MediaTechDeals

A smart media library platform has been acquired by media giant Thomson Reuters.

Imagen helps sports organisations, businesses and media companies manage their content libraries with fast, secure and controlled access through a highly-customisable media management and distribution platform. 

Imagen also owns Screenocean, a platform that provides production companies and others the ability to license video and photo content from around the world.

The sale of Cambridge-based Imagen to Thomson Reuters has generated a combined return of 1.9x to Foresight funds and follows the impressive growth of the business since the original investment in 2018. 

During this time, Imagen generated annual revenue growth of c.35% and saw headcount expansion in both the UK and internationally. Foresight’s original investment has supported international growth with many of the most prestigious US sports operators now customers. 

This is the seventh exit Foresight Ventures has achieved in the last 12 months, five of which have attracted US/Canada based acquirers.  Foresight Ventures partners with ambitious entrepreneurs looking to build leading international technology businesses. The Foresight Ventures team works from offices across the UK and Ireland and has representatives based in the US, Israel and UAE. 

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“We are delighted to be joining the Reuters family and are excited about the potential this will bring,” said Imagen CEO Charlie Horrell. “The combination of Reuters and Imagen brings significant opportunities to reach new customers and better serve existing ones. We look forward to a bright future together.

“Foresight Ventures has been a valuable partner to Imagen, supporting the business with advice and expertise. Our relationship with them has been a significant part of getting Imagen to this point.” 

Richard Lewis, managing director at Foresight, commented: “We are delighted to have supported Imagen over the last four years, culminating in a successful sale of the business to Thomson Reuters. 

“This outcome is a result of the unwavering dedication and professionalism of CEO Charlie Horrell and team and we wish them continued success under the new ownership.”

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