Warrington-based fitness brand Built For Athletes has secured £1.025m in funding from NatWest as it accelerates plans for global expansion and product innovation.
The facility comprises a £525,000 trade loan and £500,000 in invoice finance, providing the fast-growing business with additional financial flexibility to invest in new product lines, scale operations and expand its international footprint.
Founded in 2018 by brothers Daniel and Nicholas Costello, Built For Athletes has established itself as a category-defining backpack brand within the fitness sector. The company is known for its premium, design-protected functional backpacks tailored to gym users and competitive athletes, and has secured high-profile partnerships with Alpine F1 Team, Williams Racing, Red Bull Racing, Borussia Dortmund and fitness competition brand Hyrox.
Chief executive Danny Costello said the funding marks a significant milestone. “This facility provides enhanced financial flexibility to invest confidently in product development, operational capability and international expansion,” he said. “NatWest’s commitment to our long-term vision underpins the sustainable growth of the business.”
The company plans to use the funding to broaden its product range, deepen its global brand presence and invest further in digital marketing, creator partnerships and technology to strengthen direct-to-consumer sales.
Nathan Johnson, senior relationship manager at NatWest, said the bank was keen to back innovative, high-growth firms. “Built For Athletes exemplifies the kind of ambitious UK business shaping the future of sports retail,” he said.
Sustainability remains central to the company’s strategy. Built For Athletes designs durable products to counter fast-fashion waste, partners with BSCI-audited manufacturers, uses fully recyclable packaging and prioritises eco-efficient logistics. It also promotes employee wellbeing, diversity and transparent governance, aligning with NatWest Group’s broader focus on supporting sustainable business growth.
With new capital secured, Built For Athletes is positioning itself to move from a UK success story to a truly global fitness lifestyle brand.
Amy Ingham
Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.
