Fungiball
Web3 fantasy tennis game with collectible NFT cards.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | €2.2m | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Fungiball is a Paris-based startup that developed a fantasy tennis platform launched in January 2024. The company was founded in 2022 by CEO Jean Matias, who was inspired to bring a higher level of engagement to tennis, similar to what fantasy gaming has done for sports like football and basketball. The platform aims to provide an interactive experience for fans while creating new revenue streams for professional tennis players outside of tournament prizes.
The business model is centered on the sale and trade of digital player cards in the form of NFTs. Revenue is generated through the auction of these player cards and a secondary market where users can trade them. Users collect NFT cards representing specific tennis skills like power, serve, return, and mental strength. They can then build teams of four players to compete in weekly tournaments that mirror the actual ATP calendar. The value and performance of the digital cards are tied to the real-world performance of the tennis players they represent. Rewards for successful gameplay include cryptocurrency (MATIC), new exclusive cards, and real-world experiences such as VIP tickets to matches and meet-and-greets with professional players.
Since its launch, Fungiball has attracted over 5,000 registered users. In October 2024, the company secured €2.2 million in a pre-seed funding round with support from investors including Cliff Capital, BPI France, Adrien Dassault, and Stephan Altmuller. The company plans to use this capital to expand its technical team, enhance the platform with features like free-to-play modes and fiat payment options, and drive international expansion, with a focus on North America, Europe, and Asia. Fungiball has established key partnerships, including a multi-year deal with the Professional Tennis Players Association's (PTPA) commercial affiliate, Winners Alliance, giving them the rights to feature over 300 top players. They have also brought on tennis stars Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev as official ambassadors to elevate the platform's global profile.
Keywords: fantasy tennis, play-to-earn, NFT, sports collectibles, blockchain gaming, Web3, sports technology, digital trading cards, fan engagement, professional tennis, NFT marketplace, MATIC, Polygon blockchain, PTPA, player cards, sports memorabilia, crypto gaming, virtual sports, tennis collectibles, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev