The DFB invests in Coachbetter — joining forces for the digital future of grassroots football

The German Football Association (DFB) is taking a stake in Coachbetter and becoming a strategic shareholder. With this investment, the world's largest sports federation - more than 8 million members and over 24,000 clubs - is, together with Coachbetter, expanding the digital infrastructure for grassroots football.

DFB Treasurer Stephan Grunwald says: "By taking a stake in Coachbetter, we are specifically strengthening the digital ecosystem in football and promoting innovative solutions for clubs and associations."

Coachbetter is the leading platform for club and team management in football. Today, top clubs from the City Football Group (including Manchester City), Borussia Dortmund, national football associations, and thousands of grassroots clubs worldwide rely on Coachbetter. Among its shareholders are international venture capital investors Brighteye Ventures, Swiss Founders Fund, and ZEN11, as well as individuals who have shaped the game at the highest level, including Hansi Flick, Julian Draxler, and Paul Lambert.

Patrick Patzig, Co-Founder & CEO of Coachbetter, adds: "Grassroots football is facing its biggest digital transformation. The DFB, as the world's largest sports federation, becoming a shareholder is a clear signal for us: We are building the platform on which football is organized, coached and developed worldwide. Germany is the starting point - the ambition is global."

As a company within the "DFB innovation portfolio", Coachbetter develops digital solutions for grassroots football together with the federation. A central initiative is the "Digitales Vereinsheim" — a joint project for club administration and club management in grassroots football that will noticeably ease the day-to-day work of clubs, volunteers and members. The collaboration strengthens German club football and at the same time creates the foundation from which Coachbetter can continue to grow internationally. The market is enormous: worldwide there are millions of football clubs that to date remain largely underserved digitally. This is precisely where Coachbetter comes in.

"The strategic collaboration with Coachbetter is an important building block in achieving our goals - in particular, in creating new digital offerings for grassroots football and supporting our clubs," explains Peter Frymuth, DFB Vice President for Match Operations and Football Development.