**From the Pitch to the Boardroom: Mario Götze’s Unlikely Journey as an Angel Investor**
When we think of Mario Götze, we often associate him with scoring the winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final. But did you know that the German footballer has also built a reputation as a shrewd angel investor? As the founder of Companion M, his personal investment vehicle, Götze has a portfolio of over 70 companies, including two unicorns: Danish fintech Flatpay and German AI startup Parloa.
So, what drives Götze’s investment decisions? “I only invest in startups that check all the boxes,” he told TechCrunch. For him, that means focusing on B2B SaaS, software infrastructure, and cybersecurity, as well as health and biotech. While these areas might not be directly related to sports, they’re a natural fit for someone passionate about human performance and wellness.
One of Götze’s most notable investments is in German cannabis startup Sanity Group, a move that generated buzz in 2020. Given Germany’s recent liberalization of cannabis laws, this investment is paying off in a big way. As an athlete-investor, Götze has learned to balance his commitments, scheduling calls and meetings around his football schedule. He’s even created a small team to help him with his investments.
Götze’s portfolio includes a mix of European and US-based startups, with previous investments in Miami-based Arcee AI and Frankfurt-based Qualifyze. Several of these startups have gone on to raise significant follow-on funding, and Götze has already exited some, like Berlin-based KoRo.
When he’s not busy playing football, Götze is focused on long-term wealth consolidation. As a limited partner, Companion M has backed more than 20 venture capital firms on either side of the Atlantic. So, what’s next for Götze? He’s still under contract with his football club and is reportedly discussing an extension. When he finally retires, he plans to focus on his investment activities full-time.
But don’t expect Götze to publicly share his regrets about missed investment opportunities. “There are many new startups every year, and there may be some that you miss out on. But regretting past choices leads to making uneducated or impulsive choices in the future,” he told TechCrunch. Words of wisdom from a true sportsman: dwelling on what you missed won’t help you score the next goal.
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**Disclosure:** This article is not sponsored by Companion M or any of its portfolio companies.
