Building the Future of Women’s Sports
Monarch Collective, a U.S.-based investment firm exclusively focused on women’s sports, has announced its latest partnership: a landmark investment in FC Viktoria Berlin, one of Germany’s most ambitious and fast-growing women’s football clubs.
Launched in 2023, Monarch Collective was founded with a clear mission – to build world-leading women’s sports institutions that inspire, unite, and reflect this generation’s values. “We spend 100% of our time on women’s sports because we believe these properties can change the world and resonate across lifetimes,” the firm stated.
From a Grassroots Movement to a Professional Club
The story of FC Viktoria Berlin is one of innovation, community, and determination. What began in 2019 as a project among friends – Felicia Mutterer and Katharina Kurz — to celebrate the Women’s World Cup soon grew into Germany’s largest public viewing event at BRLO’s beer garden. Inspired by that success and by Angel City FC’s rise in Los Angeles, they teamed up with Ariane Hingst, Lisa Währer, Tanja Wielgoss, and Verena Pausder to create a new model for women’s football in Berlin.
Partnering with FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin, one of Germany’s oldest clubs, they launched a professional women’s team powered by nearly 250 community investors and a shared vision to redefine the sport.
A Rising Force in German Football
Since its founding, FC Viktoria Berlin has quickly become one of the most exciting teams in German football. After climbing from the RegionalLiga to the 2. Frauen Bundesliga, the club has set new standards for attendance, commercial success, and fan engagement.
In its first 10 months, Viktoria reached 1.5 billion media impressions and sold out Lichterfelde Stadium for its playoff debut in 2023. Despite competing in a lower division, the club’s commercial model rivaled top-tier European teams, attracting global partners such as Nike, Scalable Capital, Karo Healthcare, and bett1.de GmbH.
With full professional operations, Viktoria now aims to earn promotion to the 1. Frauen Bundesliga, backed by fresh investment to strengthen on-pitch performance and expand community impact.
Why Monarch Collective Chose Berlin
For Monarch Collective, the decision to invest in FC Viktoria Berlin was the result of years of research and relationship-building across European sports markets. The firm focuses on long-term, thesis-driven investments and sees Berlin as a natural home for women’s sports innovation.
“Berlin is creative, urban, and progressive – a city unafraid to challenge convention,” Monarch’s founders explained. “It’s this free-spirited energy that fuels both the city and the club’s ambition.”
Germany’s strong foundation in women’s football also played a key role. The German women’s national team holds eight UEFA Women’s Euro titles, and the Frauen Bundesliga is among the world’s top leagues, drawing more than 355,000 spectators last season.
A joint study by the DFB and Two Circles projects that the Frauen Bundesliga could reach €130 million in commercial revenue by 2031/32, as new governance models aim to further professionalize the league.
A Transatlantic Bridge for Women’s Football
Monarch Collective’s investment marks the first U.S. investment into German professional women’s football, symbolizing a bridge between two rapidly growing markets. The collaboration aims to share best practices, foster innovation, and strengthen the global ecosystem for women’s sports.
While Monarch brings experience from scaling successful women’s sports properties in the U.S., the group emphasizes close collaboration with local leaders to ensure cultural authenticity and community engagement.
“With FC Viktoria Berlin, we see a unique blend of creativity and ambition,” Monarch stated. “We see founders who share our values and our belief in what women’s football can mean for their community, their country, and the world.”
The Road Ahead
As FC Viktoria Berlin continues its pursuit of top-division football, the partnership with Monarch Collective signals a new era for women’s sports investment – one that bridges continents, inspires communities, and builds a lasting legacy.
With shared values, entrepreneurial spirit, and a global vision, Monarch Collective and FC Viktoria Berlin are poised to redefine the future of women’s football – both in Germany and beyond.
This article was created with the assistance of AI and has been reviewed and edited by our editorial team.
