Grintafy Technologies - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Grintafy Technologies is a Saudi Arabia-based sportstech company, founded in 2017 by Majdi Allulu and headquartered in Jeddah. It operates as a social networking application and talent discovery platform for amateur footballers. The company's core mission is to "level the playing field" for aspiring footballers by providing a platform to showcase their skills, build a football CV, get rated, organize games, and connect with scouts and professional clubs globally. Grintafy aims to empower grassroots football development and bridge amateur players to professional opportunities. Its vision is to contribute to Saudi Arabia's emergence as a globally competitive sports hub, particularly in football, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. Grintafy has distinguished itself as the largest football talent discovery platform in the Middle East.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Grintafy’s main business objectives revolve around democratizing football talent discovery and development for amateur players. This includes:

Providing a platform for users to create comprehensive football CVs visible to scouts and professional clubs, enabling their journey to professionalism.

Identifying and nurturing local talent, particularly in preparation for major events like the FIFA World Cup 2034, through performance tracking, organized matches, and trials.

Leveraging technology to enhance scouting accuracy, refine player rankings, and extract deeper insights from performance data.

Specialization Areas

Grintafy specializes in offering a comprehensive digital ecosystem for amateur footballers. Its unique value propositions include:

A social networking app allowing users to create profiles, upload videos and images of their skills, organize and join games, and get rated on their performances.

The "Grinta Card," which compiles player rankings and skills, making them visible to football federations, professional clubs, and scouts.

Integrating AI and machine learning for live-streaming features and performance analysis.

Transitioning into Web3 by utilizing blockchain for transparent player ratings, rankings, and performance certifications.

Target Markets

Grintafy primarily targets market segments across the Middle East. It has actively expanded its presence in the Egyptian market and North Africa and plans further expansion into the Americas. The company aims to position itself as a global platform for football talent discovery.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Grintafy Technologies has raised a total of $3.35 million in funding across four rounds.

Seed Round (May 06, 2020): Raised $1.25 million, led by Wa'ed Ventures, with participation from Nafithat Al Mustagbal Investments.

Fund utilization: The capital was intended to invest in technology, introduce new products for scouts, clubs, and academies, expand the team, and grow into new markets.

Impact on company growth: This funding supported the integration of new technologies and expanded Grintafy's reach within the sports industry.

Bridge Round (February 16, 2022): Raised SAR 8 million (approximately $2.1 million) with participation from Wa'ed (Saudi Aramco's entrepreneurship arm), Alrashed Group (ARG Limited), Areen Investments, and strategic angel investors.

Fund utilization: These funds were earmarked to introduce a fintech solution, develop a live-streaming feature using AI and machine learning, expand subscription services, and strengthen its reach in the Egyptian market and North Africa.

Impact on company growth: This round bolstered Grintafy's technological capabilities and supported its regional expansion efforts.

Seed Round (March 11, 2024): Received an undisclosed amount from chiliZ.

Fund utilization: This strategic investment is intended to accelerate Grintafy's transition into Web3 and support its international growth, particularly by connecting major European football teams with Saudi talent.

Impact on company growth: This partnership strengthens Grintafy's technological infrastructure and broadens its international network.

Seed Round (December 04, 2024): Raised an undisclosed amount, with Adaverse participating.

Fund utilization: This investment aims to support Grintafy's Web3 transformation, focusing on using blockchain technology for football talent scouting.

Impact on company growth: This funding reinforces Grintafy's commitment to leveraging emerging technologies for secure and transparent player data management.

The company's estimated annual revenue ranges between $100,000 and $5.0 million.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

Grintafy Social Networking App:

Description: A mobile application available on the App Store and Play Store that serves as a social network for amateur footballers. It allows users to create profiles, upload videos and images of their skills, organize and join games, and receive performance ratings.

Development stage: Fully operational and continually evolving with new features such as live streaming.

Target market/condition: Amateur footballers globally, particularly in the Middle East, seeking opportunities to showcase their talent and connect with professional clubs and scouts.

Key features and benefits:

Football CV creation: Players can build a comprehensive digital CV that tracks their performance, ratings, and achievements.

Game organization: Facilitates finding, joining, or organizing local football matches and tryouts.

Performance rating & ranking: Users get rated by coaches and peers, contributing to their overall ranking and visibility.

Social engagement: Connects players worldwide, enabling messaging and skill sharing.

"Grinta Card": A digital card showcasing player rankings and skills to federations, clubs, and scouts.

Fintech Solutions:

Description: Planned integration of financial technology to streamline payments and subscription services within the platform.

Development stage: In development, with funds earmarked for its introduction.

Target market/condition: Grintafy users and partners, aiming to facilitate seamless transactions for in-app purchases, game fees, and subscription services.

Key features and benefits: Easy online payment methods and the use of virtual currency "G-Coins" for in-app activities.

AI-driven Analytics & Live Streaming:

Description: Integration of AI and machine learning for live-streaming features, performance analysis, and customized user experiences.

Development stage: Actively developed and integrated into the platform.

Target market/condition: Players, coaches, scouts, and clubs seeking advanced insights into player performance and real-time game analysis.

Key features and benefits: Enhanced scouting accuracy, refined player rankings, deeper insights from performance data, and improved player development through video analysis.

Web3 Integration (Blockchain for Player Data):

Description: Transitioning to Web3 by using blockchain technology for transparent and secure player ratings, rankings, and performance certifications.

Development stage: Underway with strategic investments from chiliZ and Adaverse.

Target market/condition: Players, clubs, and federations interested in immutable and verifiable player credentials.

Key features and benefits: Ensures data transparency, security, and global standards for talent discovery and player progression.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Core platforms and technologies: The Grintafy platform is built around a mobile social networking application, available for download on both the App Store and Play Store.

Proprietary developments: The platform features unique capabilities that enable users to:

Create detailed profiles and upload multimedia content of their skills.

Organize and participate in games, receiving ratings for their performances.

Develop a "Grinta Card" that consolidates rankings and skills, visible to football federations, professional clubs, and scouts.

Scientific methodologies: Grintafy integrates AI and machine learning to support live-streaming features and performance analysis. Future plans include utilizing AI-driven analytics to enhance scouting accuracy, refine player rankings, extract deeper insights from performance data, and customize user experience.

Technical capabilities:

Web3 and Blockchain: The company is strategically transitioning into Web3, leveraging blockchain technology for player ratings, rankings, and performance certifications to ensure transparent and secure data management.

Fintech solutions: Plans include integrating fintech solutions for seamless payments and subscription services, enabling transactions like game fees and in-app purchases through "G-Coins" virtual currency.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Majdi Allulu:

Position: Founder & CEO.

Professional background: Founded Grintafy in 2017 (some sources state 2018 or 2019).. He has over 15 years of experience in technology and a deep passion for football.

Notable achievements: Led Grintafy to become the largest talent discovery platform in the Middle East. Expressed the company's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 in sports and expanding internationally.

Key contributions to the company: The driving force behind Grintafy's mission to democratize talent discovery in football, providing opportunities for amateur players to realize their dreams. Instrumental in Grintafy's success and global expansion strategy.

Hasan Alrefaei:

Position: General Manager.

Notable achievements: Was present at the signing of a strategic collaboration agreement with Levante UD in October 2025.

Key contributions to the company: Instrumental in strategic partnerships, such as with Veo International, emphasizing the company's mission to advance sports technology.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Grintafy has demonstrated significant growth, becoming the largest football talent discovery platform in the Middle East.

Company size: Grintafy currently employs 44 people.

User growth:

Over 1 million users by 2022, expanding to more than 50 countries, primarily in the Middle East.

Nearly 2 million users by March 2024.

Surpassed 2 million players by July 2024.

Nearly 2.5 million registered users across the Middle East as of June 2025.

Key growth indicators and engagement metrics:

Over 300 million app launches.

More than 200,000 games and tryouts created.

Over 275,000 media files uploaded, with over 260 million views.

Over 800,000 player rating records.

Over 900,000 game requests, and more than 25 million messages exchanged.

Over 50,000 players have participated in Grintafy auditions held in more than 50 clubs across 40 cities in the Middle East, leading to 400 players turning their dreams into reality.

Players participating in matches in over 100 cities globally.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

Grintafy maintains an active social media presence on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. The platform itself is a social networking app, central to its engagement strategy.

Brand messaging and positioning: Grintafy positions itself as a platform that "levels the playing field" for amateur footballers, empowering them to pursue professional opportunities.

Community engagement strategies: Facilitates direct user engagement through profile creation, video/image sharing, game organization, and messaging among football enthusiasts.

Thought leadership initiatives: Actively shares press releases and news of partnerships and technological advancements across various media, amplifying its thought leadership in sportstech and talent discovery.

8. Recognition and Awards

Industry Recognition

Grintafy has garnered significant recognition within the industry:

SportsTech Startup of the Year: Awarded by Gitex.

User Milestones: Declared as the first Football Social Platform for Talent Discovery to surpass the 1 million user milestone (in 2022), and later exceeded 2 million players.

Media Coverage Highlights: The company's funding rounds, innovative partnerships, and technological advancements have been widely covered by news outlets, underscoring its pivotal role in football talent discovery in the MENA region.

9. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

Grintafy operates in the dynamic sports technology and football talent discovery sector. Its key competitors include:

Tonsser: A venture capital-backed company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, also focused on football talent discovery.

Iterpro: Another competitor in the sportstech domain.

FTS: Identified as a top competitor in the market.

Other Notable Competitors: Rovo, Kibi Sports, and GoodRec are also competitors in the market.

Grintafy differentiates itself through its strong focus on the MENA region, its substantial user base (nearly 2.5 million users), and its strategic partnerships with major football federations and clubs in the Middle East and Europe. Its advancements in Web3 integration using blockchain for player certifications and AI for enhanced analytics further provide a competitive advantage in talent identification and development.

10. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The sports sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by substantial investments and strategic initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.

Total addressable market size: The sports market in Saudi Arabia is projected to triple in value by 2030.

Growth potential: Driven by major infrastructure projects, the hosting of global events like the FIFA World Cup 2034, and a growing emphasis on grassroots development and professional leagues.

Key market trends: The market is characterized by a strong adoption of sports technology platforms to democratize talent discovery, provide opportunities for amateur athletes, and enhance scouting processes.

Market challenges and opportunities: The transition to Web3 and integration of AI reflect the dynamic nature of the sportstech market, presenting both challenges in terms of technological adoption and opportunities for innovation in player development and data management.

11. Strategic Partnerships

Grintafy has established significant collaborations to strengthen its market position and expand its capabilities:

Football Federations:

Partner organization: Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Yelo League (First Division League in Saudi Arabia).

Nature of partnership: Enable the discovery of new talents through Grintafy's player database and activity, providing performance reports to clubs.

Strategic benefits: Direct access to a large pool of amateur talent and official recognition from national football bodies.

Professional Clubs:

Partner organizations: West Ham United, Cadiz FC, Levante UD, Lega Serie A, Saudi Al Ittihad Club, Al Wehda club, Al-Ettifaq FC.

Nature of partnership: Aim to discover amateur talent and provide exposure, facilitating tryouts, guidance, and support for players' journeys to professionalism, including opportunities in the Middle East and Europe.

Strategic benefits: For instance, the partnership with Lega Serie A MENA provides Serie A club personnel full access to Grintafy's profiles, statistics, and video material, and facilitates online competitions and tryout events. The collaboration with Levante UD focuses on developing talent and transferring technical expertise to Saudi Arabia through development programs and training camps.

Tech and Investment Partners:

Partner organizations: chiliZ and Adaverse.

Nature of partnership: Strategic investments to facilitate Grintafy's transition into Web3, leveraging blockchain technology for player ratings, rankings, and performance certifications. Chiliz's investment also aims to connect major European football teams with Saudi talent.