Mercury13 have become the new stewardship from the Lansdown family of the women’s side of Bristol City.
Mercury 13 is a pioneering investment group and multi-club ownership fund focused exclusively on professional women's football teams.
Victoire Cogevina Reynal and Mario Malavé co-founded the group, which aims to transform women's football's commercial power and sustainability by acquiring majority stakes in clubs across Europe and Latin America, such as FC Como Women and Bristol City WFC.
They aim to build a profitable and sustainable business model for women's clubs, creating a new paradigm for investment in the sport.
Mercury13 described as a “multi-club ownership group”.
"This is a pivotal moment for Bristol City Women and we are excited about the next chapter in the club's story," said Gavin Marshall, Bristol City Women chair and Bristol Sport CEO.
"Mercury13 have the commitment and capability to drive Bristol City Women forward and continue our proud history as a progressive, innovative and community-focussed club."
Bristol City Women will continue to play at Ashton Gate and train at the Robins High Performance Centre as part of a "long-term agreement", a statement said.
Previously called Bristol Academy, Bristol City Women cam under the ownership of the Lansdown in 2014 as part of the Bristol Sport group then included men’s football both gender rugby in Bristol Bear and basketball.
Bristol-born billionaire businessman Steve Lansdown has previously said he would be open to selling the men's side if the right investors came along.
"I believe now is that time for City Women," Lansdown said.
"Mercury13's ambition for women's football matches our own; their dedicated investment and focus on women's football will accelerate Bristol City Women's growth and I look forward to seeing what the club can achieve in the years to come."
Bristol City Women were one of the founding clubs in the Women's Super League in 2011, spending five campaigns in the top flight.
They memorably beat Barcelona in 2014 in the Champions League and have reached two FA Cup finals in 2011 and 2013.
The new owners have pledged to invest more than £80 million buying and transforming women’s clubs around the world.
Cogevina Reynal said: "We've always moved without fear - experimenting, innovating, and staying a step ahead - and this acquisition once again proves there is a powerful and sustainable way to invest in the women's game."
Malave added: "Bristol City Women represents everything we look for in a club: a rich history; a track record of performance; world-class infrastructure; and incredibly loyal supporters."
Bristol City are the latest women's football entity to be taken over by a multi-club ownership model in a changing era for the game.
As women's teams strive for more resources, independent research and sustainable financial structures, Mercury13 are an attractive company that promises all of these things.
My only curiosity is if more clubs are becoming multi-club owners in the women's game if the likes of UEFA crack even more down on this. Will multi-club ownership be a benefit for the women unlike the men’s to prevent new investors or promote investment. Only time will tell…
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