SportsTech Fungiball Secures €2.2M in Pre-Seed Funding

Welcomes Tennis Stars Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev as Ambassadors

Fungiball, the revolutionary fantasy tennis platform, has secured €2.2 million in pre-seed funding, supported by private business angels, including Adrien Dassault and Stephan Altmuller, with additional backing from Cliff Capital and BPI France.

The funds will expand the tech team, scale the platform, enhance user experience, develop new features such as free-to-play modes and fiat payment options, and spearhead Fungiball’s international expansion, with an initial focus on North America.

Fungiball Co-Founder and CEO Jean Matias says

We’re just getting started. Our vision is to become the leading digital tennis platform, offering everything from gameplay and fan engagement to content consumption, as well as a new revenue stream for professional tennis players.

This funding will help us sustain growth, accelerate geographic expansion, and strengthen our team.

A Bold Vision for the Future of Tennis

Leveraging cutting-edge technology, partnerships with top athletes and sports organisations, and an innovative gameplay model, Fungiball is reshaping how fans engage with tennis while providing new revenue streams for players.

Since its official launch in January 2024, Fungiball has attracted over 5,000 registered users and rapidly built a dedicated community of tennis fans and fantasy sports enthusiasts. It is well-positioned to reach an even wider audience in the coming months. The global tennis industry is valued at over $6 billion, and the tennis equipment market is forecast to reach $7.5 billion by 2025.

Fungiball’s revenue model is centred around the sale of player cards via auctions and a secondary trading market where users can exchange cards. This approach not only creates additional revenue streams for the company but also allows tennis players to benefit from their platform involvement financially. Fungiball’s blend of technology with the tennis world and its ambitious vision for revolutionising the sport place it at the forefront of sportstech.

Welcoming Medvedev and Zverev as Ambassadors

Fungiball is also delighted to welcome tennis superstars Daniil Medvedev (career-high world No. 1) and Alexander Zverev (career-high world No. 2) as official ambassadors. Their involvement will be pivotal in raising the platform’s global profile and cementing its credibility within the sports industry, ensuring continued growth and success. Their decision to partner with Fungiball underscores the platform’s commitment to revolutionising tennis and supporting players at all levels.

Medvedev shared

I’m really excited to endorse Fungiball. I love the concept behind the platform, which brings fresh energy and innovation to tennis while giving younger players the chance to earn additional revenue.

Both Medvedev and Zverev were attracted to Fungiball’s mission to modernise tennis and create new revenue streams for players. Their involvement will be crucial in driving awareness and growth for the platform.

CEO Matias says

Daniil and Alexander bring incredible value to Fungiball.

They’re not just lending their names—they’re deeply involved in shaping the future of the sport.

Their endorsement gives us unparalleled credibility in the tennis world and helps us build vital relationships with tournaments and brands.”

Looking Ahead: Expansion and New Features

Fungiball’s ambitious future plans, led by CTO Romain Boudré, are underway. The platform is in advanced discussions with major tennis organisations, and product developments are underway, including new competitions with larger prize pools.

These initiatives will reward the growing community and make the platform more accessible, with free-to-play modes and Stripe payments simplifying entry for new users globally. Looking further ahead, Fungiball aims to create an authentic fan experience, from in-person meetings with tennis idols to VIP seats at tournaments, blending the digital and real-world tennis experience.

In a landmark deal, Fungiball has secured a multi-year partnership with Winners Alliance, the commercial affiliate of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). The partnership grants the platform rights to feature the names, images, and likenesses of over 300 top tennis players. In return for these rights, players benefit from additional revenue opportunities, increased visibility, and greater fan engagement. In May 2024, Fungiball partnered with France’s iconic sports retailer Le Coq Sportif.