Metta World Peace’s VC Firm Backs Gen Z Fandom App FanUp
FanUp, a hub for Gen Z and female sports fans, has announced an exclusive strategic financing round with Tru Skye Ventures and 9.58 Ventures. Tru Skye Ventures, the $100 million sports tech fund co-founded by NBA Champion Metta World Peace and former Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols, teamed up with 9.58 Ventures, a high-grade set of investors and trendsetters promoting groundbreaking technological innovation across society.
Traditional sports betting currently only serves less than 9% of American fans. FanUp engages a more expansive and expanding audience through a creative, free-to-play model that provides users with interactive contests and personalized rewards across sports, pop culture, and entertainment.
The Financing Round
The strategic financing round is elevated by the help of elite athletes and industry icons like 9.58 Ventures’ co-founders and managing partners Fred Toney and Omar Sillah, investor and American tennis pro Frances Tiafoe, and general partners, NFL safety Jalen Mills, NFL linebacker Deion Jones, and basketball pro and current NBA assistant coach David Vanterpool.
The funding will help expand the platform’s growth, reach, and innovation through partnerships, influencers, specific campaigns, gaming features and contests, and custom pricing, such as exclusive drops and brand prizes, VIP watch parties, and fan experiences.
What is FanUp?
FanUp is a fantasy sports and pop culture gaming platform targeted at Gen Z, women, and casual sports enthusiasts. It is changing the way fans engage with their favorite sports, leagues, brands, and entertainment.
The company was founded in 2021, by CEO, Tej Bodiwala and has already hit early milestones like 41 brand collaborations and 105 college partnerships, a growing community with over 2.1 billion views across FanUp social media content in 2024 and a legally compliant sweepstakes and giveaways classification across all U.S. states and users from 31 additional countries.
As traditional sportsbooks and fantasy platforms struggle to appeal to Gen Z and female audiences, FanUp’s unique approach to sports entertainment has led to a diverse user base of 2.3 million global fans, including 86% Gen Z and 55% women.
Image: Vivien Killilea
