Press conference with Professional Footballer, Tim Krul

Tim Krul’s Game Plan: From Professional Footballer to Savvy Investor at Web Summit Lisbon 2025

Professional Footballer and Investor Tim Krul discussed his transition from a two-decade football career to business at Web Summit Lisbon 2025. He stressed the importance for athletes to plan for post-sports life early. The business world presents distinct challenges, making early preparation crucial for learning from initial investments and mistakes.

Krul’s decision to invest was prompted by a significant injury at 28-29, leading him to consider his future beyond playing. He began investing in various companies, including “Ears,” an e-sports education platform. He highlighted e-sports’ rapid growth and “Ears'” mission to prepare the next generation for this evolving industry.

“Ears” provides education in game development, event management, and a BTEC e-sports curriculum. It operates across three continents, notably in the MENA region. Mr. Krul emphasized supporting new students to meet the diverse demands of the e-sports sector, reflecting the fast-changing global landscape.

Drawing parallels between sports and business, Mr. Krul identified “sport and people” as his core focus. The drive to excel, inherent in professional sports, fuels his business ambition. He views continuous learning and adaptation as vital, acknowledging he is still “earning his trade” and seeking knowledge.

Mr. Krul found Web Summit Lisbon 2025 invaluable for meeting and learning from highly intelligent individuals. He noted commonalities between sports and business, especially resilience. His experiences with rejection in sports prepared him to cope with similar setbacks in business, viewing them as growth opportunities.

His Web Summit experience was fantastic. Mr. Krul was honored to be invited by the Portuguese government, meeting influential figures like NASA personnel and CEOs from Make-A-Wish and Red Bull Racing. Learning from these “pinnacle of business” leaders was invaluable to him.

Mr. Krul appreciated sharing his unique sports-shaped perspective, offering a different lens on business and life. He received positive feedback on integrating sports principles like teamwork and discipline into business strategies, emphasizing that success is a collective effort.

At 37, Mr. Krul anticipates a long career in business, driven by continuous development. He was inspired by the message, “Somebody else’s limit is not your limit,” reinforcing his commitment to pursuing personal targets and dreams with resilience and discipline. He expressed gratitude for the event and his connections to Portugal.