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 The world No.2 has made three investments of an undisclosed sum on
London-based crowdfunding platform Seedrs, as the sector that allows
large numbers of people to invest small amounts of capital to
finance a business venture continues to move into the mainstream.
Murray has invested in healthy eating chain Tossed, which has
already raised more than its 750,000 pound ($1.17 million)target. He
is also investing in 3D virtual reality shop builder Trilennium,
which is backed by online fashion retailer ASOS, and in e-commerce
investor Fuel Ventures, Seedrs said on Wednesday.
"The three businesses I've chosen to kick off my crowdfunding
investment portfolio are all in areas of industry I find
interesting. Healthy eating is something I have to be passionate
about as a sportsman, so Tossed was immediately one to consider, and
the other two businesses are really pushing the boundaries of
technology," Murray said in a statement.
"I'm hoping that I can learn something from how they are edging
ahead of the competition and take that vision onto the court with
me."
Murray, who became world No. 2 on Sunday after beating top player
Novak Djokovic at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, joined the Seedrs
advisory board in June.
He becomes the latest celebrity to catch onto crowdfunding.
Platforms like Kickstarter in the United States, which unlike Seedrs
does not offer equity to investors, have found backers in Hollywood
stars including Sylvestor Stallone, Zach Braff and "Family Guy"
creator Seth McFarlane as a way to finance independent films via
fans, outside the studio system. Indiegogo, another platform, has
attracted high-profile investors such as Virgin Group founder
Richard Branson.
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The alternative finance market, which includes peer-to-peer lending
and invoice trading as well as crowdfunding, has grown rapidly in
the past decade. It is predicted to reach 4.4 billion pounds by the
end of 2015, according to figures from innovation charity Nesta and
the University of Cambridge.
Crowdfunding, while a small portion of that market, has grabbed
attention, partly because of the well-known businesses becoming
involved, from Sony to Scottish ale producer BrewDog. Would-be
investors can put as little as 10 pounds into businesses in return
for a stake.
In a world of low interest rates and lack of bank financing for
small businesses, the industry has mushroomed despite concerns that
most start-ups end in failure, and that many of those participating
are not experienced investors.
($1 = 0.6383 pounds)
(Reporting By Freya Berry; Editing by Susan Fenton)
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