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Harbottle & Lewis advises Unit1 Studio on $20m fundraising round

Posted on by Sophie Goodall

Harbottle & Lewis has advised Unit1 Studio, an independent music tech startup focused on avatar concerts, in connection with its $20m equity and production fundraising round.

The equity fundraising round was led by Balderton Capital and included existing investors Mercuri, Gilston Music and artist manager Paul McGuinness.

Unit1 Studio, founded by Barney Wragg,  Pavle Mihajlovic and Jonathan Butterell in 2025, is an end-to-end production company focused on creating hyper-realistic digital avatar concerts. The company’s approach aims to engage both newer audiences discovering music from previous decades and established fans seeking different ways to experience the work of their favourite artists. 

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Unit1 Studio co-founder Barney Wragg commented:

“We are grateful to the Harbottle & Lewis team for their invaluable assistance with this transaction. The combination of their expertise in growth capital and intimate knowledge of the music industry has been key to helping us reach this significant milestone, which will enable us to produce a wider range of avatar concerts which audiences love, making them a commercial reality and ultimately expanding the connection between fan and artist.”

The Harbottle & Lewis team was led by co-managing partner and head of the firm’s corporate practice, Charlie Leveque, and managing associate Rosie Marston, who advised on the venture capital aspects of the transaction. Partner and head of the firm’s music practice, Kieran Jay, and associate Sofie Sigvardt are advising in connection with rights acquisition.

Commenting on the transaction, Charlie Leveque said:

“We are delighted and proud to have supported Barney and the Unit1 Studio team with this landmark transaction which drew on the firm’s long-standing expertise in the music sector, strong corporate and venture capital transaction capabilities and our wide-ranging experience acting for innovative companies developing cutting-edge technologies. We are excited to have played a role in helping Unit1 Studio secure this funding, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them as they realise their ambitious plans for the future.”

Harbottle & Lewis promotes Harry Bresslaw, Ed Lane and Alasdair Wilson to the partnership

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

Harbottle & Lewis has announced three partner promotions today in line with its commitment to continued growth in the media and creative industries and private wealth sector, and to the expansion of its corporate practice. Harry Bresslaw, Ed Lane and Alasdair Wilson will each join the partnership with effect from 1 April 2025.

Harry is an entertainment lawyer with a focus on the theatre, film and TV industries. He advises producers, creatives, investors and venues across the theatre industry on matters including commissioning, development, production, financing, national and international transfers, licensing, digital captures and other associated sector arrangements. He works with clients both in the UK and beyond, ranging from established West End and Broadway producers to new and emerging producers, on all aspects relating to the creation and exploitation of plays, musicals and other live stage projects. He also provides legal and strategic advice to major film and TV production companies and SVOD platforms, and acts for a number of high-profile individual rights-holders on the protection and exploitation of their IP rights and assets.

Ed advises founders, businesses and investors on a broad range of corporate, corporate finance and commercial matters. He has a particular expertise in the creative industries, including film and TV, video games and music, and in the broader media, entertainment and technology sectors. His practice spans mergers and acquisitions, fundraises from pre-seed to series A and beyond, startups, growth equity investments, music catalogue sales, public takeovers, joint ventures, management incentive arrangements, including EMI options, and SEIS/EIS investments. He is actively involved as a speaker and mentor for a number of different industry accelerators and trade bodies, including IndieLab, BAFTA and UKIE.

Alasdair advises individuals, families and fiduciaries based in the UK and overseas in relation to all matters of international taxation, wealth structuring, global compliance and cross-border estate planning. This includes tax and legal advice to wealth generators or custodians who are moving between countries, seeking to maintain tax efficiency across multiple jurisdictions or passing ownership or control to the next generation. Alasdair has significant experience in advising US-UK clients, individual entrepreneurs and family businesses. He also has a particular interest in clients connected to civil law jurisdictions, in particular France, Belgium and Switzerland, as well as to Latin America and the Middle East.

Senior partner Catherine Bedford commented:

“We are thrilled to be welcoming three outstanding lawyers to the partnership. Harry, Ed and Alasdair have continually demonstrated exceptional legal skills, dedication to client care and a drive to bring success to our business. Their promotions will strengthen our offering to individuals, families and companies and will enhance our expertise in key areas including the entertainment and media and private wealth sectors. We look forward to seeing them build on their accomplishments and continue their development as partners.”

For more information, please contact Alex Molyneux, Communications & Marketing Manager: ([email protected])