Football app start-up Ballr on the hunt for Hong Kong investors, as China set to be its key market
Operator of advertising-backed, free-to-play mobile game to raise up to US$20 million in new financing from private investors in the city
High-flying mobile gaming start-up Ballr is looking to raise up to US$20 million in new funding this year from Hong Kong investors, as its advertising-backed interactive football app taps into an ever-expanding fanbase across Asia-Pacific.
Still only about two months into its initial roll-out, Ballr will be covering most major leagues from this season onward, said its founder and chief executive Sam Jones, on a stopover in Hong Kong during an Asian tour to promote the company's live interactive gaming application.
Starring in Ballr's promotion were five former Manchester United stars – Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs, all part of the club’s famous “Class of 92” all-conquering side.
“I’m trying to get 100 million users in two-and-a-half years, but my wife thinks I’m mad,” Jones told South China Morning Post. “So check this out: about three billion people worldwide watch the Premier League, a billion of those watch in Asia and 350 million in [mainland] China.”
“So we only need to convert a small percentage of that global number through broadcast promotions, club partnerships and the support of players who are helping us accelerate growth in this global football community,” said Jones.
