The directors of My Action Replay have launched their new business, One Big Circle. Founded as a solutions provider – using developing technology to help clients achieve rapid growth by overcoming technical challenges – the launch follows the team’s struggle against adversity as they sought to save their business.
My Action Replay is a bootstrapped startup, built over five years, which allows sportspeople to capture, share and analyse their game footage. In March 2017, the startup was acquired by New Zealand based CricHQ for an equity share. Partnered with the world’s largest digital platform for cricket, video integration and digital scoreboards became prominent features for users.
However, less than 12 months into their partnership, CricHQ fell into receivership following a failed fundraising round. The My Action Replay staff were seemingly stuck in a legal impasse.
The team potentially faced legal liability for unpaid bills and debts, and the loss of all equity. Witnessing the possible collapse of their business, the remaining directors returned to their roots in the SETsquared Bristol incubator to plan their next move.
Emily Kent, Director of One Big Circle, comments on the team’s strong spirit:
“The type of people we are meant we were determined to make something out of what was left. We have huge confidence in each other and our ability. We knew we could provide the receivers with support to keep the platform live and that we could provide tech solutions to others. So we made a plan over a crisis drink and went from there.”
One Big Circle was founded 24 hours later, with My Action Replay’s Ian Packer, Sam Low and Barnaby Kent becoming directors. The startup restructures a clients’ projects according to time and cost. From here, the team appealed to the New Zealand receivers. They reached a satisfying conclusion, forming a valuable partnership with the new owners of CricHQ. Their success has not stopped there, Emily explains:
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since then. We’ve delivered a real-time app for use in the NHS, launched our own innovative marketplace app, and now have a number of collaborative contracts across sports, transport and IoT. Our first Software Developer apprentice has just joined us and we have plans for significant growth.”
“we have ambitious plans and know nothing will stop us from achieving them.”
Beebooked, a marketplace app for stay-at-home parents, has seen the benefits of One Big Circle’s work, bringing their app from concepts to testing in only eight weeks. The firm helped deliver real-time staff engagement tools under their partnership with the award-winning FHIntuition.
The Director of SETsquared, Emma Thorn has said:
“The tenacity shown by Emily and her fellow directors has been remarkable. It is not usual for our ventures to find themselves in a challenging situation such as this, but working with the team, we were able to help steer them to a successful outcome. Resilience is a common characteristic across our start-up membership, as shown by One Big Circle in the most trying of circumstances. Our incubation services are here to support members at every step of their progression, and we are delighted that One Big Circle are poised for success again.”
The success of One Big Circle and My Action Replay is well deserved and stands to show how valuable ambition and perseverance are in the volatile world of start-up firms. In reflection, Emily says:
“After going through such testing times, we are delighted with the performance of our new business through both rescuing My Action Replay and restoring it to it former commercial glory, and in acquiring new clients. It is exciting times for One Big Circle and our team; we have ambitious plans and know nothing will stop us from achieving them.”
