Esk, a global immersive entertainment and technology startup, has raised £2.6 million in funding led by Maven Capital Partners, with participation from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland. Esk licenses intellectual property from brands including Netflix, Paramount and BAFTA and transforms it into live entertainment formats for promoters and venue operators worldwide.
Specialising in turning recognised IP into live shows, Esk delivers productions designed for medium to large venues using a proprietary media control system that combines bespoke hardware and software. Developed in-house after failures with existing industry solutions, the system is designed to provide dependable synchronisation and high-quality audio-visual playback during performances.
Since launching in 2022, more than 550 shows have been delivered globally, with productions including Top Gun: Maverick - Live in Concert, OCEAN In Concert narrated by David Attenborough, Netflix’s Life on Our Planet - In Concert and Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage On Wheels - Live On Stage. A recent partnership with BAFTA and Nibbs Events has also seen the adaptation of BAFTA’s Games in Concert into a live orchestral performance.
With demand shifting towards live formats built on established franchises and fan communities, Esk is working with promoters, venues and entertainment brands to scale productions across international markets.
We started Esk with a deep appreciation of live performance and immersive experiences, and a recognition that audiences have a huge appetite for in person, communal ways to enjoy the stories, creators and worlds they love – and to discover new ones. This investment from Maven and the British Business Bank is a massive vote of confidence in the company and our approach, and we look forward to building out our capabilities even further with their support.
Esk's significant experience delivering highly acclaimed live entertainment experiences across the globe has attracted an impressive base of customers and IP creators and has allowed the business to rapidly grow. We are very much looking forward to supporting the Esk team scale this exciting business.
This investment demonstrates the role the Investment Fund for Scotland plays in backing highgrowth, innovative businesses, helping them access the funding they need to scale, invest in new technology and compete globally. Esk exemplifies the type of ambitious company IFS was established to support, and we look forward to seeing how this investment contributes to its next stage of growth.
