Karta secures £500k investment from Creative Growth Finance to capitalise on a growing market

• Karta creates branded experiences on Roblox and Fortnite for clients including Adidas, Amazon Music, and Manchester City FC’s City in the Community

• This investment will fund high-profile projects and support shift to a more scalable operating model to capitalise on opportunities in the virtual experiences space

Today, Tuesday 26 August, Creative UK is pleased to announce a £500,000 investment from the Creative Growth Finance fund into pioneering metaverse studio Karta, supporting the company’s expansion – and strengthening its position as a leader in branded experiences across virtual platforms.

Founded in London in July 2021 by former Fnatic executive Erik Londré and music industry veteran Tony Barnes, Karta helps brands, artists and sports teams engage the billions of users inhabiting the world’s most popular virtual worlds. With over 50 years of combined experience in gaming, music, marketing and esports, Karta has developed an accessible, high-impact model for brands to achieve lasting success in the metaverse.

Since launching, Karta has activated campaigns for global clients including Adidas, Amazon Music, TWICE, Universal Music, e.l.f. Cosmetics, HUGO BOSS and NASCAR. Its standout work with Manchester City FC’s charity, City in the Community, recreated real-world pitches in Roblox to host interactive tournaments, bridging gaming and social impact.

Brand activations on Roblox and Fortnite have surged from 48 to over 1,570 since Karta’s launch, reflecting a rapid growth in this space. The £500,000 investment will enable Karta to scale and meet demand, funding high-profile projects with NASCAR and Southbank Centre, and supporting a shift to a more agile, cost-efficient business model. With a streamlined team focused on strategic delivery, Karta is now positioned to improve margins, expand its client base, and lead the next wave of immersive digital campaigns.

Hannah Upton, Investment Manager at Creative UK commented:

The pace of growth in virtual experiences is extraordinary, and Karta is right at the forefront. They’ve shown how powerful these platforms can be for brands, and with a strong team and a smart, scalable model, they’re perfectly placed to lead the way. We’re thrilled to support them as they take things to the next level.

Tony Barnes, COO at Karta also commented:

The world we operate in is accelerating, brimming with new possibilities. Thanks to Creative UK’s belief and investment, Karta is now better positioned than ever to actively pounce on these opportunities.

For further information on Creative Growth Finance and to find out if your business is eligible, visit www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise/investment/creativegrowthfinance

For all press enquiries, please contact Rebecca Maxwell on press@wearecreative.uk