Ruta.vc, the first Ukrainian fund dedicated to investing in the sport tech sector, has been launched in Ukraine. This fund aims to support both software and hardware projects at the pre-seed and seed stages. The exact amounts of future investments remain undisclosed, according to InVenture.
The team behind the fund consists of two key members: Dmytro Bondarenko, the general partner of Ruta.vc and the general director of the LIGA group of companies, and Olena Pshenychna, the managing partner, who is also an entrepreneur and business angel.
Reflecting on his experience, Bondarenko noted the significant demand for sports technology in the market and the potential for building a substantial ecosystem. He emphasized the opportunities for Ukrainian projects to achieve international reach due to extensive global connections.
The fund will target projects that are already generating sales and will offer not just financial support but also mentoring and incubation assistance. While specific investment amounts were not revealed, the fund’s website indicates that $22 million has already been invested in nine sport tech projects.
Pshenychna highlighted that sport technologies encompass much more than fitness apps and gadgets. They also include sports business management, augmented reality, esports, and data analytics. With the global trend on the rise, she noted that 34 new funds were launched in 2023 alone. Ruta.vc aspires to help Ukrainian startups enter international markets and provide them with a strong foundation.
