Dutch Sport Tech Fund invests in bike app co-founded by Tour de France stage winner Tom Pidcock

Britain’s Ineos Grenadiers team driver Tom Pidcock celebrates as he crosses the finish line … [+] Win stage 12 of the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 165.1 km between Briancon and L’Alpe-d’Huez, in the French Alps on July 14, 2022. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON/AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Dutch Sport Tech Fund, an investment firm based in Amstelveen, Netherlands, has invested in a cycling community app co-founded by pro rider Tom Pidcock, winner of a crucial stage at this year’s Tour de France.

The fund seeks to invest in sports technology companies involved in athlete performance, data and analytics, and fan engagement.

Link My Ride, founded by Pidcock and his former teammate Jacques Sauvagnargues, will allow riders, clubs and brands to connect via a smartphone app and desktop platform.

Link my Ride app mockup

Link my ride

A statement from the Dutch Tech Sport Fund claims it is the first fund to focus solely on this market. In 2019, the sports technology market was worth $11.0 billion – 6.4% of the total sports market – and is expected to grow at 23.1% per year to reach $31.1 billion by 2024, the fund said in a statement.

The Dutch Tech Sport Fund was founded in 2020 by Mark Snijders, a former professional footballer.

Tom Pidcock of Great Britain and Team INEOS Grenadiers compete in the breakaway at the 109th … [+] Tour de France 2022, Stage 12, a 165.1 km stage from Briançon to L’Alpe d’Huez on July 14, 2022 in Alpe d’Huez, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Link My Ride is in the final stages of development before launching later this year. Pidcock won the Alpe d’Huez stage of this year’s Tour de France – one of cycling’s most famous climbs in the world.

Alexander Jannsen, CEO of the Dutch Sport Tech Fund said: “As a fund, we really wanted to break into the cycling market and community. Link my Ride stood out and ticked all the boxes; a great business model, founder, consultant and influencer; a non-profit focus, a young and ambitious team and a cool app.”

Other investments by the fund include a stake in ZEST.GOLF, a business booking site for golf courses, and Jogo, which was recently acquired by football platform 433 and Horizm, whose clients include Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Dortmund and Juventus.