Addleshaw Goddard advises EBRD on its investment in Sportano

Addleshaw Goddard has advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on its equity investment in Sportano, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s fastest-growing specialist sports commerce platforms.

Sportano’s existing investor, bValue Growth Fund I, which became the company’s first external shareholder in 2024, remains invested in the business, with EBRD joining the shareholder base to support the company’s next stage of growth.

Founded in 2021 Sportano has rapidly evolved from a domestic e-commerce business into a leading European sports commerce platform, now operating across Poland and 12 international markets.

EBRD’s investment will support Sportano’s continued expansion and strategic development, including investments in technology and AI-driven digital capabilities, logistics automation, inventory growth and the development of proprietary and exclusive brands. The transaction also reflects EBRD’s commitment to supporting high-growth Polish businesses and deepening access to growth capital in the region.

The Addleshaw Goddard team was led by Michał Szperzyński (counsel) and Łukasz Czerepak (managing associate) supported by Lena Murawska (junior associate). The wider cross-practice team included Łukasz Burakowski (counsel) and Zofia Jasińska (associate) on employment matters; Małgorzata Czubernat (associate) and Szymon Sieniewicz (counsel and head of TMT/IP) on commercial and TMT/IP matters; Filip Stawicki (managing associate) and Yuliia Stepanyk (associate) on competition matters; and Filip Witaszek (senior associate) on real estate matters. Daniel Cousens (partner) supervised the transaction.