70 employees and, with its latest funding, plans to bring on 15 additional team members.

“We did it! We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve secured funding to help transform Radical Forge into the company we envision, bringing everyone along on the journey,” said Slater. “Mercia has proven to be a partner who not only understands the operational side of our business but also the people and culture that drive it. They share our ambitions to be a premier development partner while fostering an environment that puts people first.”

Chris McCourt, Investment Director for Mercia Ventures’ North East Venture Fund, shared his enthusiasm for Radical Forge’s growth: “Radical Forge has built a talented team and vibrant culture, which has enabled them to attract skilled developers. With larger industry players downsizing, there’s a real opportunity here for Radical Forge to attract top talent, expand its capabilities, and take on more complex projects. The NPIF II funding will fuel their expansion strategy and further support the burgeoning games industry in Middlesbrough.”