Liverpool Star Cody Gakpo Joins Forces with Cycling World Champion Mark Cavendish and England Rugby Skipper Maro Itoje in £43m Investment into Sports Firm APEX

Cody Gakpo, a Liverpool attacker, has joined forces with Formula One racers and rugby union stars to form an investment partnership worth £43 million (€50 million) in sports technology and entertainment.

Gakpo said on the investment: 'As an athlete-investor I think it's an opportunistic time to explore innovation and tech in sports'

The fund will invest in a variety of sports-related start-ups, and its portfolio currently includes a personalized nutrition platform for players, a virtual reality sports firm, a performance monitoring tool, and smart court technology.

Gakpo is partnering with corporate partners including as five-time Champions League winner Marcelo, former world cycling champion Mark Cavendish, and England rugby union captain Maro Itoje to invest a total of £43 million.

He'll join Maro Itoje (pictured) and Mark Cavendish in the investement into the sports tech firm

The APEX sports investment group already includes Formula One drivers Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, and Valtteri Bottas, as well as football players Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen, and Jan Vertonghen. The corporation has already invested in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s enterprise, TMRW Sports.

APEX will announce Gakpo and Co’s investments this week, and the Dutchman stated, ‘I’m pleased to join the APEX community. As an athlete-investor, I believe it is an excellent opportunity to investigate innovation and technology in sports, and I understand that every one percent improvement counts.

The fund will invest in plenty of start-ups in the sports sector and the portfolio already includes investments into nutrition and a virtual reality sports firm

‘Our approach as like-minded athletes and entrepreneurs to create change simply makes sense. We play and win together, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish.

Antonio Cacorino, APEX’s CEO and founder, met Gakpo through the football world and told Mail Sport: “Cody understands he wants to position himself more as an investor.” He understands the sports industry and intends to invest in it.

Cody Gakpo has teamed up with a group of other athletes to invest £43m into APEX Capital

‘He thinks APEX is one of the most exciting partners out there doing this. He is excited by all of these athletes’ similar approaches.

‘He’ll gradually become more involved and interact with other athletes who are enthused about this.

Apex launches sports fund with F1 driver Lando Norris | The Peninsula Qatar

‘We expanded swiftly and organically, and athletes come to us when they want to be more entrepreneurial. They understand that we are true, formed by athletes, and driven by athletes, which distinguishes us.