The startup ecosystem has been booming over the past few years. This boom was accelerated by the digital transformation that ensued from the Covid-19 pandemic. The popularity of that ecosystem is to such an extent that it is attracting a growing number of atypical profiles.

Blaise Matuidi (photo), an Angolan native and former French professional footballer, fully entered the tech world after being a business angel for some time. Last March 22, he announced the launch of a tech investment fund.

Called Origins, the investment fund will focus on supporting Web3, video games, and crypto startups. The fund was launched in collaboration with Ilan Abehassera, co-founder and CEO of Dots, Salomon Aiach, head of German fund Earlybird’s French branch, as well as Yohan Benalouane, Matuidi’s childhood friend who plays for the Greek football club Aris Salonika.

"My interest in technology started a few years ago. When I arrived in the United States, I met Ilan who helped me make some investments. Then we got the idea to create Origins. With all the individuals contributing to the investment fund and, thanks to their popularity with some 160 million fans currently, we can spearhead very beautiful stories,” says Blaise Matuidi, the 2018 World Cup Champion. 

Origins brings together internationally renowned personalities. They include over 50 athletes like Paulo Dybala, N'Golo Kanté, Olivier Giroud, Presnel Kimpembe, Kingsley Coman, Miralem Pjanic, and Antoine Dupont. The fund is also supported by several figures from the business world. 

"Footballers are not much engaged in the tech sector although they are large consumers [of tech products]. We are going to help them invest in that sector [...] They must be aware that footballers have short careers so they need to plan their future," says Blaise Matuidi. 

Ilan, Salomon, and I are learning “every day”. “We do it stepwise like it is done for football careers. What we have to do now is to win the startup world cup,” he adds. 

Origins plans to stake €100,000 to €500,000 in early-stage projects, but its overall investment capacity has not been disclosed yet. It has already invested in two projects. The first is Ugami which provides financial solutions and rewards to gamers while the second is Yumon, an NFT platform. 

Muriel Edjo