Sports stars line up to back new venture capital fund

Cricket star Jos Buttler, who plays for Lancashire and the Manchester Originals, has joined former Manchester United footballer Chris Smalling in a group of elite superstars throwing their weight behind a new venture capital fund.

Buttler will join England Test captain Ben Stokes, Indian cricketer KL Rahul and footballers including Serge Gnabry and Hector Bellerin, in the fund, which will aim to bring together established athlete-led investment platforms to make early-stage investments.

Sky News says the new organisation will be officially launched on Monday (21 August).

Fergus and Ruari Bell, former athletes and siblings, are behind the venture and will act as managing partners.

Broad and Stokes are already heavily involved in 4CAST, an athlete-led venture capital collective.

Stokes said: “Since starting 4CAST we have seen huge benefits of athletes and public figures coming together in business and we strongly believe athletes investing together cannot be underestimated.

“By combining our resources, networks and experience, we can achieve so much more collectively than as individuals.

“The Players Fund provides a structured way for athletes to confidently step into early stage investing and to do so alongside teammates and fellow athletes.”