Home > Case Studies > Business Case Study

Case Study: ZOO Digital

Published: June 2009

Large Picture

Left to right: Helen Gilder, Debbie Sorby and Grahame Lunt

The Company

ZOO Digital is a creative media production company based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

The company provides a range of technology and creative solutions such as graphic design, special features for DVDs and Blu-ray discs, for film studios, television networks and corporate clients around the globe.

The Challenge

ZOO Digital has built up an impressive clientele since it was founded in Sheffield in 2001.

With some of Hollywood’s biggest studios on the company books – ZOO Digital wanted to develop its products and move into new sectors. 

The Solution

ZOO Digital has received more than £900,000 of funding over the last four years, in a series of equity linked investments and business loans from South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF).

The money has helped the company move into new sectors such as ‘pre-media’, meaning ZOO Digital can now produce virtually any printed material from posters to packaging and advertising.

As part of a wider strategy the company has also established an operation in Los Angeles, placing ZOO Digital closer to its high profile clientele.

Future Expectations

Despite having transatlantic connections, ZOO Digital still has its roots placed firmly in South Yorkshire

The company continues to carry out its software product development from its base in Sheffield and is a prime example of a South Yorkshire business gone global.

But as the company continues to flourish – new connections will be made around the world, taking ZOO Digital to the next level in international media delivery.

Latest Case Studies

Editor's Notes

About South Yorkshire Investment Fund

South Yorkshire Investment Fund  provided seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15k to £2.5m, specifically to help small and medium businesses meet the gaps in funding they need for growth and development.

Created as part of the Objective 1 programme, the Fund is a private and public sector business finance provider. The European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward are investors in the Fund.

South Yorkshire Investment Fund also provided access to Business Angel investments from the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels and Microloans through BiG Business Loan Fund and Donbac Microloan Fund.

Finance Yorkshire has now taken on responsibility for providing gap finance in Yorkshire and the Humber.
http://www.finance-yorkshire.com

For further details please contact Suzanne Tinkler,  on 0845 649 0000.

South Yorkshire Investment Fund Ltd is a company limited by guarantee (Registered No 3936065). South Yorkshire Investment Fund comprises three sub funds, the South Yorkshire Investment Capital Fund, the South Yorkshire Investment Development Fund, which are each managed by YFM Venture Finance Limited, and the South Yorkshire Investment Small Business Fund, which is managed by Finance South Yorkshire Ltd. YFM Venture Finance Limited (Tel 0113 294 5000) and Finance South Yorkshire Ltd (Tel 01709 386 377) are each authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. South Yorkshire Investment Fund also provides a number of services, which are not regulated by The Financial Services Authority. These include the pilot Seedcorn Fund, BiG Business Loan Fund, Mentorbank and access to the Donbac Microloan Fund. BiG Business Loan Fund is managed by Donbac Ltd (company registration No. 01925556) and Key Fund Yorkshire Ltd (Tel 0114 242 8900).