CrownBet CEO Matt Tripp’s $600K seed funding investment in SponServe, the Australian sponsorship software start-up, builds on its early success and primes it to make even bigger inroads into the $8 billion global sponsorship market.

 

 

“At CrownBet, and in my previous roles, we’ve relied heavily on sponsorship in our marketing. As a sponsor I know first-hand how administration heavy managing sponsorships is, on both sides of the fence, and how easily things can get missed or go wrong. When I saw how SponServe addresses those painful issues I immediately realised the opportunity and wanted to be involved. It is really exciting considering it is the first software of its kind in the world” says Tripp.

 

 

Since launching in June 2015, SponServe has focused on rights holders in Australia and New Zealand. This has not only included sports but also not-for-profits, events and the Arts and, in the past 15 months, SponServe has built an impressive list. Last year, SponServe was also a finalist in the Australian Sports Technology Network’s National Sports Tech pitching competition. SponServe then went on to win the ACT Government – Sports Tech New Innovators Award which was presented by Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister.

 

 

The type of oversight and control SponServe provides simply cannot be achieved with typically used spreadsheets or non-dedicated software. As such, it is an attractive proposition for rights holders including the Brisbane Broncos who are widely regarded as having one of the best run commercial programs in Australia.

 

 

“We are really excited to partner with SponServe to streamline the administration of our sponsorship program. The platform addresses some inefficiencies that all rights holders face in tracking and allocating multiple benefits to current and potential sponsors. The system is providing us with useful technology to simplify the administration of our sponsorship accounts and is something that all rights holders will benefit from using.” says Terry Reader, General Manager, Marketing & Commercial Operations at the NRMA Insurance Broncos.

 

 

The company plans to use the investment to accelerate its international growth and will shortly be appointing a UK General Manager. Product development will also be accelerated says Mark Thompson, SponServe’s Managing Director. “We will shortly be launching a brand version so that sponsors and rights holders can connect their systems and reduce admin and risk even further but ultimately maximize their partnerships. This will give them back time which they can spend building meaningful relationships with each other as that is the foundation of any great sponsorship.”

 

 

Part of the investment will see Chris Dow become SponServe’s Chairman. Chris has extensive international business experience having founded and managed the ground-breaking UK based recycling company – Closed Loop Recycling. 

[Sponserv]