Tifosy Reaches £1m In Equity Raise

16 Oct 2017 | tshego

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Tifosy, a fully licensed sports crowdfunding business, has successfully raised £1m equity through its own platform.

Co-founded by former player and manager Gianluca Vialli and former investment banker Fausto Zanetton, Tifosy allows supporters to invest in clubs.

More than 10,000 fans have already invested through the platform and Tifosy has worked with more than 15 clubs in England and Italy.

Tifosy has reached its £1m target – more than three weeks ahead of its 10th November deadline. So far it has issued over 4,000 shares in the company, which Tifosy states has a pre-money valuation of £9.2m.

However, additional shares are now being issued and the offer will remain open until the original deadline, with a minimum investment of £1,000.

Tifosy is an online platform connecting clubs with a global community of fans and investors. In August it launched English football’s first mini-bond and next month is due to launch a €1m mini-bond for the Italian Serie B club Frosinone.

Tifosy has raised more than £1m for football clubs through its initial rewards-based campaigns on behalf of clubs, including Portsmouth FC, Fulham and Bradford City, funded training ground and stadium improvements and similar projects.

Tifosy founder & CEO Fausto Zanetton said: “We believe this pivotal moment in Tifosy’s short history is an excellent opportunity to bring on board the first wave of our very own Fanfunders. We have been developing relationships with clubs for the last three years and are having conversations with major sports clubs in England, Italy and other European markets.

“Our proposition is proving incredibly popular because we understand the challenges facing sports clubs operating in a fiercely competitive marketplace. We can provide them with new sources of funding by connecting them with their fanbase, domestically and internationally, deepening the engagement with supporters and allowing them to invest in their club’s future”.

Co-founder Gianluca Vialli added: “I believe we have created a revolutionary tool which allows clubs to work with their fans to build something sustainable together. It is simple and transparent. I am proud to be involved. I would love Fanfunding to become the norm for all clubs so their supporters become partners instead of being treated like customers”.

Tifosy’s platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with a licence valid across Europe, allowing it to sell equity and debt on behalf of clubs. It plans to expand into France, Germany and other European markets and will then explore opportunities in China and the US.