March 12 – FC Barcelona are still exploring the launch of their own sports technology investment fund with the aim of raising €100 million to develop digital product that would give them a leadership position in domestic and European football.
The LaLiga champions have been exploring the project for two years. They would not contribute capital to the fund, but instead provide services from their own staff to assess the potential of the start-ups.
For now the plans remain in its infancy as location and the lead investment vehicle for the fund have not been decided. Barcelona already trail new technologies through their Barça Innovation Hub, established in 2017 to help incubate innovations to shape the future game.
The club has already made a commitment to new digital technologies within their €600 million Espai Barca project which will see the transformation of the Nou Camp stadium. The stadium is set to become the first European venue equipped with a 5G network.
Earlier in 2019, Manchester City owner City Football Group (CFG) was named as the anchor investor in Sapphire Sport, a new $115 million sport venture capital fund launched by Sapphire Ventures to invest in digital technology-driven companies developing sports product.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713955000labto1713955000ofdlr1713955000owedi1713955000sni@o1713955000fni1713955000