Presenting

TheFactory Sportstech Fund

TheFactory Sportstech Fund is the first fund in the Nordic region dedicated to Sportstech, representing a major initiative supporting startups and scaleups at the intersection where technology meets the sports industry

TheFactory Sportstech Fund

TheFactory Sportstech Fund (TFSF) represents a unique investment opportunity to invest in qualified and carefully selected ideas at the intersection where the sports industry and technology meet.
The fund provides a unique exposure to startups with significant growth potential while they are in the private market within an unconventional industry - Sportstech
Sportstech is the fastest-growing industry in the tech world today. Ride this wave of growth and stay abreast of market developments through our deal flow sharing and market updates.
Investing in the fund provides you with diversification into an unconventional industry, encompassing companies in various stages and with different revenue models, distinguishing it from making individual investments
Our team has experience in identifying and investing in early-stage technology companies, positioned ahead of significant potential growth

Since our inception in 2016, we have invested in 55+ companies and achieved 3 exits. TheFactory was awarded 'Best Accelerator/Incubator in the Nordics' by the Global Startup Awards in 2019. Simultaneously, our CEO/founder, Ingar S. Bentsen, received the 'Ecosystem Hero of the Year 2019' for his contributions and efforts in the Norwegian entrepreneurial community.

Additionally, we have established a unique network comprising top athletes, mentors, and industry experts through our Sportstech Academy program, specifically designed to assist companies in scaling.
We have implemented a focused investment strategy, identifying exciting deal flows, and look forward to refining our growth strategy under our active management.

TheFactory Sportstech Fund

TheFactory Sportstech Fund invests in early-stage companies within Sportstech, typically in the pre-seed and seed stages.
The fund is actively managed, providing businesses with access to capital, expertise, and a global network.
Use the categories below to navigate to each subsection. The content will also be available in the attached fund documents further down the page."
By analyzing Norwegian startup companies, we have defined six main areas that fall within Sportstech:
1. Media and Fan Engagement
2. E-sport and Gaming
3. Data Analysis and Performance Enhancement
4. Demand for Efficient Club Management Systems
5. Improved Equipment under Sports Equipment category
6. Innovation towards an Active Lifestyle and Dietary Changes fall under the main area of Active Lifestyle and Health and Wellness.
Investment Criteria: Early-stage technology companies within the Sportstech sector, exhibiting substantial growth potential and a unique competitive advantage.
Investment Target: NOK 20-50 MNOK
Fund Lifespan: 10 years.
Investment Horizon: 3 years.
Geography: Primarily Norway, but also the Nordic region, Europe, and North America.
Ownership Role: Active investor requiring a board seat in startups and ownership percentages ranging from 2-15%, and ownership percentages of 5-15% in scaleups.
Allocate 20-50% to Startups
Investment Size: NOK 0.25-1 million.
Allocate 20-40% to Scaleups
Investment Size: NOK 1-10 million.
Follow-on Investments up to 20%.
TheFactory Sportstech Fund is managed by TheFactory Asset Management, a subsidiary of TheFactory Group.
Fund Name: TheFactory Sportstech Fund AS
Fund Type: Registered AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) targeting professional investors
Administration: TheFactory Asset Management AS, with a board consisting of Ingar S. Bentsen (Chair), Preben Otter Steen, Vibeke Gwendoline Fængsrud, and Lars Martin Haavik.
TheFactory Asset Management AS will act as the fund manager of TheFactory Sportstech Fund (AIF) in accordance with AIFM regulations.
The manager will also be responsible for providing administrative, company secretarial, and marketing services to the fund. This includes general fund administration services (including calculating NAV based on data provided by the portfolio manager, accounting, and financial statement preparation).
The manager is authorized and regulated in Norway by the Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet).
The portfolio is managed by TheFactory Asset Management AS, a specialist fund management and advisory business whose experienced and entrepreneurial management team has a strong track record in early stage venture capital. The management is based in Norway and is authorised and regulated in the Norway by the Norwegian Finacial Supervisor Authority.
The Company leverages the management’s years of experience, expertise and networks in the sectors to drive value creation in its investee companies.
In addition, the management consults with an advisory panel of expertise.

Investment team

Ingar S. Bentsen

CEO @ THEFACTORY
CHAIR @ THEFACTORY ASSET MANAGEMENT

Ingar@thefactory.no
Ingar founded TheFactory in 2015 and, since its inception, has built a company with 10+ employees and invested NOK 40+ million through TheFactory's funds across 60+ early-stage companies. He is passionate about the business of tomorrow, and in 2019, he received the 'Ecosystem Hero of the Year' award from Nordic Startup Awards for his contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Norway.
Currently, he holds 13 board positions and serves as the Chairman of the Board for TheFactory Asset Management.
Pia Merkesdal

COO THEFACTORY
Pia@thefactory.no
Pia has been involved in the startup and development of companies since 2002, including roles at 123Tele, Mobizz, and work at Netnordic Norway until the beginning of 2017/18. She then joined TheFactory as the Chief Administration Officer.
TheFactory is the leading accelerator and incubator in the Nordic region within fintech and proptech, and since 2015, the accelerator has assisted more than 50 companies from the Nordics in growing and evolving.
Hans Christian Bjørne

CCO @ THEFACTORY
hc@thefactory.no
Hans Christian joined TheFactory early 2016, and has been an essential part of building TheFactory to its place as it is today. HC has held different roles within the group, amongst other he has been responsible for the first accelerator programs, for building our great mentor network and being responsible for all our corporate partnerships.
HC has experience as founder from music-tech industry and from Nordic Innovation, and has a vast network in the eco-system.

Advisory Board

Suzann "Tutta" Pettersen

Tidligere verdensmester i Golf. 20+ erfaring med investeringer i tidlig-fase og sports selskaper.
Caroline Martens

Ex. professional golf player | Panamera IMD Search
Jan Kvalheim

Ex professional beach volleyball player and media expert
Øyvind Alapnes

CEO for Norwegian Elite Soccer team TIL
Vibeke Fængsrud

CEO and founder of House of Math
Jarle Aambø

Ex. CEO Olympiatoppen
Lauren Pedersen

20+ experience in Opera software, Monner and more. Now CEO of SportAI.
Jonas Grønner

Sports commentator TV2
Pippa Boothman

20+ experience in retail, wholesale, B2B and B2C Sales and marketing
Alexander Eskeland

17 yr experience as Co-founder and CEO in SWIMS
Kristoffer Reitan

Profesjonell golfspiller på Challenge Tour. NextUp Golf Team-utøver. Medeier og styremedlem i MVK Capital AS.
📸wordup.no
Helge Lunde

CEO at Eldorado - The home to gaming, event and entertainment in Oslo. The largest gaming hub in Norway and unique in Europe with its game and entertainment offers. Central located at the old Eldorado Cinema downtown Oslo, Norway.
Joakim Nessem

Former alpine commentator, Eurosport Television. Sales/Head of Business Relations, Estate Media AS
Simon Ruud

Former alpine skiier, now CEO of TheFactory Academy and head of programs, leading up the Sportstech Academy accelerator program.