Goalhanger, the media company co-founded by Gary Lineker, has launched its new investment arm, Goalhanger Ventures. This division is dedicated to backing and nurturing high-potential, creator-led media businesses across multiple platforms. The venture's first deals include an equity investment in Invisible Media and a commercial partnership with Backyard Cricket.
A Strategic Expansion into Creator-Led Media
Goalhanger Ventures is positioned as an "investment and partnerships" business designed to support ambitious digital-first creators. The firm aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to help these businesses scale their operations effectively. This strategic support is intended to foster growth without compromising the unique editorial voice that defines each creator.
Co-founder Jack Davenport emphasized the venture's philosophy of thoughtful expansion for its partners. He stated their role is to help scale businesses commercially and creatively while protecting their independence and quality. This approach ensures creators' communities continue to receive the authentic content they value.
Inaugural Investments and Partnerships
The first partnership is an equity investment in Invisible Media, the company behind the YouTube channel "The Invisible Hand". This platform has attracted a significant audience by making complex topics like economics and geopolitics accessible. The investment will support the company's next phase of development and content creation.
Goalhanger has also formed a commercial partnership with Backyard Cricket, a sports brand created by brothers James and Mark Wood. The duo gained a major following by producing cricket content that blends humour, personality, and a love for the game. Their journey began with videos filmed in their family garden during lockdown.
Fostering Growth and Commercial Success
Under the partnership, Goalhanger will provide funding and strategic support to help Backyard Cricket expand its reach. This includes assistance with production, longer-form video, commercial deals, and merchandise, with both parties sharing in the success. This collaboration allows the Wood brothers to focus more on creating their signature entertaining content.
For Invisible Media, the investment provides access to Goalhanger's experience in building and monetizing intellectual property. Founder Charlie Tymon noted the alignment between the companies, highlighting the opportunity to scale a YouTube-first business. This strategic backing is crucial for the platform's ambitious growth plans in the digital media landscape.
Building on a Foundation of Success
The launch of Goalhanger Ventures is built upon the production company's own significant success in digital media. Goalhanger produces a slate of popular podcasts, including "The Rest is Politics," which attract 70 million monthly views and listens. The company also boasts a subscriber base of over 250,000 paying members.
This new venture complements the company's existing initiatives aimed at fostering new talent, such as its incubator program, The Accelerator. Launched earlier this year, the program provides mentorship and training to help digital creators build sustainable careers. Goalhanger Ventures represents a natural progression in the company's commitment to the creator ecosystem.
The establishment of Goalhanger Ventures marks a significant strategic move for the media company, solidifying its role in the creator economy. By investing in promising digital-native brands, Goalhanger is leveraging its expertise to foster the next wave of media talent. The initial deals with Invisible Media and Backyard Cricket set a strong precedent for the venture's future.