the business of cricket

PSL owner Ali Tareen and Kieron Pollard invest in “inclusive” cricket footwear brand ME+U

Must Read

ME+U, the cricket footwear brand focused on creating shoes tailored for both men and women, announced the successful completion of its Series B funding round. This round is boosted by a strategic investment from Ali Tareen, the owner of the Pakistan Super League team Multan Sultans, and a key advocate for the growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

In addition, renowned cricketer Kieron Pollard has demonstrated his continued support and belief in ME+U’s mission by adding to his original investment in the company.

As part of this collaboration, Ali Tareen will join the ME+U board of directors. Tareen’s ownership of the Multan Sultans, the Tareen Cricket Academy, and his upcoming investments in other sports will open new avenues for integrating ME+U’s innovative cricket footwear into both elite and grassroots programs.

Founded in 2023 by Matt Carter, Richard Woodhouse, and a team of cricket and footwear experts, ME+U was created with the aspiration to revolutionize the cricket footwear landscape. With a strong focus on performance, inclusivity, and comfort, the company aims to address a key gap in the market by providing cricket shoes specifically designed for both male and female players. Traditional cricket footwear has often failed to meet the unique anatomical and functional needs of women, and ME+U is committed to bridging this gap through high-quality design and technology.

The debut product line from ME+U includes all-rounder cricket shoes for women, all-rounder cricket shoes for men, and bowling shoes for men. Each pair is engineered using cutting-edge materials to enhance performance and stability on the field. Building on this solid foundation, ME+U plans to launch an exciting new range of cricket footwear in 2025, incorporating valuable feedback from professional players and the latest advancements in sportswear technology.

Richard Woodhouse, Co-founder and CFO of ME+U, also played a key role in securing this funding round, leveraging his experience as CFO/COO at Chapel Down Group plc to lead the company through a successful fundraising effort. 

Ali Tareen’s investment in ME+U is aligned with his passion for cricket, particularly in fostering grassroots development in South Punjab through the Tareen Cricket Academy. The academy provides underprivileged young cricketers with world-class training and facilities. Tareen is also a staunch advocate for women’s cricket and has initiated numerous programs to nurture female talent across Pakistan. 

“Securing this investment from Ali Tareen is a significant milestone for ME+U,” said Matt Carter, CEO of ME+U. “Ali’s transformational leadership at Multan Sultans, his unwavering commitment to inclusivity in men’s and women’s cricket, and his efforts in establishing the Tareen Cricket Academy resonate deeply with the values we hold at ME+U. We’re incredibly proud to work alongside someone whose vision aligns perfectly with our mission to foster inclusivity and innovation within the game.”

Ali Tareen shared, “As an avid cricket player and injury-prone fast bowler, I’m always looking for footwear that enhances performance. When I tried on ME+U shoes at my local store in England, I instantly knew this was a game-changer. Stability is crucial for a bowler, and these shoes truly made a difference. After discussing their vision with the founders, it became clear that our values aligned perfectly. I’m excited to support their growth and contribute to their mission to create the world’s best cricket shoe.”

Kieron Pollard added, “Having seen first-hand the importance of high-performance footwear for both men and women, I am thrilled to support ME+U. Their commitment to inclusivity ensures that players of all genders have access to footwear designed to meet their specific needs. I look forward to seeing their continued impact in the cricketing world.”

This strategic investment will allow ME+U to accelerate product development, broaden its market reach, and continue its mission to provide cricketers of all genders with footwear that meets their unique needs.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.

 

Name of Author: Cricexec Staff

become a cricexec insider!

Join for free and get:

  • Get the free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter:
    A 5x-week convenient summary of top industry news
    Also get invitations to exclusive events
  • Exclusive industry reports
  • Invitations to industry events
  • Early access to industry job postings
  • Many other benefits!

Latest News

Todd Boehly buys into The Hundred’s Trent Rockets

Photo Credit: LinkedIn Profile Photo of Todd Boehly Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has expanded his sports investment portfolio by acquiring...

More Articles Like This

Cricexec Newsletter