Box to Box Films, the production company behind Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive, has received a minority investment from Bruin Capital, an investment company focused on global sports, media and technology.
Financial and other details weren’t disclosed, but Box to Box said on Tuesday that the capital injection amounted to a “significant” minority investment.
Founded in 2016 by Academy Award-winning producer James Gay-Rees and Emmy-winning producer Paul Martin, Box to Box has also been behind such sports productions as Formula 1 documentary Senna, soccer doc Diego Maradona and Netflix’s tennis series Break Point, as well as Amy Winehouse doc Amy, among others.
“With this fresh Bruin investment, the company will expand into self-financed projects as well as new verticals (i.e., digital, branded and scripted) while also exploring strategic M&A,” Box to Box said.
It will continue to be led by Gay-Rees, Martin and managing director Samantha Lawrence, but will look to expand its senior management teams in L.A. and London.
“Box to Box is ready to take the next step in realizing its huge potential to become the definitive sports entertainment company globally while continuing to produce best-in-class non-sport content,” said Gay-Rees and Martin. “The response to and impact of our productions has been overwhelming and the primary reason for our organic growth and momentum. To execute this next growth phase called for a partner who understood our business and brought complementary resources and track record that would excite the industry as well as creative partners.”
“We can’t be more excited to support Box to Box in this booming renaissance for intellectual property,” said George Pyne, founder and CEO of Bruin Capital. “On top of being world-class storytellers, the team’s ability to turn insider’s access into definable business growth and meaningful value creation is why everyone in the industry is looking to work with them. Now, it’s about having the capital and flexibility to create multiple lines of sustainable growth businesses, which is where we come in. Besides being fans of their work, we see limitless potential for the company to capitalize on a gamut of opportunities with athletes, teams, leagues, federations, and brands for collaboration and business development.”
Bruin’s advisors on the deal included Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett for legal and Moelis & Co. for financial advice. Box to Box worked with Houlihan Lokey as financial, CMS as legal and Grant Thornton as accounting and tax advisors.
