The start-up will be creating new jobs in sales, marketing and product development across Europe over the next two years.
TeamFeePay, a sports technology start-up based out of Belfast, has closed a £9m equity funding round to help expand into new markets and fuel a recruitment drive.
The round was led by YFM Equity Partners, which invested £4.5m, and Investment Fund for Northern Ireland (IFNI), which threw £3m into the hat, with the total completed by £800,000 from Techstart and £700,000 from private investors.
The £70m IFNI aims to drive economic growth in the region by supporting local business and innovation. The fund offers loans ranging from £25,000 to £2m and equity investments up to £5m. Meanwhile, YFM invests between £3m and £15m in fast-growing UK businesses.
TeamFeePay was co-founded in 2021 by Liam McStravick, who has been involved in grassroots football as a coach for more than 20 years. In that time, McStravick spent a lot of time on administration, including fee collection, which he said took valuable time away from coaching. He developed TeamFeePay as a solution.
The start-up has developed a software platform that helps football coaches and clubs plan fixtures, training sessions and events, as well as track attendance and manage administrative tasks. The platform has nearly 300,000 users and supports more than 1,500 clubs. The new funding is expected to help growth in the UK, enable further expansion into Europe and fund new product development.
TeamFeePay also plans to create 75 new jobs in sales, marketing and product development roles across the UK and Europe over the next two years.
“It is fantastic to have new investors coming on board to help us on our mission to transform the business end of grassroots football across the UK, Ireland and across Europe by offering a better way to reduce administration and increase club income,” said McStravick, who is also the CEO of the company.
“Over the next two years, we will be putting more boots on the ground, investing in new technology and continuing to improve the service and club development support our expert team provides.”
TeamFeePay made it to the 2025 Deloitte Fast 50 list alongside the likes of StormHarvester, Klearcom and Aerlytix.
Mike Clarke, a partner at YFM Equity Partners, said: “We are excited to make this £4.5m growth investment into TeamFeePay, to help an innovative company scale and move into new markets while enhancing the service it offers to existing customers.
“This investment is further evidence of YFM’s commitment to supporting ambitious businesses in Northern Ireland.”
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