Italian football club Como 1907 has announced the launch of Como Ventures, a start-up and investment platform managed by The Players Fund, the venture capital firm led by athletes. The initiative positions Como at the intersection of sport, venture capital and lifestyle, offering early-stage companies the opportunity to test, grow and scale in one of the most distinctive markets in world football. Como Ventures is designed as a launchpad that puts founders first. Start-ups will have access to Como 1907’s global brand and local operations, while tapping into The Players Fund’s network of athletes, capital, investors and operators. The result is a platform where new ideas can be validated in real-world conditions, presented to a global audience and scaled for commercial success.
The programme is now accepting applications, seeking start-ups in six growth sectors, including luxury hospitality and travel, media technology, merchandising and retail infrastructure, health technology and human performance, next-generation mobility, and sustainability.
The selected founders will present their projects at a pitch day in November, with companies selected jointly by Como 1907 operators and The Players Fund investment team. The selected companies will then enter a six-month activation period within the club and participate in a demo day later in the season, which will bring them face to face with investors, sponsors and the media.
Ryan Shelton, chief revenue officer at Como 1907, said in a statement: “Como Ventures is a natural extension of what makes this club unique. We are offering founders a platform they cannot find anywhere else, combining the cultural magnetism of Lake Como with access to athletes and investors on a global scale.”
In addition to the programme, The Players Fund will advise Como 1907 on broader innovation and investment opportunities, ensuring that the club remains aligned with emerging trends in sport, media and culture.
Andy Marston, head of corporate venture at The Players Fund, adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with Como 1907 to launch Como Ventures. The club’s global brand, distinctive culture and commitment to doing things differently make it an exceptional partner for us. Together, we have built a venture capital platform that creates a flywheel effect: it brings out and validates start-ups for The Players Fund, giving Como a front-row seat to revolutionary innovations. The combination of real-world testing, global visibility and shared ambition is what makes this collaboration so powerful.
With the rapid increase in capital managed by athletes and football clubs seeking to diversify beyond the pitch, Como 1907’s move signals how sport can become a driver of entrepreneurship, culture and investment on the global stage.
The Players Fund is a venture capital platform that brings together hundreds of current and former professional athletes to invest in and accelerate the development of early-stage companies. In addition to supporting Como Ventures, The Players Fund works with clubs and rights holders as a consultant to unlock new growth models at the intersection of sport, technology and culture. (the photo shows a view of the Como 1907 stadium taken from the sports club’s website)
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