TheFactory Sportstech Fund
The first fund in the Nordics dedicated to Sportstech - investing in the companies shaping the future of sports, health, and performance.
The Opportunity
Sportstech is the fastest-growing venture vertical in tech today, with an expected annual growth rate of 21% through 2028. TheFactory Sportstech Fund gives investors unique exposure to carefully selected Nordic startups and scaleups at the intersection of sports, technology, and health - one of the most dynamic and underserved investment categories in the region.
Fund Overview
10MNOK
Target raise
30% Startups
10 yrs
Fund Lifetime
250k-1MNOK Ticket Size
3 yrs
Investment Horizon
Primarily Nordics
Capital Allocation
50% Scaleups
Geography
500k-3MNOK Ticket Size
Active 2-15% position
Ownership role
Case by case
20% Follow-on Investments
Our Approach
TheFactory Sportstech Fund is an actively managed early-stage fund, investing primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages. Beyond capital, we provide portfolio companies with access to expertise, a global network, and the opportunity to participate in the Sportstech Academy - our dedicated accelerator programme for sportstech companies.
We hold a board seat in each portfolio company and work closely with founders to drive growth and guide them toward a successful exit.
Fund Structure
The fund is structured as a registered AIF aimed at professional investors, managed by TheFactory Asset Management AS — a wholly owned subsidiary of TheFactory, authorised and regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet).
The management team draws on deep expertise in early-stage venture capital, supported by an investment committee, advisory board, and an advisory panel with specialised knowledge across the sports industry.
Our Track Record
Before launching the fund, TheFactory built a strong foundation through several investment vehicles known as TheFactory Angels — formerly FintechAngels, and TheFactory Norway Fund. Together, these companies have:
Invested in 80+ Startups
Achieved 6 Exits
Delivered Strong Value Development Overall
TheFactory Angels bring together 60+ angel and early-stage investors who share a passion for helping founders accelerate — while making smart, value-adding investments. For each accelerator programme, a dedicated investment company is established, managed by TheFactory AS, which holds a 22.5% ownership stake in each.
Explore Our Initial Investments
-
Foocus.ai
Foocus.ai has created technology that tracks and measures the commercial value of sponsorships. They help brands, teams, and athletes to measure and maximise their commercial value across all media in real-time.
-
Athlera
Athlera was founded to make advanced AI truly useful for real people in sports, rehab, and performance. Our team combines deep technical expertise with hands-on sports industry insight.
We connect real data with real intelligence – so coaches, athletes, and health professionals can make better decisions, faster - making this technology available through APIs.
-
RunAgain
RunAgain is the first all-in one global booking platform for runners. Think “Booking.com” for runners and organisers.
Made in Norway, growing internationally. -
MountainSnow
MountainSnow has created an Offpiste & Randonee skiing app -Skida - with 3D terrain maps, slope direction and angles, most safe routes, plus real time weather and avalanche forecasts.
-
VimScore
Vimscore is on a mission to combat inactivity. Built on exercise science, Vimscore is a virtual PT that auto-generates training exercises customised to your needs.
-
Recharge Health
Reacharge Health is an IR healer and the most powerful portable red light therapy device of its kind. A game changer in health recovery and optimization, trusted by over 25,000 users worldwide.
Ingar S. Bentsen
CEO // TheFactory
Ingar founded TheFactory in 2015 and, since its inception, has built a company with 12 employees and invested NOK 24 million through TheFactory's funds across 56 early-stage companies. He is passionate about the business of tomorrow, and in 2019, he received the 'Ecosystem Hero of the Year' award from Nordic Startup Awards for his contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Norway. Currently, he holds 13 board positions and serves as the Chairman of the Board for TheFactory Asset Management.
Investment Team
Pia Merkesdal
COO // TheFactory
Pia has been involved in the startup and development of companies since 2002, including roles at 123Tele, Mobizz, and work at Netnordic Norway until the beginning of 2017/18. She then joined TheFactory as the Chief Administration Officer and now serving as COO. Pia works closely with Ingar around following up on our portfolio companies and serves board secretary at TheFactory Group companies and investment funds.
Hans Christian Bjørne
CCO // TheFactory
Hans Christian is Co-Founder & CCO of TheFactory and works operationally with TheFactory's programs, strategic initiatives, networks, and partnerships, including the development of the Sportstech initiative.
He has entrepreneurial experience from both the USA and Norway and has spent his entire career actively working with startups, the venture capital landscape, and innovation in the Nordic region.
Hans Christian is an investor in TheFactory, TheFactory Norway Fund I, and TheFactory Sportstech Fund.
Nils Erik Høver
Styreleder // TheFactory
Nils Erik owns and runs Nomah AS, an investment company involved in real estate, publicly listed, and private investments. With a degree in Business Economics from BI and an MSc from Cass Business School, he has 15 years of national and international work experience. He is Chairman of the Board and co-owner of TheFactory, and over the past 8 years, he has been an active early-stage investor with a portfolio of nearly 90+ direct and indirect investments within Fintech, Proptech, InsureTech, Sportstech, and Food & Beverage-related start-ups. He holds several board positions and is dedicated to actively supporting his portfolio companies to ensure their success.
Simon Ruud
CEO // TheFactory
Former active alpine skier and now CEO of TheFactory Academy AS, our program business. Simon manages Sportstech Academy and is responsible for screening and selecting companies for the programs. He has a steady overview of the market and which companies align with our programs and fund strategy. Simon participates in SportstechX Bootcamp - a program about innovation and technology in the sports industry, where he builds knowledge and networks with global industry players, sportstech companies, and investors.
Advisory Board
-
![]()
Suzann "Tutta" Pettersen
Tidligere verdensmester i Golf. 20+ erfaring med investeringer i tidlig-fase og sports selskaper.
-
![]()
Juan Fuentes Fernández
LALIGA Delegate to the Nordic countries | angel investor sports (FIBAN) | board member | instructor sports management | mentor Techstars | international expansion | expert 360 sports
-
![]()
Caroline Martens
Ex. professional golf player | Panamera IMD Search
-
![]()
Ludvig "Ludde" Jensen
Reigning World Champion of cross country sprint and founder of World Sprint Series, and even tech entrepreneur.
We would be happy to tell you more about TFSF philosophy.