XV Capital makes Board appointment to drive global sports tech expansion

September 18, 2023

Leading sports advisory and investment firm, XV Capital, founded by former Australian Rugby Union captain Stirling Mortlock and business partner James Godfrey, has expanded its Board and made key executive appointments to accelerate its growth in the multi-billion dollar global sports tech industry.

Operating at the intersection of innovation, sport, and investment, XV Capital has welcomed John James, Managing Director of USA-based Vanguard Institutional Investor Group; Angus Wilson, Senior Managing Director of UK-based FTI Consulting Limited and Mark Cameron, Chief Executive of Digital Transformation management consultancy Alyve to its Board.

Additionally, XV Capital has appointed experienced sports marketing professional Rob Smith as Chief Commercial Officer and Partner and wealth management expert Marnie McLaren as Chief Operating Officer and Partner.

Commenting on the appointments, Godfrey advised “the addition of John, Angus and Mark to our Board, and Rob and Marnie to our executive team, provides the business, our investors and clients invaluable expertise and a global network and perspective.

“The unique skills and experience they each bring will help us achieve our ambition of scaling our local operations; building an institutional grade sports technology fund; and opening offices in the US in 2026 and Europe in 2028.”

With the Australian Sports Technology Network’s (ASTN) most recent market report advising that the nation’s sports tech industry is now valued at $4.25 billion, Godfrey stated “XV Capital’s immediate focus is to scale locally to support the established sport ecosystem and to capture the tailwinds created by the golden decade of major and mega events.”

The Australian Olympic Committee has identified a $2 billion funding shortfall leading into the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. XV Capital believes private investment in sports technology, together with the sports sector embracing innovation and government providing attractive incentives, will play a critical role in helping bridge this gap.

Referencing this, Mortlock, XV Capital’, Chief Investment Officer and founding Partner, noted “there’s a huge opportunity for sports tech to help create efficiencies, reduce risk, diversify revenues, and enable sport in Australia to shine on the global stage, using a proven path of thought leadership and innovation,” said Mortlock, XV Capital’, Chief Investment Officer and founding Partner.

Two companies in XV Capital’s existing portfolio have recently received significant media attention.

Sportable Technologies and Intaneous are both working closely with the AFL on their smart ball solution to enhance officiating capabilities and provide a range of high performance, fan engagement, and other commercial applications.

Over the next three months, XV Capital will announce further equity agreements with several exciting local and international technology companies, as well as strategic partnerships that will bring new opportunities, efficiencies, and innovation into Australian sport.

Mortlock went on to say “the sports sector already represents approximately 1% of Australia’s GDP and we believe it’s time investors had an institutional grade solution to access opportunities in this sector.

“The US sports investment market is by far the most advanced in the world with family offices, global investment banks, venture capital, private equity and the like, all looking to access a sector that has been uncorrelated to traditional market conditions and performed well over the long term.”

For more information about XV Capital, go to www.xvcapitaladvisory.com

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