CrowdTransfer: The Venture Leader Fintech empowering football fans to fund

04.11.2024 08:30, Rita Longobardi

Meet Leroy Bächtold, CEO of CrowdTransfer. The Fintech startup provides a platform where football fans can participate in funding and shaping their favorite clubs and earning financial rewards based on club performance. In December, Leroy and the other nine Swiss National Fintech Team members will fly to London on a business development and investor roadshow.

Name: Leroy Bächtold
Location: Zürich
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: HEC Paris
Job title: Co-Founder & CEO
Number of employees: 12
Money raised: CHF 3.05 million 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: Awareness of the Venture Kick program and followed all Venturelab programs from then on

Leroy Bächtold, based in Zürich, is a graduate of HEC Paris with expertise in business and finance. After building a career in both corporate and startup environments, he turned to entrepreneurship, focusing on innovative, tech-driven solutions. His professional journey is marked by leadership in project management and financial analysis, as well as active engagement in national politics, advocating for free-market principles and economic freedom.

Leroy has also earned recognition as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30, highlighting his achievements in business and beyond. Additionally, he briefly represented Switzerland in the Cyber-Security European Championships, winning the European title with the national team after securing the Swiss championship. His passion for innovation and collaboration drives his commitment to making an impact in both business and society.

Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
Our solution, CrowdTransfer, helps football fans and clubs alike. For fans, it provides an opportunity to support their clubs by co-financing player transfers or the whole Team and earning financial returns based on player performance. It transforms passive supporters into active participants in the club's success. For clubs, especially smaller ones, it offers an innovative way to raise funds without relying on large investors, preserving their independence while fostering a deeper connection with their fanbase

What market are you addressing and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
We are addressing the global football market, which includes over 4,400 professional clubs and billions of fans worldwide. In particular, we're focused on Europe, with plans to expand to the USA, MENA, and Asia. The potential is massive, as fan engagement in sports has never been more important. Platforms like ours, which allow for active participation in football’s financial ecosystem, are set to capture a growing demand for transparency, community involvement, and innovative financing in the football industry.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The idea for CrowdTransfer was born out of my passion for football and a recognition of a growing disconnect between fans and clubs. As football became more commercialized, fans were feeling increasingly marginalized, especially in decisions like player transfers. I saw the opportunity to bridge this gap by giving fans a financial stake in their club’s success, empowering them to be more than just spectators.
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
The Venture Leaders Fintech roadshow presents an invaluable opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners, and mentors who understand the unique challenges of scaling a fintech platform. By engaging in a global network of fintech innovators, we can refine our strategy, improve our product offering, and expand our market presence. It’s a stepping stone to securing additional funding and forging partnerships that will accelerate our growth across multiple regions.

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Some of our key achievements include successfully building and launching our platform, securing strategic partnerships with major clubs, and receiving FIFA’s written approval to operate within their legal framework. We will also soon complete our first funding round on our platform.

What is the most challenging and rewarding aspect of being a founder?
The most challenging aspect is maintaining a balance between vision and execution, staying focused on the long-term goal while navigating the daily challenges of scaling a business. The most rewarding part is seeing how our platform empowers fans, reshapes football financing, and brings tangible value to the clubs we work with.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be adaptable. Things rarely go exactly as planned, and the ability to pivot, learn from mistakes, and make swift decisions is crucial to staying ahead in a fast-paced startup environment.

What is your favourite productivity hack/tool and why?
My favorite productivity hack is the Pomodoro Technique. It helps me break down tasks into focused 25-minute work intervals, followed by short breaks. This method enhances my focus and keeps me from feeling overwhelmed by big projects. It’s especially useful when I need to balance multiple tasks, as it creates a structured approach to tackling work in manageable chunks while ensuring regular mental refreshers. It’s simple but effective, keeping productivity high throughout the day.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
When I was a child, I dreamed of being a football player. I’ve always loved sports, and though I didn’t pursue a career on the field, I’m grateful to now be working on a project that impacts football in such a meaningful way.