Andy Murray to invest in UK start-ups on Seedrs

British tennis champion Andy Murray will be investing in early-stage UK businesses through equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs, in a new partnership announced today.

The deal will see Murray join Seedrs’ advisory board to provide support to start-ups operating in health, sport and wearable technology, and Murray will be “regularly” investing in these sectors on the platform.

Seedrs has said the “arrangement” will help to grow its brand in the UK and internationally but has clarified that Murray will not be offering advice to individual investors or recommending specific campaigns.

Established in July 2012, Startups 100-listed company Seedrs aims to support early-stage and pre-revenue start-ups to secure investment and has reported 15% month-on-month growth since its launch.

The partnership is said to mark the first time a high-profile sportsman has teamed up with an equity crowdfunding platform in this way.

As a keen investor with his own management agency company 77, alongside a portfolio of properties, the “arrangement” is intended to “complement” Murray’s “business interests”.

Murray commented: “I’ve always been interested in investment, and being able to get involved in an innovative way to help support British start-ups really appealed to me.

“Equally as important was working with people I trusted and who fully understood the huge responsibility of handling people’s money. I’m looking forward to working with Seedrs and the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Seedrs co-founder, CEO and Young Gun, Jeff Lynn, said of the news:

“Andy Murray is the perfect partner for Seedrs as we drive our growth to the next level. In many ways, he represents the exact combination of qualities that entrepreneurs need to be successful: determination, focus, integrity and skill.”