Sports analytics and technology company, Kitman Labs, has taken a three-year lease on a premium suite in Department Bonded Warehouse, part of Manchester’s tech, digital and creative hub, Enterprise City, after raising $52million in a Series C funding round.
Since 2012, Kitman has secured $82million in outside funding and plans to use the most recent round of proceeds to invest in its technology and hire 100 more employees to add to the existing 125 within the next 10 months, including its growing Manchester team.
The company’s new base in Department Bonded Warehouse will be central in the ongoing recruitment drive, creating more tech jobs in Manchester and feeding into the region’s wider tech ecosystem.
Department Bonded Warehouse will offer Kitman Labs’ employees access to a varied inventory of workspace, wellness and social amenities all on-site, including: premium meeting and event spaces, Condition gym, Dept Coffee shop, Department Store bar & lounge, Halcyon gin bar and breakout areas.
Dublin-headquartered Kitman was formed nine years ago and has developed an artificial intelligence platform that analyses data that teams collect during practice, games, sleep and rest, and other situations. This data can then be used to predict injury risk in players, form practice and game plans and evaluate talent and what makes players perform at their peak level.
Currently, teams collect 2.5million data points per athlete per year, but the company expects to see that rise to 200million by 2025.
Anthony Powell, Managing Director of Department, said: “We’re delighted to have Kitman Labs join Department Bonded Warehouse’s community and facilitate their expansion into Manchester. As we are based within Enterprise City, Manchester’s tech district, it’s the perfect fit for Kitman Labs which can connect with like-minded pioneers in its sector. We look forward to supporting their next chapter of growth and enabling their employees to experience the premium wellness and social facilities we have here at Department.”
Stephen Smith, founder of Kitman Labs, said: “Data, technology and analytics are changing all facets of modern business, and sport is no exception. Department Bonded Warehouse and Enterprise City not only have strong roots in tech, but also links to the Manchester sports scene which is of course renowned worldwide. This makes it an excellent place to establish a base as we grow and we are looking forward to the opportunities and connections that will come to the business during our time here.”
