UK digital challenger bank Atom has acquired Grasp, a digital design agency that specialises in building user interfaces for the gaming market.
The startup, headed by Eutechnyx/Zerolight founder Brian Jobling, was incorporated in September 2014 and has worked on projects with some of the biggest consumer brands in the world including F1, NASCAR, MTV and James Bond.
Atom, which plans to launch later this year, says the acquisition is part of its plan "to create the most engaging user experience in banking".
"In a single move, this brings together user-interface expertise from the banking industry with experience from the video games industry," says the firm. "This combined experience in 3D technology and design visualisation is driving the differentiation of Atom’s customer’s experience."
The move follows a recent £45 million investment in Atom by giant Spanish banking group BBVA, which has raised total funding secured by the Durham-based challenger to £135m in the 18 months since the founding team came together.
As part of the deal, Brian Jopling will join Atom as business development director.
Edward Twiddy, Atom’s chief innovations officer says: “Our first conversations with Brian about what gaming and the North East development industry could offer, started in the Spring of 2014 when Atom was just an idea. Now on the cusp of going live and after several months of testing, we are bringing some of the best in digital design and development into the heart of the family. Their work is our shop window and we’re really excited about what has already been built, and all the future promises.“