SAO PAULO: Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has come on board as an angel investor for US based venture capital firm 5xMais,
It specializes in analysing the performance of start-up companies worldwide through artificial intelligence and works with athletes co-investing in them.
His business partners will be investing $75 million in 5xMais, which aims to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem by 2022 by roping in and supporting more than 2,000 start-up companies across 12 countries. The 38-year-old will also serve as the brand’s global ambassador, publicizing and expanding opportunities in the investment market.
Ronaldinho said that with this investment, his long-term desire to have a future in the business world has been fulfilled. He was looking for economic, social and technological potential as the criteria for investment.
Ronaldinho can be considered as a forward thinking game-changer, having recently launched his own cryptocurrency called Ronaldinho Soccer Coin (RSC) which has specifically been aimed towards forming an eSports business, which is widely considered to be an integral part of sport in the future.
“I’ve looked at the start-up market and it’s amazing. He has captivated me from the beginning. I know that other athletes have been studying Harvard recently to learn about the world of start-ups and investments. I hope that more players will join this universe full of innovation and opportunities.
“I want to be a mediator for athletes who want to start and succeed outside the fields too – from younger, early-career players to those who are already retiring. Players at different stages of their career can be partners, investors and company ambassadors in several countries,” said the former Brazilian striker.
“For us, more than courage, we carry out our purposes with applied knowledge, expertise, research, security and transparency. Now we also have the credibility and expression of our partners, as is the case of Ronaldinho. The balance is positive, since we have achieved leadership and solidity,” explains Lima Santos, CEO of 5xmais.
The investment seems to be a calculated one as the value of money invested in Brazilian startups by venture capital funds (or venture capital applied to start-up companies) grew 207% in 2017, hitting a record $860 million as compared to $279 million in 2016, according to a study by LAVCA (Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association).
