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Pro athletes use their stardom to profit off the field.
And more superstars like Serena Williams, Steph Curry, & Patrick Mahomes are investing in startups.
Before long, we'll see an athlete founder score an exit on par w/Beats by Dre or Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin.
A thread
And more superstars like Serena Williams, Steph Curry, & Patrick Mahomes are investing in startups.
Before long, we'll see an athlete founder score an exit on par w/Beats by Dre or Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin.
A thread
1/ Tennis star Serena Williams is a world-renowned athlete and one of the highest-paid, w/a net worth of $200M+
Through her VC firm, Serena Ventures, she has invested in 30+ companies, including Daily Harvest, Tonal, Impossible Foods, Every Mother, and Noom.
Through her VC firm, Serena Ventures, she has invested in 30+ companies, including Daily Harvest, Tonal, Impossible Foods, Every Mother, and Noom.
2/ After a PED scandal, Lance Armstrong’s earnings evaporated.
But an investment in Uber returned $20M, saving him from financial ruin.
Then, Armstrong started Next Ventures to invest in optimizing human performance, backing Oura Ring, PowerDot, and Amp Human, among others.
But an investment in Uber returned $20M, saving him from financial ruin.
Then, Armstrong started Next Ventures to invest in optimizing human performance, backing Oura Ring, PowerDot, and Amp Human, among others.
3/ Alex Rodriguez made a fortune in the MLB, but this shark's biz empire is massive.
Rodriguez invested in telehealth unicorn hims, Super Coffee, Iris Nova, and Fitplan, where he's a trainer.
A-Rod is opening UFC gyms. And he backed TruFusion gyms w/Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.
Rodriguez invested in telehealth unicorn hims, Super Coffee, Iris Nova, and Fitplan, where he's a trainer.
A-Rod is opening UFC gyms. And he backed TruFusion gyms w/Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.
4/ Packers QB Aaron Rodgers started Rx3 Growth Partners, a $50M VC firm where he's a general partner.
w/athlete-investors: Heisman winner Desmond Howard, Danica Patrick, skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, & Jets QB Sam Darnold.
Backing hims, Hydrow, Super Coffee, Hydrant, & Orgain.
w/athlete-investors: Heisman winner Desmond Howard, Danica Patrick, skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, & Jets QB Sam Darnold.
Backing hims, Hydrow, Super Coffee, Hydrant, & Orgain.
5/ For brands, the cosign of a world-class athlete is priceless
@HypericeUSA has 20+ athlete investors like Patrick Mahomes, Lindsey Vonn, Blake Griffin, & Naomi Osaka.
Purpose-built w/input from Kobe Bryant, the company is named after Bryant’s custom Nike shoe, the Hyperdunk.
@HypericeUSA has 20+ athlete investors like Patrick Mahomes, Lindsey Vonn, Blake Griffin, & Naomi Osaka.
Purpose-built w/input from Kobe Bryant, the company is named after Bryant’s custom Nike shoe, the Hyperdunk.
6/ Tonal has 20+ athlete-investors — Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, & Michelle Wie.
In Curry's case, he purchased @tonal under a pseudonym. After experiencing the product, he reached out to invest.
With $110M in new funding, a valuation over $500M, Tonal is winning w/athletes.
In Curry's case, he purchased @tonal under a pseudonym. After experiencing the product, he reached out to invest.
With $110M in new funding, a valuation over $500M, Tonal is winning w/athletes.
7/ Whoop’s wearable is a favorite among athletes.
And that’s by design. Like Apple or Tesla, the company catered to the high-end (pro athletes), expecting the tech to trickle down.
Kevin Durant, Russell Okung, and the NFLPA are @whoop investors. https://twitter.com/JoeVennare/status/1312839980427902979
And that’s by design. Like Apple or Tesla, the company catered to the high-end (pro athletes), expecting the tech to trickle down.
Kevin Durant, Russell Okung, and the NFLPA are @whoop investors. https://twitter.com/JoeVennare/status/1312839980427902979
8/ Investing is just the start.
As Jay-Z put it, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
Realizing this, the athlete-as-founder, see TB12 or Laird Superfood, will be common.
Looking ahead, a $$B athlete-owned empire will be built at the intersection of sports & fitness.
As Jay-Z put it, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
Realizing this, the athlete-as-founder, see TB12 or Laird Superfood, will be common.
Looking ahead, a $$B athlete-owned empire will be built at the intersection of sports & fitness.
𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗡𝗼. 𝟵𝟵: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗩𝗖
If you enjoyed this thread, read the full report on @fittinsider
↳ https://insider.fitt.co/issue-no-99-the-athlete-vc/
Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter for analysis on the business of fitness and wellness.
If you enjoyed this thread, read the full report on @fittinsider
↳ https://insider.fitt.co/issue-no-99-the-athlete-vc/
Then subscribe to our weekly newsletter for analysis on the business of fitness and wellness.
