Tru Skye Ventures, co-founded by Metta World Peace, has invested in a new sports technology company.
According to its website, Tru Skye Ventures is a $100 million fund for sport-tech innovation, fan engagement, health, and wellness companies established in partnership with Stephen Stokols.
On March 4, 2025, it was announced that FanUp, a fantasy sports and pop culture platform that has 2.3 million global fans, largely Gen Z (86%) and women (55%), closed a strategic financing round led by Tru Skye Ventures and 9.58 Ventures, co-founded by Fred Toney and Omar Sillah.
American tennis star Frances Tiafoe and general partners—NFL safety Jalen Mills, NFL linebacker Deion Jones, and NBA assistant coach David Vanterpool—also participated in the round, according to a news release shared with AFROTECH™.
“I’m thrilled to welcome powerhouse partners like Tru Skye Ventures and 9.58 Ventures to our strategic round,” FanUp Founder and CEO Tejas Bodiwala said in a news release. “Collectively, we’ll leverage strong network effects to unlock groundbreaking collaborations with the hottest brands, leagues, teams, and entertainers, to offer our ever-growing audience exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and prizes – while redefining the limits of our dynamic industry.”
By the numbers, FanUp has attracted 41 brand collaborations and 105 college partnerships and has been downloaded by millions of satisfied fans. The funding will now support further innovation to improve the user experience in areas that include partnerships, targeted campaigns, gaming features, contests, and exclusive watch parties.
“FanUp has unbelievable traction, and we are excited to help accelerate its continued growth,” Stokols expressed. “This latest round of financing brings together a dream team of advisors, and Metta and I are eager to add as much value as possible.”
Toney commented:
“At the focal point of culture, growth, and experiences, FanUp epitomizes the type of investment we seek at 9.58 Ventures. We are so enthusiastic about our involvement, especially at a time where the company is becoming a household name for sports and cultural experiences with the Gen Z audience. You couple their explosive growth with a top-talent team, and you’ve uncovered a winning formula with escape velocity.”
