‘This acquisition is both strategic and heartfelt’: Shadowboxer and Southpaw acquired by Reece Group

September 11, 2024 12:42

Venture studio Shadowboxer and its subsidiary web design agency, Southpaw, has been acquired by Reece Group.

The acquisition will see the senior teams at Southpaw and Shadowboxer become part of “Reece Group’s Breakthrough Innovation Group (BIG) alongside its venture capital arm Superseed Ventures, creative agency Trout and innovation consultancy Next”.

Specifically, Shadowboxer’s managing partner and founder, Konrad Spilva, will take on the role of chief digital officer for Australia and New Zealand at Reece. Meanwhile, Spilva’s colleague and Shadowboxer partner for strategy, Stephen Graham, is being promoted to act as the studio’s general manager.

Moving forward, Graham will stand with the studios’ partners: Steven McGrath, Emma Park, Rachel Legge and Mike Fraser.

General manager Ant Mangos and head of technology Dave Sharpe will continue leading Southpaw.

“Technology and innovation are key pillars driving Reece’s 2030 vision, and the future of our industry. We’re excited to welcome Shadowboxer and Southpaw to the Group,” Jeremy Crow, Reece Group’s innovation director, said.

“Their teams will give BIG the skills to build world class digital products, while accelerating Reece’s strategy to be the trade’s most valuable partner.

“Shadowboxer and Southpaw, with their proven digital product and web building capabilities, will bolster our ability to execute on our strategy and drive change, taking ideas from prototypes into fully launched digital products.

“They are the perfect fit to work alongside Next and Trout.”

Moving forward, Shadowboxer is expected to continue developing products for early-stage startups. At the same time, Southpaw will play a crucial role in rolling out “Reece Group’s digital strategy”, providing America-based and locally based clients with innovative web solutions.

According to Spilva, the acquisition is not only a strategic business move, but one that is honourable for the team.

“In four years we have been fortunate to build a world class product team, and worked with many incredible startups and corporate ventures,” Spilva said.

“This acquisition is both strategic and heartfelt, honouring the legacy of our late co-founder, friend and technology Partner, Tom Ashmor who tragically passed away earlier in the year.”

“We’re looking forward to doubling-down and building a long-term strategy with Reece’s global business advancing innovation in construction and trade,” Graham added.

“We’ll continue to do what we set out to do, which is work with founders and innovators to build great digital products.”