Digital product consultancy Hedgehog Lab has acquired Label Sessions – the Edinburgh-based global innovation network – for an undisclosed sum.   

The deal combines Label Sessions’ methodology and network of more than 500 experts with Hedgehog Lab’s experience in AI delivery and product design and development.

The new proposition is targeted at sectors such as finance, travel, retail, and technology.

Label Sessions was founded in 2023 by Nick Sherrard and Maxine Mackie, who had previously worked together at Market Gravity, Deloitte, and the venture studio.

It is chaired by Helen Page, the former chief marketing officer at Virgin Money. The business quickly grew to have operations across three continents – Europe, North America, and Africa – supporting household brand names such as Google, Mastercard, and Lululemon.

In addition to its Newcastle base, Hedgehog Lab has operations in London, Leeds, Edinburgh, and Sofia.

In the two decades since its launch, the consultancy has grown substantially, achieving its best-ever quarter earlier this year, and working with brands ranging from Deliveroo and Under Armour to Aviva and AJ Bell.

In 2023, Hedgehog Lab secured a £6.3 million investment from BGF, the most active growth capital investor in the UK, and has achieved significant growth in the past three years. 

Nick Sherrard, managing director of Label Sessions, said: “We want to be the ultimate sidekicks to leaders looking to make change happen. “

We’ve already shown that there’s a different way to do strategy in the biggest brands; now we want to bring more big ideas to the market faster.”