- APEX has already invested in several start-ups in the sports and nutrition sector
- Cody Gakpo will join a number of high-profile athletes who have already invested
- Man City exhausted?! We are all tired, but it is dangerous to spread that message. Big games are what it’s all about: listen to the everything is beginning podcast
Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo has teamed up with Formula One drivers and rugby stars to form part of an investment group worth £43m (€50m) for sports-related technology and entertainment.
The fund will invest in numerous sports startups and the portfolio already includes a personalized nutrition platform for athletes, a virtual reality sports company; a smart pitch technology and performance analysis tool.
Gakpo joins the £43m bid amassed with commercial partners including five-time Champions League winner Marcelo, former cycling world champion Mark Cavendish and England rugby union captain Maro Itoje.
The sports investment firm APEX already has Formula One drivers Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas, as well as footballers Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen. The firm has already invested in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s company, TMRW Sports.
APEX will announce Gakpo and Co’s investments this week and the Dutchman said: “I am excited to join the APEX community.” As an athlete-investor, I believe it is an opportunistic time to explore innovation and technology in sports and I know that every one percent improvement is important.
Cody Gakpo has teamed up with a group of other athletes to invest £43 million in APEX Capital
He will join Maro Itoje (pictured) and Mark Cavendish in investing in the sports technology company.
The fund will invest in numerous sports startups and the portfolio already includes investments in nutrition and a virtual reality sports company.
‘Our approach as like-minded athletes and supporting entrepreneurs to drive change makes sense. “We play together, we win together and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve.”
APEX CEO and founder Antonio Cacorino met Gakpo through the football community and told Mail Sport: “Cody understands that he wants to position himself more as an investor.” He understands the sports space and wants to invest in it.
‘He believes APEX is one of the most interesting partners out there to do this. He is excited about the like-minded approach with all of these athletes.
‘Little by little he will get more involved and be with other athletes who are excited about this.
Raphael Varane (left) and Lando Norris (right) are among other athletes who have already invested in Apex.
Gakpo said of the investment: “As an athlete-investor, I think it is an opportunistic time to explore innovation and technology in sports.”
‘We grew very quickly and, from athlete to athlete, the growth is organic and athletes come to us when they decide to be more entrepreneurial. “They know that we are authentic, that we are founded and driven by athletes and that makes it unique.”