Lukas Podolski is expanding his entrepreneurial activities and launching the venture studio Kagami Studios together with Lukas Mengeler and Nenad Miljkovic.
With Kagami Studios, the three founders combine their experience across sports, media and marketing to build companies, invest in existing businesses and develop new business models.
Podolski continues to build his business portfolio
Alongside his active football career, Lukas Podolski has spent years building and developing his own businesses.
With Ice Cream United, he opened his first ice cream store in Cologne before expanding to Japan, inspired by his time at Vissel Kobe.
He later launched Strassenkicker, including the Strassenkicker Base, a platform combining sport, community and content.
The idea behind Mangal Döner also originated from Podolski himself. What started as a marketing request evolved into a scalable franchise business developed together with Metin Dağ. Today, the restaurant chain operates more than 60 locations, with around 40 additional stores already planned.
In the entertainment sector, Podolski and Markus Krampe created the Glücksgefühle Festival, which quickly became Germany’s largest music festival, attracting around 250,000 visitors. International acts such as the Backstreet Boys highlight the scale and reach of the format.
At the same time, Podolski is currently playing his fourth season for Górnik Zabrze. Beyond his role on the pitch, he has also contributed to the club structurally, particularly in marketing and organizational development. Earlier this year, Podolski also became an investor in the club.
“I realized over the last few years that I don’t just want to support projects — I want to build them myself. Kagami is the next step in continuing that journey,” says Podolski.
Experienced founding team
Alongside Podolski, two experienced partners bring their expertise to Kagami Studios.
Lukas Mengeler has worked closely with Podolski for many years and built an international network as a photographer and creative. He has worked for organizations including DAZN, FIFA and UEFA, as well as brands such as Adidas and Puma. His portfolio includes collaborations with personalities such as Lionel Messi, Conor McGregor and A$AP Rocky.
Nenad Miljkovic is a sports marketing entrepreneur and founder of Rapid Peaks, the agency he sold a majority stake in to the SalesTech Group in 2024. During that time, he worked with brands and organizations including BMW, SAP, FC Bayern München and the Schwarz Gruppe. In 2022, he also founded the venture studio Later Labs and has been focusing intensively on emerging technologies and new business models in sports.
A model built around ownership
Kagami Studios does not see itself as a traditional investor or marketing partner.
The company selectively invests in businesses and works hands-on alongside founders, particularly across brand, marketing and commercial growth.
A core part of the model is media-for-equity:
Podolski contributes his reach, network and entrepreneurial experience while becoming a shareholder together with Kagami Studios.
“I don’t want to just be the face of something. I want to be part of building it. If we do something, we go all in,” says Podolski.
Collaboration
Kagami Studios works with companies looking to grow and strengthen their brand.
Kagami selectively partners with businesses and supports them operationally throughout their next stage of growth. The goal is to build scalable companies with long-term potential.
About Kagami Studios
Kagami Studios is the venture studio founded by Lukas Podolski and focuses on building, investing in and scaling companies with a strong focus on brand, execution and long-term growth.
