How GroundUp Works
From listing to completed deal in six simple steps. No cold calls. No guesswork. No upfront fees.
1. Create Your Profile
Whether you're a grassroots football club, university society, run club, or a local business looking to sponsor, create a free profile in under 5 minutes. Describe what you need, what you can offer, and where you're based.
2. Get AI-Matched
Our matching engine scores compatibility across budget alignment, location proximity, category fit, and what each party offers. You get ranked recommendations with plain-English explanations of why each pairing works.
3. Start a Conversation
Matched parties communicate through GroundUp's messaging system. No contact details are exchanged until a deal is initiated - keeping conversations productive and on-platform.
4. Agree Terms
When both parties are ready, GroundUp generates a simple sponsorship agreement covering payment amount, deliverables, timeline, and what happens if either side can't deliver.
5. Secure Payment
Sponsors pay through Stripe Connect: Stripe's card processing fee is added to the sponsor's total. Funds are held in escrow and released to the club on completion. GroundUp takes a 3.5% platform fee from the club's payout, deducted automatically. You only pay when a real deal completes.
6. Track Impact
Sponsors get automated reports showing what their sponsorship achieved. Clubs build reputation with verified badges and completed deal history. Everyone wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really free to list?
Yes. Free to list, free to be matched. We only charge when a deal completes - clubs pay a 3.5% platform fee from their payout. Sponsors pay Stripe's card processing fee (typically 1.4% + 20p for UK/EU cards), which is added transparently at checkout.
What types of groups can list?
Sports clubs, university societies, run clubs, youth groups, arts organisations, Scout groups. Any community group looking for sponsorship.
How does the AI matching work?
We score compatibility across budget, location, category, offerings, activity level, and social reach. Each match comes with a plain-English explanation.
Is my contact information safe?
Absolutely. Email, phone, and social handles are hidden until a deal is initiated through GroundUp. This is built in from day one.
What about payment security?
All payments go through Stripe Connect with escrow. Funds are only released when milestones are met. Both sides are protected.