Claude Ruibal

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at SMRF Capital investing in sports and advisor to start-ups; supporting innovation in Digital Media, Content Creation and Distribution strategies

📍 Thalwil, Zurich, Switzerland🔄 Updated September 2026💼 3 investments📅 10 years investing🗓 Last invested Jan 2024𝕏 @upgrade_to_unlock
VC🌍 Switzerland
3
Total investments
0
Early stage
0
Mid stage
1
Late stage
10y
Years active

Portfolio

2 investments · sorted by recency
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Board Member
Feb 2020
H&C is the leading international equestrian sports network. Based in London, it is available globally via web, connected TV, mobile app and on various web subscriptions and pay-TV platforms by territory (including Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Prime Video). H&C’s integrated, multi-platform offering is unique in giving subscribers 24/7, year-round premium equestrian content. H&C uses state-of-the-art live production technology and social media marketing for audience engagement and development. The company’s vision is to answer the call for comprehensive competition coverage as well as supply inspiring and educational content across the broad and diverse equestrian landscape. H&C Ltd is a privately-owned network operating under a UK Ofcom licence. Its Board of Directors and management team includes Heather Killen, the CEO and Chairman of H&C TV. Ms Killen is also a partner in London-based corporate advisory and investment firm, Hemisphere Capital. Ms Killen’s experience includes as a non-executive director at ITV plc. and the development and management of Yahoo!’s business outside the US from 1996 to 2001.
Board Member
Jun 2016
Technology is no longer a passive contributor to sport. Today, fans expect tech advancements that will alter their experiences, at home, via mobile and at venues. Technology is an active partner in today's fan journeys. We're passionate about providing insights on these technologies to help sports organisations understand content automation, fan engagement, gaming, fan data, OTT streaming experiences, marketing data solutions and more technologies and trends affecting our industry. These solutions are game changers, helping us shape the future of sports.
Experience · 9 entries
All (9)
Investments (3)
Founder (2)
Board (3)
2024
Board Member
Jan 2024
It’s that moment. The final, nerve-shredding seconds that decide it all. It’s no-hopers going the distance. It’s all-stars on the ropes. It’s a wonder kid grasping greatness. It’s a legacy up in smoke. It’s Bolt in Beijing, it’s Fury off the canvas, it’s Raducanu shredding the history books. It’s fans – soulmates and strangers - watching the ultimate theatre, written in real-time. Its where you were and who you watched it with – it’s time bending, and just how massive that winning moment felt. We exist to bring fans together over sport and create these life-affirming memories. Enter FANZO. A brand uniquely equipped to help you bottle that lightning. We started out back in 2011, as a simple venue finder for sports fans in the UK called MatchPint. We now help 6 million fans every year enjoy sport in our network of 35,000 partner venues, across 6 countries. Although our purpose remains the same – bringing fans together to create unforgettable sporting memories – our goalposts have moved and ambitions grown significantly. We are a global fan activation platform, enabling brands to elevate the experience of social sports viewing with through-the-line campaigns that are slick, frictionless, measurable and memorable. Our market-leading technology helps our rights-holder and broadcaster partners across the globe bring fans together to enjoy real social interaction, with sport at the beating heart of it.
2021
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Mar 2021
SMRF Capital (Sports Media Rights Financing) has been established to invest new capital into sports Intellectual Property (IP) by securitizing media rights, commercial and digital revenue streams of Sports Rights Owners and in the process institutionalizing the sports IP asset class. SMRF Capital provides investors access to a growing and stable asset class that is de-correlated to other financial instruments.
2020
Board Member
Feb 2020
H&C is the leading international equestrian sports network. Based in London, it is available globally via web, connected TV, mobile app and on various web subscriptions and pay-TV platforms by territory (including Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Prime Video). H&C’s integrated, multi-platform offering is unique in giving subscribers 24/7, year-round premium equestrian content. H&C uses state-of-the-art live production technology and social media marketing for audience engagement and development. The company’s vision is to answer the call for comprehensive competition coverage as well as supply inspiring and educational content across the broad and diverse equestrian landscape. H&C Ltd is a privately-owned network operating under a UK Ofcom licence. Its Board of Directors and management team includes Heather Killen, the CEO and Chairman of H&C TV. Ms Killen is also a partner in London-based corporate advisory and investment firm, Hemisphere Capital. Ms Killen’s experience includes as a non-executive director at ITV plc. and the development and management of Yahoo!’s business outside the US from 1996 to 2001.
2016
Board Member
Jun 2016
Technology is no longer a passive contributor to sport. Today, fans expect tech advancements that will alter their experiences, at home, via mobile and at venues. Technology is an active partner in today's fan journeys. We're passionate about providing insights on these technologies to help sports organisations understand content automation, fan engagement, gaming, fan data, OTT streaming experiences, marketing data solutions and more technologies and trends affecting our industry. These solutions are game changers, helping us shape the future of sports.
2015
Global Head of Sports Content Partnerships
Nov 2015
GoPro helps the world to capture and share itself in immersive and exciting ways. We are a force for positivity, celebrating all things awesome while inspiring people to pursue their passions. Founded in 2002 by Nick Woodman, a photo and video enthusiast in search of a better way to film himself and his friends surfing, GoPro has grown into a relentlessly innovative brand loved around the world for its insanely versatile and enabling products. We are GoPro and we love what we build.
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Investment activity
2016–2024 · 3 investments
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