Investors allege intermediary converted their equity stake into personal shareholding ahead of Madrid tournament launch
Madrid/London, January 20, 2026 – Tyron Birkmeir, a former banker at prestigious Swiss private bank Julius Baer, is facing serious allegations of investment fraud related to the high-profile Hexagon Cup padel tournament, which is set to launch in Madrid on January 28, 2026.
Two investors have come forward claiming that Birkmeir, operating through his vehicle Lurra Capital, misappropriated £1 million in funding they provided for equity participation in the celebrity-backed sporting event.
THE ALLEGATIONS
According to the investors – Portuguese investment manager Paul Coelho and Cyprus-based Wellington Investments Ltd – they each contributed £500,000 in November 2023 with the understanding they would receive equity stakes in the Hexagon Cup venture, potentially through a SAFE-style structure.
The funds were channeled through Birkmeir, who positioned himself as an intermediary and investment manager facilitating their entry into the tournament’s ownership structure.
However, when the investors sought direct confirmation from Hexagon Cup management in 2025, they made a disturbing discovery: their names appeared nowhere in the corporate registry. The only investor listed was Tyron Birkmeir himself.
FROM EQUITY TO LOAN: THE ALLEGED BAIT-AND-SWITCH
When confronted with the discrepancy, Birkmeir’s representatives allegedly claimed the arrangement had always been structured as a “profit participation loan” rather than an equity investment.
Under this recharacterization, Birkmeir has reportedly offered to return only the original £1 million principal – with no shares, no profit participation, and no stake in the tournament’s future growth.
The investors vehemently dispute this version of events. They claim:
- The original agreement explicitly promised equity participation, potentially through a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) or similar structure
- The reclassification represents an attempt to erase their ownership rights and convert their investment into Birkmeir’s personal stake
- Inconsistencies exist between earlier financial documents provided to them and current public corporate records
THE PERSONAL DIMENSION
Adding a layer of complexity to the controversy, one of the investors (Coelho) and Birkmeir were former schoolmates – a personal connection that facilitated the initial trust that led to the investment arrangement.
BIRKMEIR’S BACKGROUND
Tyron Birkmeir previously worked as a banker at Julius Baer, one of Switzerland’s leading private banking institutions known for wealth management and investment services for high-net-worth clients.
Following his departure from Julius Baer, Birkmeir established Lurra Capital, through which he has positioned himself as a facilitator for investments in sports, entertainment, and emerging ventures.
NO COMMENT FROM BIRKMEIR
As of this release, Tyron Birkmeir and Lurra Capital have not responded to requests for detailed comment on the specific allegations, beyond the reported assertion that the arrangement was always a loan structure.
Hexagon Cup management has not issued a public statement regarding the investment dispute.
WHAT’S NEXT
The controversy threatens to overshadow what was intended to be a celebratory launch for one of padel’s most ambitious tournament concepts, highlighting the risks that can emerge when investment intermediaries operate without sufficient transparency and oversight.
ABOUT HEXAGON CUP
Hexagon Cup is a celebrity-backed padel tournament featuring teams led by global icons including Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Eva Longoria, and Andy Murray. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 28 – February 1, 2026, at Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain.
MEDIA CONTACT
David Luxembourg
