How World Cup champion Mario Götze built a parallel career as an angel investor

Mario Götze, renowned for scoring the decisive goal that crowned Germany as the champions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is also making waves as a seasoned angel investor. His investment firm, Companion M, boasts a diverse portfolio of over 70 companies, including two that reached unicorn status in 2025—Danish fintech Flatpay and German AI startup Parloa. Götze emphasizes the importance of thorough vetting when considering investment opportunities. "I only agree to invest if the startup and its founders check all the boxes," he shared with TechCrunch. His investments typically occur at the pre-seed and seed stages, with amounts ranging between €25,000 and €50,000 ($29,000-$58,000). To streamline his investment process, Companion M concentrates on areas where Götze has developed significant expertise and connections. Interestingly, sports technology is not the primary focus of his investments. Instead, Götze's firm mainly targets B2B SaaS, software infrastructure, cybersecurity, as well as health and biotech. This focus aligns with his interests in human performance and wellness, particularly as an athlete. In 2020, Götze attracted attention for his investment in German cannabis startup Sanity Group, a move that defied trends as many European institutional investors shied away from the cannabis sector. Following Germany's recent liberalization of cannabis laws, the startup captured a notable 10% share of the German medical cannabis market in 2024. Though Götze continues to play professionally for Eintracht Frankfurt, he draws inspiration from American athlete-investors like NBA star Kevin Durant. Balancing his soccer career with investment pursuits is challenging, especially as a father of two. "I have to schedule calls before or after practices and coordinate meetings around my game schedule," he noted. Götze does not navigate this venture alone; he has built a small team within Companion M to assist with angel investments and partnerships, recognizing the importance of branding for his future career post-soccer. His role as Revolut’s first brand ambassador for Germany was partly influenced by his investment experience. As he continues to invest in both European and American markets, Götze has previously backed firms like Miami-based Arcee AI and Frankfurt's Qualifyze. Many of his portfolio companies have successfully secured follow-on funding, while he has strategically exited some investments, such as Berlin-based KoRo, allowing him to reinvest. Despite still being under contract with Eintracht Frankfurt, Götze envisions a future focused on his investment endeavors. He has expressed a desire to concentrate on this path after his soccer career ends, although he is not planning to dwell on missed investment opportunities. "There are plenty of new startups every year, and regretting past decisions leads to impulsive choices in the future," he stated, showcasing a mindset reflective of his sports career—focusing on the next goal rather than past failures.