EBRD backs Sportano with €15 million equity investment

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the next stage of growth of Sportano, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s fastest-growing specialist sports commerce platforms, with a €15 million equity investment, according to a press release issued on 14 September 2026. The financing will support Sportano’s European expansion, investments in technology and AI-driven capabilities, logistics automation, inventory growth, and development of proprietary brands. As a minority shareholder, the Bank will help deepen Poland’s growth equity market. The investment marks a milestone for the founder-led Polish business. It also reinforces Sportano’s transition into a European platform.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Zielona Góra, Poland, Sportano operates in Poland and 12 international markets. The company offers a broad range of specialist products across more than 60 sports. It works with leading global sports brands while developing its own proprietary and exclusive brands. International markets already account for more than half of the company’s sales. In 2024, bValue Growth Fund I became Sportano’s first external shareholder, backing its earlier international expansion.

The EBRD’s long-term growth capital will help Sportano strengthen its position in Poland and accelerate its expansion across European markets. Financing will flow into technology and AI-driven digital capabilities, continued automation of logistics infrastructure, and increased inventory availability. It will also fund the continued development of proprietary and exclusive brands. The Bank now joins bValue in Sportano’s shareholder base. This marks the next stage in the company’s growth trajectory.

Marcin Grzymkowski, founder of Sportano, said: “Bringing EBRD on board as a shareholder is an important milestone for Sportano and a strong validation of our company, our team and our strategy.”

He added that reaching profitability in the first half of the year while growing at this pace signals that the model works. EBRD Managing Director for Poland and the Baltic States, Andreea Moraru, said the participation demonstrates confidence in Sportano’s strategy and in Poland’s private sector. EBRD Co-head of Direct Equity, Tamas Nagy, described Sportano as an ambitious, founder-led business ready to scale further. Michał Bartosz, Partner at bValue Fund, said EBRD’s decision confirms the progress made since 2024.

The Bank will also support Sportano in strengthening its corporate governance and institutional profile as it continues to scale across Europe. By backing the company, the EBRD is helping to reinforce Poland’s growth equity market, which remains limited for ambitious, founder-led firms. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Poland, having invested more than €16.6 billion in the country. The overwhelming majority of this financing has gone into the private sector. The partnership advances two of the Bank’s core priorities in the region.