Ace High Sports secures £600k from the South West Investment Fund and private backers to expand its gaming portfolio
The Bournemouth studio will use the capital to scale its team and accelerate development of its sports-themed card games.
Ace High Sports is a video game studio based in Bournemouth that develops sports-led card strategy games for global audiences. Its upcoming debut title is Touchdown Poker, which merges Texas Holdem mechanics with American football.
Bournemouth-based video game studio Ace High Sports has secured £600k in a funding round to expand its operations and develop its portfolio of sports-led card games. The round was supported by private investors alongside equity backing from the South West Investment Fund via The FSE Group, with additional grant support provided by the UK Games Content Fund. The capital will be deployed to accelerate growth and prepare for the release of the company's inaugural title, Touchdown Poker, scheduled for 2026.
The studio aims to establish itself as a prominent creator of tactical sports games for mobile and PC platforms. The investment highlights the regional focus of the South West Investment Fund, which backs innovative high-potential enterprises across the area to drive sustainable economic growth and local job creation.
From the founder
"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
CEO and Co-founder at Ace High Sports
Investor perspective
"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, The FSE Group
Use of funds
- 01Grow the team
- 02Continue product development
- 03Fund research and development
Investors
Categories
About the company
Ace High Sports
Ace High Sports develops sports-led video card games for global players.