Bob van Oosterhout (left) and Danny Cortenraede are leading Venturerock’s $75 million technology venture investment firm.
With the global sports technology industry estimated to be over US$40 billion by 2026, Venturerock, the Amsterdam-based digital venture capital platform, today launched its US$75 million sports technology investment company (VIC).
The VIC, which includes athlete investors including former Dutch football player Mark van Bommel and former New York Jets cornerback Bryson Keeton, utilizes a 72-step, four-phase program in which investment is based on startups achieving metrics. key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones.
“We are there for the entire journey,” says Danny Cortenraede, partner/co-founder of Venturerock. “Our success is taking a founder from scratch to Serie A. This fund is specifically focused on sports and technology, but it’s also part of media and culture.
“There is so much going on in the world of sports and we want to be a part of it and make an impact.”
With 90% of startups failing, including 42% due to a lack of product market fit, Venturerock says its metered funding provides entrepreneurs with ongoing support throughout their growth as they prepare for a Series A fundraiser. .
Venturerock has used this approach with over 700 startups, including companies like Just-Eat, iChoosr, and Sendcloud. Its fintech vertical works with a dozen companies with a net asset value of approximately $130 million.
“The future of sports is being reshaped by innovative solutions and entrepreneurial talent, and I am very proud to support and accelerate this from a Venturerock perspective,” Bob van Oosterhout, partner/co-founder of Venturerock, said via email. “Improve sports organizations, increase sports results and bring fans closer to action; that will be the name of the new game.”
Not only will sports technology investment firm Venturerock provide entrepreneurs and founders with a steady stream of cash, but its team, which also includes Xander van der Heijden, Marc Wesselink and Mihaela Georgieva, will leverage valuable connections and relationships across the sporting world, including brands like adidas, Nike and Puma and with leagues like the NFL, NBA and LaLiga to further accelerate the growth of a startup.
It’s also where the investors and partners of athletes like van Bommel prove to be invaluable.
Former Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel (center) has joined Venturerock as an investor and partner of… [+]. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“I am super excited to have joined Venturerock as an investor and venture partner with all my experience as a former athlete and captain at clubs like Bayern Munich and AC Milan,” van Bommel said via email. “I can share my knowledge and help founders and companies. Together, we are creating the future of sport.”
To further facilitate an ecosystem that founders can tap into, Venturerock plans to open Habitat LA in 2023.
The business residential habitat that will open ahead of major sporting events coming to the City of Angels, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, will combine co-working and co-living spaces for entrepreneurs, industry, athletes, investors and community leaders to work, recharge, network and create.
“That’s where you can get inspired,” says Cortenraede, who previously co-founded the digital media agency Wannahaves.
