Golf venture

Ella Fitzgerald once sang that it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing. But for one Sheffield based high-tech start-up also involved in the world of swing, it wouldn't mean a thing without the capital to back it.

Break30, the company in question, has developed PUTTLAB, an analysis programme that has already been proven to increase the putting skills of professional golfers.

PUTTLAB uses ultrasonic technology derived from the medical industry to map the putting swing in extremely fine detail. The data is then analysed using motion capture software to build a training programme that has been developed over 15 years of academic research in Germany.

The product has already been adopted by Tiger Woods and proven with the top100 golf coaches, and Break30 is now an Education Partner for the Professional Golfers Associations of Europe.

And now, thanks to an investment of £202,500 from YFM Group's managed Yorkshire & Humber Equity Fund (YHEF), the company now plans to work with the European and Global PGA’s to develop structured training programmes around the world for both professional and amateur golfers.

As well as the major organisations, BREAK30 is also rolling out PUTTLAB to golf centres and golf clubs as players seek to improve their putting, having already worked on their driving with the wide range of devices available today.

Following a grant from Yorkshire Forward, the management team realised they needed a larger investment to take their product to the next stage of development.

YHEF saw the opportunity to back a well established and experienced management team who have created a product which is the first of its type in what is an untapped market.

Chris Fitzsimmons led the deal on behalf of YHEF. He said: 'BREAK30 and PUTTLAB are focusing on a new and exciting segment of the golf market. Their progress to date has been impressive and with our funding we believe that they will quickly grow to become the leading putting training aid based on their scientific approach to improving a players putting style.'

The funding for the five man company, which was announced on January 12, will help increase the company's market share nationally and internationally as the technology develops.