Skiddle takes first outside capital in 25 years, backed by Soho Square
What's the deal? UK ticketing platform SkiddleDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has taken a growth investment from Soho Square CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, its first external funding since it was founded in 2001. Soho Square takes a minority equity stake while co-founders Ben Sebborn and Richard Dyer keep control and stay in their leadership roles. It is the second deal from Soho Square Partnership Capital Fund II.
What's the endgame? The capital will fund Skiddle's push beyond its base in music, festivals, and nightlife, with lifestyle events an immediate focus. European expansion sits in the medium-term plan, backed by Soho Square's network of businesses that have scaled across the continent.
The numbers: Skiddle generated £178 million in face-value ticket sales across 180,000 events in 2025, with a 98% promoter retention rate. Revenue has grown by an average of more than 20% a year over the past two years.
Why now? Preston-based Skiddle began as a "What's On" guide in 2001 and started selling tickets in 2006. "Taking investment for the first time was a big decision," the co-founders said, citing the need for a partner who understood the firm's independence. Director Joe Tebbutt joins the board for Soho Square.
The signal: The deal lands in a cooler market — UK event-tech investment fell from a £111m peak in 2021 to £15.3m in 2025, per BeauhurstDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Growth capital for a profitable, founder-led ticketing business stands out where broad sector funding has slowed.
Read more: businesswire.com
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