kicker Ventures Takes a Stake in CoTrainer

The sports media company kicker is further expanding its involvement in the startup sector and is investing in the Cologne-based SportTech company CoTrainer through kicker Ventures. As part of a cash and media investment, kicker is acquiring a 7.8 percent stake in the company and will become the new lead investor.

With this investment, kicker aims to raise awareness of the platform through its high-reach channels in the coming months and drive the digital transformation of amateur soccer.

Digital Platform for Day-to-Day Club Operations

CoTrainer is developing a platform that combines club organization, training planning, and player development into a single system. The goal is to reduce the organizational burden on coaches and club officials and to simplify communication between clubs, teams, players, and parents.

According to the company, the solution is already being used by more than 100 amateur soccer clubs in German-speaking countries. Founded in 2022, the startup currently employs ten people and is continuously developing its platform to meet the needs of modern amateur clubs.

Second Round of Funding Within a Few Weeks

For CoTrainer, kicker’s investment marks the second major funding announcement in a short period of time. As recently as June 2026, the startup had completed a seed funding round in which professional soccer players Maximilian Arnold and Svenja Huth, among others, participated. With kicker Ventures, the company has now also gained a strategic investor with extensive reach in the soccer market.

More Than Just Capital

In addition to the financial investment, kicker is primarily contributing its media presence. In the future, the platform will be promoted more extensively through the channels of Germany’s largest sports media brand. For CoTrainer, this means access to a target audience of clubs, coaches, and soccer enthusiasts throughout the DACH region.

The startup aims to establish itself as the standard solution for amateur soccer and to simplify the digital organization of clubs in the long term.

Strategic Investment for Amateur Soccer

With this investment, kicker Ventures underscores its focus on young technology companies in the fields of sports, media, and digitalization. For CoTrainer, the partnership opens up the opportunity not only to grow faster but also to benefit directly from the kicker brand’s recognition and credibility.