Mario Götze's new challenge: intensifying venture investments in the later stages of his football career

German soccer star, Mario Götze, has turned 33 and is entering a new phase in his life as a professional athlete. The key player who shined in the 2014 World Cup is not only preparing for retirement but has already established a solid foothold in the investment business sector. After years of careful preparation, Mario Götze is now fully engaged in his second career in venture capital.

Planning for Life After Professional Sports: Early Second Career Strategies

Mario Götze’s vision for life after his long professional career is not a recent development. About seven years ago, he began exploring entry into the venture capital field, with his first investment deal involving a startup affiliated with Dortmund University. This steady groundwork laid the foundation for his current robust investment portfolio. Going beyond the typical career path of a professional athlete, Mario Götze had been planning his path as an entrepreneur and investor from an early stage.

Startup Support Strategy via Companion-M

Mario Götze’s investment vehicle, Companion-M, focuses on innovative sectors such as software, healthcare, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. The team reviews over 100 potential investment opportunities each month and selectively makes 1-2 angel investments in companies at the seed or pre-seed stage, adopting a strategic and cautious approach. Comprising a small team of specialized advisors, they ensure high-quality investment decisions, and are considering an additional 1-2 new investments by the end of the year. Furthermore, they are exploring diversification into private credit markets and other investment areas.

Actions Indicating Interest in Technology and Cryptocurrency Markets

Mario Götze has also shown interest in the cryptocurrency and NFT markets. In the past, he changed his X account ID to mariogotze.eth and set his profile picture to a Smolverse NFT collectible, symbolizing “a step into the world of cryptocurrencies.” These actions go beyond mere investment activities, reflecting a curiosity about emerging technologies. Although he has since changed his profile picture, this market trend awareness aligns with Companion-M’s strategic focus on investing in technology companies.

Mario Götze’s initiatives serve as an ideal model for a second career among professional athletes, exemplifying the integration of sports business with investment and entrepreneurship.