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§ Venture Capital · Paris, France
Venture capital firm facilitating elite athlete investments in European startups, focused on Consumer, Impact, and Sports & Entertainment.
Key people at Athletico Ventures.
Athletico Ventures is a venture capital firm based in London and Paris that pools capital from elite sports professionals to co-invest in late-seed to Series B startups. The firm targets the consumer, impact, and sports and entertainment sectors, utilizing a collaborative follower approach alongside tier-one institutional funds. Its investment syndicate includes over 40 elite athletes across European football, Formula 1, and basketball who provide strategic networking and marketing support to portfolio companies. Athletico Ventures has backed notable startups such as Sorare, Cowboy, and Oura, which recently secured a $900 million Series E funding round at an $11 billion valuation. The firm also participated in Qovery's $13 million Series A round and launched a structured collective investment vehicle backed by executives from Index Ventures and Station F. Athletico Ventures was founded in 2020 by Arthur Bernard.
Key people at Athletico Ventures.
Athletico Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2020 that uniquely enables elite athletes to invest alongside top-tier investors in promising startups. Its mission is to generate outsized financial returns while educating athletes about the tech ecosystem and preparing them for business careers beyond sports. The firm primarily invests in early to growth-stage startups (late seed to Series B) across sectors such as consumer products, sports technology, health tech, media, and impact-driven businesses. By leveraging the networks and influence of over 40 elite athletes from diverse sports—including football, Formula 1, basketball, and esports—Athletico Ventures supports startups in scaling operations and accessing valuable industry connections, thus driving innovation and growth within the startup ecosystem[1][2][3].
Athletico Ventures was founded in 2020 by Arthur Bernard, a veteran in sports marketing and venture capital. The firm originated with a vision to bridge the gap between elite athletes and the tech investment world, empowering athletes to become active investors and business leaders beyond their sports careers. Headquartered in London with roots in Paris, Athletico Ventures has evolved to operate a collective investment vehicle called Athletico Ventures Collective #1, which pools investment capital from over 40 elite athletes and tech executives. This collective approach has allowed the firm to expand its impact and focus on startups with international growth potential, particularly in Europe and the United States[1][3].
Athletico Ventures rides the growing trend of athlete-driven investment and the convergence of sports, technology, and media. The timing is favorable as professional athletes increasingly seek to diversify their portfolios and influence beyond their playing careers, while startups benefit from authentic partnerships that enhance brand credibility and market reach. Market forces such as the rise of sports tech, esports, health innovation, and impact investing align well with Athletico Ventures’ focus areas. By bridging the sports and startup ecosystems, the firm fosters innovation and creates a new paradigm for athlete involvement in venture capital, influencing how startups scale and engage with consumers[1][2][3].
Looking ahead, Athletico Ventures is poised to deepen its role as a premier platform for athlete-investors, expanding its collective and portfolio across new sectors and geographies. Trends such as increased athlete entrepreneurship, growth in sports and health tech, and impact investing will shape its trajectory. The firm’s ability to combine financial returns with athlete education and ecosystem building positions it to influence both the venture capital landscape and the broader sports business world. As more athletes seek meaningful investment opportunities, Athletico Ventures’ model of co-investment and network leverage will likely become a blueprint for similar initiatives, reinforcing its unique position at the intersection of sports and innovation[1][3].
Athletico Ventures has 7 tracked investments across 6 companies. The latest tracked deal is $21.0M Series A in Spiko in July 2025.
