Eindhoven-based CityLegends bags €1.71M to advance its street sports and culture platform connecting athletes, creators, and fans.

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Eindhoven-based CityLegends, a platform for street sports and culture, has raised $2M (nearly €1.71M) in fresh funding to expand its reach globally and develop its technology platform.

The company operates a digital space for urban sports, street culture, and creative communities, connecting users and local scenes worldwide.

The funding round included participation from GFR Fund, Dutch Sport Tech Fund, Leisure Fund, and SportInnovator, along with follow-on investments from existing investors LUMO Labs and LeanSquare.

Andy Lürling, Founding Partner of LUMO Labs, says, “CityLegends has had an audacious global vision for their community from the get-go. We are excited to continue to be part of CityLegends’ journey going forward.”

“With also new global investors like GFR Fund from San Francisco joining the roster with unmatched expertise in shaping digital communities and cultures, we are confident CityLegends’ impact on the global urban sports community will only grow faster and stronger.”

An app for street culture

Founded in 2020 by Jimmy Hermans and Thijmen Verkerk, CityLegends runs a platform for street sports and culture that connects athletes, creators, and fans. It brings together skaters, freerunners, BMX riders, dancers, and other urban sports participants to share locations, clips, and events through a single network.

The platform combines media, gaming, and social interaction, enabling users to compete in street Esports contests, record results, and engage with local and international communities. It allows users to discover new spots, organise gatherings, and track and compare performance using digital tools built into the system.

CityLegends aims to unite 200 million athletes and reach 2 billion fans worldwide by linking digital participation with real-world activity. The company’s mission is to strengthen the visibility and structure of street culture through collaboration, technology, and accessible interaction.

Active in more than 40 cities across Europe, the US, and Asia, CityLegends continues to expand its network and operations.

CityLegends positions itself at the intersection of sports, culture, and technology, creating an ecosystem where creators, athletes, and audiences can engage through measurable digital experiences and community-driven events.

Co-founder and CEO, Jimmy Hermans, says, “Urban culture being included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are a great testament to the global recognition and appreciation for the athletic and creative abilities of its practitioners.”

“Participation already matches traditional sports like football, basketball, and soccer, but the community is still wildly underserved with regards to digital tools. This new investment allows us to expand our platform and unite 200 million urban athletes and inspire 2 billion fans worldwide.”

Thijmen Verkerk, CityLegends co-founder and CTO, adds, “Our technology is about facilitating our community. We are creating the tools to meet on the streets, compete, progress, and showcase what we stand for.”

Capital utilisation

CityLegends will use the funds to expand into new markets, improve its free and paid platform features, and grow its B2B Media unit. The company will also build tools called “culture playbooks” to help brands and partners engage with urban sports and culture communities.

Bertrand Joiret, Investment Manager at LeanSquare, says, “Leansquare chose to invest in CityLegends as part of our dedicated entertainment tech investment thesis. We believe CityLegends stands out as a specialised media platform for urban sports, addressing a fast-growing and dynamic market.”

“Their disruptive approach and innovative vision are perfectly aligned with our strategy to support projects that have the potential to reshape their industry. We are confident that CityLegends is uniquely positioned to become a leading reference in the urban sports media landscape.”