Agentiq Raises $4M to Let Fans Invest in Athletes' Future Income

Agentiq, a New York-based sports finance startup, has raised $4 million in funding to build a platform that lets fans invest in athletes' future income.

The round was led by defy.vc, alongside a group led by the owner of two major European football clubs, whose identity was not disclosed. defy.vc also led Agentiq's earlier $1 million pre-seed round.

The company plans to use the new funding to launch its platform, expand its team, and grow its pipeline of athletes across professional sports.

Turning Athlete Income Into an Investment

Agentiq is taking a different approach to sports fandom.

Instead of simply watching athletes, betting on games, or using fantasy sports platforms, fans can purchase investment units linked to an athlete's future on-field Brand Income.

Each athlete offering operates through its own Delaware Series LLC. Under the structure, athletes receive non-debt capital and brand advisory services in exchange for a defined percentage of eligible future Brand Income.

Investors then purchase units tied to that specific athlete.

The offerings are structured under Regulation A, Tier 2, and the company says the relevant offerings have been qualified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

However, the investments carry substantial risk.

Distributions depend on the individual series' free cash flow after fees, expenses, taxes, and reserves. Returns are not guaranteed, and investors could lose their entire investment.

Non-accredited investors are also subject to investment limits.

Starting With Professional Athletes

Agentiq's early athlete roster includes Justin Martinez, Esmerlyn Valdez, Hunter Dobbins, Ronny Cruz, and Carlos Virahonda.

Ronny Cruz, a Washington Nationals prospect and Agentiq's first signing, has an offering that allows investors to purchase up to 12,900 shares at $100 each, representing a potential offering size of $1.29 million.

The company says its initial offerings are led by Martinez and Valdez.

Martinez, 25, returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. Valdez, 22, hit 12 home runs in 31 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates through July 19 and was named National League Rookie of the Month for July.

Hunter Dobbins is another athlete signed by Agentiq. He underwent elbow reconstruction surgery in September and faces a lengthy recovery.

That highlights one of the biggest risks in the model.

An athlete's future income can change dramatically because of injury, performance, playing time, contracts, or other factors.

Building a New Fan Investment Category

Agentiq wants to build a larger network of athlete investment opportunities.

The company says it has more than 200 athletes in its pipeline across MLB, the NFL, and other leagues and wants to sign more than 50 athletes within 12 months.

The actual number of public offerings could be smaller than the athlete pipeline. A filing described by Sportico anticipated 10 to 20 athlete series in 2026 and around 20 more in 2027.

The company is effectively creating a new intersection between sports, finance, and fan engagement.

Fans already spend heavily around professional sports through tickets, merchandise, fantasy sports, betting, and collectibles.

Agentiq's pitch is that some fans may want something different: an economic connection to the athletes they follow.

The Founders

Agentiq was founded in November 2025 by Zach Kurtz and Reuben Abraham.

Kurtz is the company's co-founder and CEO. He played Division I baseball at the University of Richmond and also owns a sporting products company used by more than 50 professional players, according to the company.

Abraham serves as chief technology officer. He was employee No. 10 at compensation software company Pave and previously worked at NerdWallet.

The company says its wider team includes former professional athletes, sports agents, and data scientists who previously worked in MLB front offices.

That combination gives Agentiq experience across both the technology and sports sides of the business.

defy.vc Leads the Round

The $4 million round was led by defy.vc.

The venture firm was founded in 2016 and is based in Woodside, California. It recently closed its third fund at $300 million.

Medha Agarwal, a general partner at defy.vc, said sports fans have historically had limited ways to participate in an athlete's journey beyond watching and supporting them.

Agentiq is betting that giving fans an actual financial stake could change that relationship.

A Market With Plenty of Risk

Agentiq is entering a market where athlete income-sharing models have already produced mixed results.

Big League Advantage has faced legal disputes involving athletes including Fernando Tatis Jr. and Gervon Dexter.

Finlete, another company in the space, reportedly sold around $80,000 of a potential $500,000 offering in one of its early deals.

Vestible eventually shut down its athlete income-sharing business and moved toward working with college athletic departments.

These examples show that fan investment in athlete income is far from a proven business model.

Agentiq also operates alongside a massive sports betting and prediction market industry. Americans legally wagered nearly $167 billion on sports in 2025, according to American Gaming Association figures reported by ESPN.

Agentiq's argument is that its model is fundamentally different from betting.

Fans are not betting on whether an athlete wins a particular game. They are purchasing an investment tied to the athlete's future income.

But that also means investors carry the risks associated with the athlete's career.

What's Next?

Agentiq plans to use its new funding to launch its platform, expand its team, and increase the number of athletes available to investors.

The company ultimately wants fans to see professional athletes not just as entertainers or competitors, but as people whose careers they can financially support.

Whether that creates a durable new investment category will depend on athlete performance, investor demand, regulatory requirements, and the ability to create meaningful returns.

For now, Agentiq is asking a very different question from traditional sports platforms:

What if being a fan could come with an actual financial stake?