World No 2 invests in three small firms that he says share his ‘dedication, hunger and standards’ via crowdfunding firm in which he is shareholder Wednesday 19 August 2015 05.43 EDT Last modified on Wednesday 19 August 2015 06.03 EDT Tennis star Andy Murray has made investments in a number of startups, including a company that builds virtual reality shops online, through e uity crowdfunding firm Seedrs. The world No 2, who joined London-based Seedr’s advisory board in June, has made three investments and will take a stake in the British businesses. Murray has invested in healthy eating chain Tossed; Trillenium, a builder of online shopping experiences that is backed by online retailer ASOS; and the Fuel Ventures Fund, which invests in e-commerce companies and is run by Mark Pearson of myvouchercodes.co.uk. “It’s important to me that I back people who I believe have the same dedication, hunger and professional standards as myself and always strive to be their best,” said Murray. “The three businesses I’ve chosen to kick off my crowdfunding investment portfolio are all in areas of industry I find interesting. I’m hoping that I can learn something from how they are edging ahead of the competition and take that vision on to the court with me.” The multi-millionaire’s off-court business interests include stakes in sports nutrition business MiTonics, mobile advertising firm Adludio, Cromlix Hotel in Kinbuck, Scotland, and his own management company, 77. Seedrs, in which Murray is also a shareholder, allows groups of investors to fund startup businesses in return for an e uity stake. “It’s great to see Andy already taking such an active interest in the businesses on Seedrs,” said Jeff Lynn, the company’s chief executive and co-founder. “The fact he has decided to make multiple investments in hungry entrepreneurs shows his commitment to building a dynamic portfolio of early-stage businesses.”