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SPORT BUFF – the award-winning leader in gamification and on-screen engagement – has attracted a further $2.5million of global investment in its seed round of funding, following successful pre-seed funding in February 2021.
Among the fresh investors in SPORT BUFF are Sport Republic (UK), Longboard Capital (US), Calvert Drive (NZ) and Intrepid Ventures (CY), alongside personal investment from a number of individuals including Matthew Benham, owner of English Premier League club, Brentford FC.
Confirming the successful funding cycle, Founder and CEO Benn Achilleas said:
“This investment round is a huge endorsement for our product, delivery and vision and will drive the next big steps in our development.
“It brings significant funding combined with the huge experience, valuable connections and excellent advice of investors, which will help us to scale-up, reach new partners and deliver for viewers, brands and broadcasters.
“SPORT BUFF works for rightsholders, broadcasters and consumers as viewers are proven to play and stay with the coverage, then come back for more. We’re changing the way the world watches sport.
“We have significant global deals, with broadcasters and rightsholders, both in place and in the pipeline and we’ve continued to grow our capabilities through important hires in the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
SPORT BUFF graphics fit around the original coverage and broadcaster’s layout to give viewers extra information, engagement and interaction – through posts, polls and quizzes – that enhance their enjoyment and understanding and allow them to win rewards and prizes. Broadcasters who use BUFF are proven to be able to increase viewing time, capture valuable data and drive greater engagement with their viewers, as well as create new on-screen sponsorship assets, helping them to better engage, retain and monetize their audience.
Henrik Kraft, Chairman & Co-Founder of Sport Republic – the single biggest investor in this funding round – said:
“Our investment in SPORT BUFF at this early stage is testament not only to our belief in the business, its leadership and its delivery but the opportunity they can bring across our businesses and to the global sports and broadcast industry.
“The global sport market is worth over $50bn in media rights and $200bn in betting revenues alone. It needs ways to increase engagement, build audiences and create fresh commercial opportunities – especially with next generation audiences – and SPORT BUFF can deliver all three.
“Whilst this summer has seen challenging conditions for investment, when the right business and opportunity presents itself there will always be strong interest.”
SPORT BUFF was founded in 2019 by tech entrepreneur Benn Achilleas [CEO] and global broadcast leader Jonty Whitehead [President]. Whitehead holds 30 years of experience in TV sports production and rights working with broadcasters including beIN Media Group in the Middle East, Fox Sports in North America and Sky Sports in the UK. CEO Achilleas built sports technology and digital engagement specialists TrueFan, neoco and Playabl, working with global consumer sports and entertainment brands such as Sony Playstation, 2K Games, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City and technology partners including Samsung, YouTube and Microsoft.
Founders Benn Achilleas and Jonty Whitehead, with Ops Director Marire-Rose Schellhammer
With cutting-edge technology, proven operational delivery and deep experience in live sports broadcasting, SPORT BUFF has already worked with a range of sports rightsholders and broadcasters – including MLS (Major League Soccer), FIBA and DAZN on Basketball Champions League, FOX Sports and NRL (Rugby League), Caracol TV [Colombia], and KAN [Israel] – across a range of platforms including Web OTT, Android and iOS as well as Twitch and YouTube.
SPORT BUFF’s achievements have been recognised with a number of international awards including ‘Best Fan Engagement’ at Sport Technology Awards, ‘Best Fan Engagement’ and ‘Best Start-up’ at Sports Pro OTT Awards, and ‘Best Streaming & OTT Experience’ at Hashtag Sports Awards.
ENDS
For further information contact:
chris@sportbuff.com or mobile +44 7885 891 967