Συνέντευξη StartUp.gr: KICKRS.NET

    Από: Startup Team

What is KICKRS.NET?

KICKRS.NET is a digital entertainment platform based on an innovative concept to better connect fans and professional football clubs. KICKRS.NET uses crowdfunding campaigns to promote the most promising young talents, allowing fans to invest in players’ future careers. Funds raised through each campaign will be handed over to the football club to either acquire or retain the featured player. KICKRS.NET helps clubs to unleash the power of their fans, with supporters able to help real players through the first steps of their professional careers. KICKRS.NET also addresses numerous industry challenges: how can we improve the bond between clubs and supporters, how can we give more young players the chance to develop into top stars and what alternative sources of football financing are available to clubs?

How does it work?

Our users have the unique opportunity to support an individual talent, invest in a pool of players or help their favourite club to reach new heights. We entirely focus on young football prospects, with our current campaign featuring the Greek U19 player Panagiotis Kynigopoulos.

Tell us a few words about the founders:

Συνέντευξη StartUp.gr: KICKRS.NET

Christoph Hornung (CEO) and Dr. Daniel Hildebrand (CSO) have started working on KICKRS.NET in spring 2014. Having worked for Morgan Stanley, Roland Berger and Rocket Internet, the two Germans have always aspired to launch their own venture and combine work with their biggest passion: football. The team’s main motivation is to make theKICKRS.NET mission become true and generate an everlasting impact on professional football. 

How did you come up with the idea?

The idea evolved during a dinner conversation about the evolution of European football transfers and the increasing importances of liquidity for any football club. The lack of digital knowledge within clubs, the fans’ desire to be closer to the game as well as inefficient and intransparent transfer-flows have convinced the two founders to create a product which will benefit all parties involved.

You are currently running a campaign on a Greek player. Tell us more about that.

Kyn is a Greece Under-19 forward who has recently joined Sint-Truidense V.V. from Grecian second division side AP Aiginiakos. Comfortable playing as both a right-winger and a striker, Kyn has all the attributes needed to succeed at the highest level. Extremely strong, fast, physical and a confident dribbler, Kyn has become one of the most promising youth prospects in Europe. 
This week the startup has already raised more than 50% of the funding and announced exclusive rewards for it’s partnered football club: Belgian 1st division club Sint Truidense VV.
So far, this campaign had earned impressive feedback from media houses and opinion leaders. The Times had reported this campaign to “become the most significant transfer of the year” as KICKRS.NET could change the world of football transfers forever.

What is your advice on young entrepreneurs?

“We are aware that we are creating a product that will have an impact on a far bigger scale than anything we have ever previously been involved in. But as we’re creating great benefit for a whole industry we are not afraid of this challenge. Big dreams are the most important ingredient in the recipe for great achievements.”  –  KICKRS.NET has already started to make their football dream a reality.