Melbourne software startup Roller straps in for global growth with $78.5 million raise

A Melbourne startup that provides software for more than 1500 leisure and attraction venues in 30 countries has secured one of the biggest funding raises of the year, raising $78.5 million (US$50 million), in a round led by global investor Insight Partners.

Roller was founded in 2011 by brothers Luke and Mark Finn, as a centralised platform to help theme parks and other entertainment venues manage everything from ticketing and point-of-sale to party bookings, gift cards, memberships and stock control.

Among the venues using the Roller platform are the immersive art museum Lume in Melbourne, and Adventure Park, and the Museum of Play and Art in Geelong, in regional Victoria.

According to Roller, the past three years have seen the company’s growth accelerate, with its revenue growing by more than five times over the period.

The significant raise follows a $28.2 million funding round in December 2022 and a $7 million Series B round in 2018 and will allow the startup to invest further in its existing global platform.

Rachel Geller, managing director at Insight Partners, will join the Roller board as part of the investment, which will be subject to approval by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.

Roller co-founder and CEO Luke Finn described the completion of the round as “an incredible moment for the business, our phenomenal team and amazing customers around the world”.

“Whilst we have come so far, over more than a decade since starting the business, this is only the beginning,” he said in a statement on Friday morning.

“We are more excited than ever to accelerate our investment in helping our customers to grow and deliver amazing experiences for their guests.”

Geller said in the same statement that Roller is poised to “become a global category leader”.

“The company’s genuine obsession and dedication with delivering real value to its customers is a hallmark of all truly great businesses,” she said.

“We are excited to be partnering with Luke, Mark and the ROLLER team as they grow and scale up.”

Also sharing the funding news on the Roller website, CEO Luke Finn said in a letter to customers that the investment milestone is “as much yours as it is ours”.

“Without your support, feedback, and trust, this would not have been possible,” he wrote.

“This investment only deepens our commitment to your growth and to the unforgettable experiences you provide your guests every day.”

Despite having run the business for more than a decade, Finn said the Roller team “are just getting started”.

“We are more excited than ever about what we can accomplish together,” he added.