Version 1 Acquires CreateFuture Following Soho Square Capital Investment Exit

Soho Square Capital LLP, a London-based investment firm specializing in UK and European small and medium-sized enterprises, has agreed to exit its investment in the digital transformation consultancy CreateFuture. The company will be acquired by Version 1, a global leader in digital transformation.

The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. This move marks the conclusion of a partnership that began in 2023, when Soho Square provided a minority investment in the business, which was then operating as xDesign.

Strategic Growth and Rebranding

During its tenure as an investor, Soho Square partnered with CreateFuture founder and CEO Euan Andrews to facilitate the company’s expansion. The investment firm provided flexible capital and a hands-on management approach to support the consultancy’s growth phase.

This period of growth included a formal rebrand from xDesign to CreateFuture. According to the firm, the new name was chosen to reflect the company’s broadened capabilities and its long-term ambitions within the digital transformation sector.

Under the leadership of Andrews, CreateFuture expanded its geographic reach, enhanced its senior leadership team, and broadened its service offerings. The company has established itself as a partner for organizations managing complex digital transformation programs, offering end-to-end digital solutions for a client base spanning the United Kingdom and the United States.

We chose the right partner in Soho Square to support us through an important phase of our growth whilst allowing us to retain control and minimise dilution. With their backing, we have accelerated growth, expanded our capabilities and strengthened our position in the market. We are proud of what we have achieved together and are excited about the next chapter as part of Version 1.

Euan Andrews, Founder and CEO of CreateFuture

Company Profiles and Capabilities

Founded in Scotland in 2010, CreateFuture has grown into a consultancy employing 550 experts. The firm maintains a presence across five key locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, and Sofia.

The consultancy is recognized for an AI-native approach to software engineering. It possesses specific expertise in regulated sectors, including financial services, as well as a market-leading position within the iGaming industry. The firm focuses on helping enterprise organizations accelerate transformation across platforms, processes, products, and personnel.

Soho Square Capital operates as a provider of flexible capital solutions for established and growing SMEs in the UK and Europe. The firm typically provides senior or preferred capital accompanied by minority equity stakes. Headquartered in London, the investment team has a history of investing together for more than 15 years.

The firm’s investment capacity allows for up to £40 million in a single transaction, spanning the capital structure from equity to senior debt. Soho Square specifically targets founder-led businesses that seek to accelerate growth without relinquishing majority control.

There is a clear gap in the market for ambitious, founder-led businesses that want to accelerate growth but are not looking to give up control. Soho Square’s approach is designed to address that — providing flexible capital alongside hands-on support, while allowing owner founders and management teams to retain majority ownership and benefit from the value they create. CreateFuture is a strong example of how this approach works in practice, and we are proud to have partnered with Euan and his team through this phase of growth.

James Smallridge, Partner at Soho Square Capital

Transaction Advisory

The deal team at Soho Square was led by Partner James Smallridge and Director Joe Tebbutt. A variety of professional services firms provided advisory and due diligence support for both Soho Square and CreateFuture during the transaction:

• Financial Advisory: Raymond James, represented by Simon Roberts and Chris Bates.
• Legal Advice: Addleshaw Goddard, represented by James Woodward and David Anderson.
• Commercial Due Diligence: CIL, represented by Anthony Crutchet and Tom Fletcher.
• Financial Due Diligence: EY, represented by Ben Collins.

CreateFuture is a high-quality business and we are proud of the market leading growth the team has delivered. Working closely with Euan and his team, the business has scaled at pace, building a differentiated offering and an impressive client base. We believe Version 1 is an excellent strategic partner for the next phase of growth, and we look forward to backing more ambitious UK and European businesses with Soho Square’s flexible capital solutions.

Joe Tebbutt, Director at Soho Square Capital