Djokovic's knee sleeve supplier Form & Function Orthopaedics lands £150K loan to scale up

What's the deal? Form & Function Orthopaedics (trading as Brace-Yourself), a North Shields-based sports and orthopaedic supplier, has secured a £150,000 loan to expand capacity. The funding came from NPIF II — Mercia Debt Finance, managed by Mercia Business Loans as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → II.

What does the company do? Founded in 2022 by Clive Mitchell and his son Oscar, the business sells premium, science-led orthopaedic products to athletes, private clinics, and individuals. It employs nine staff across three units on the Orion Business Park.

Why the Djokovic link? Brace-Yourself supplied the grey knee sleeve that Novak Djokovic wore at Wimbledon in 2024 while recovering from knee surgery. The US brand IncrediwearDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → did not make a white version at the time, so The All England Club granted him special permission to wear grey.

Djokovic has since collaborated with Incrediwear on his own signature range, which meets the all-white dress code and launched ahead of Wimbledon 2025. Brace-Yourself is the exclusive UK distributor.

What's the endgame? The loan will fund higher stock levels, more marketing, and improved logistics — supporting both Brace-Yourself and its sister site NaluDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which sells wider health and wellbeing products.

Between the lines: "We saw a significant uplift in sales after Novak wore the grey sleeve we supplied prior to Wimbledon in 2024 and we are expecting a similar effect after the launch of his new signature range," Mitchell said.

The signal: The deal shows how regional development funds like NPIF II are backing niche consumer health businesses, with celebrity endorsement providing a clear commercial tailwind.

Read more: Insider Media