New York-based sports fintech startup Agentiq Sports has raised $4 million to launch a platform that allows fans to invest indirectly in professional athletes’ careers.
The funding was led by venture capital firm defy.vc and a group led by the owner of two major European football clubs. Agentiq Sports plans to use the investment to launch its platform, expand its team and grow its pipeline of professional athletes.
How Agentiq Sports’ Investment Model Works
Founded by Zach Kurtz, CEO, and Reuben Abraham, CTO, Agentiq Sports is developing a platform that connects athletes seeking capital with fans interested in investing in their future earnings.
Through the platform, eligible investors can purchase securities issued by designated series of a Delaware Series LLC. Each series enters into an agreement with an athlete, providing non-debt capital and brand advisory services in exchange for a defined percentage of the athlete’s covered future on-field brand income.
The model gives athletes access to capital without taking on traditional debt, while investors receive indirect exposure to income generated under the agreement. The company says its approach offers an alternative to private athlete-equity funds, which have historically operated with limited transparency.
Agentiq Sports conducts its offerings under Regulation A, Tier 2, with qualification from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The securities issued through these offerings are freely tradable under U.S. federal securities law.
Building a Roster of Professional Athletes
Agentiq Sports’ initial athlete offerings include Justin Martinez, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Esmerlyn Valdez, an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The company has also signed St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins, Ronny Cruz and Carlos Virahonda. It aims to have more than 50 athletes on its roster within the next 12 months.
According to Agentiq Sports, its pipeline includes more than 200 professional athletes across Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL) and other major sports leagues.
The company was co-founded by Kurtz, a former Division I baseball player at the University of Richmond with experience in fintech, and Abraham, a former early employee at Pave who previously worked at NerdWallet.
With the new financing, Agentiq Sports plans to move forward with its platform launch and expand its athlete partnerships, bringing its investment model to a broader group of eligible fans.