Total funding: $180 million from investors ST Engineering, Zebra Technologies, Youngone, Standard Industries and more, according to the company.
What it does: Arris Composites has developed a lightweight carbon fiber plate used in running shoes and functional equipment for athletes. Its generation is also used in the aerospace and customer markets.
Why it’s on the list: “Workforce innovation is a long time ago,” said Michael Proman, a spouse at Scrum Ventures, who is not an investor in Arris. “”No disrespect to Dr. Scholl, however, optimizing functionality requires a modern solution, and what Riley Reese and the Arris team have come up with is impressive. Arris produces products at scale that are smarter, lighter, more powerful and more durable.
For example, Arris has evolved the Brooks Running generation, which has been approved through World Athletics and used in Brooks Hyperion Elite 4. Several athletes ran with the progression edition of this shoe in the U. S. Olympic Marathon trials. In February, he confirmed.
Proman, who runs Scrum’s sports and entertainment investment vehicle, said Arris also holds promise because it transcends sports; its latest investment of $34 million is aimed at expanding the aerospace and customer sectors. Arris is preparing to launch its first DTC footwear product, Aurora, in addition to running with footwear brands.
The company was founded in 2017 through CEO Reese, Chief Engineer Erick Davidson, and Board Member Ethan Escowitz.
Total funding: Not disclosed. Investors come from Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez’s VCP Ventures, Bullish, Drive via DraftKings, Joyance Partners, Scrum Ventures and 458 Capital.
What it does: Bandit is a New York-based running apparel logo that has built a cult following through content, commerce, and networking, adding pop-ups at marathons and other running events.
Why it’s on the list: Running clubs are thriving lately as young people turn to them to fight loneliness. Bandit is helping to drive this trend and is in a position to capitalize on it.
Founded in 2021 by CEO Nick West, Creative Director Tim West, and Design Director Ardith Singh, the company has tapped into leadership communities in the United States and around the world.
Investor Meredith McPherron of Drive via DraftKings told Business Insider that the company has differentiated itself from classic brands by focusing on products aimed at functional runners that come with a strategically placed wallet for things like food and phones, as well as a strategy of exclusive content, such as a recent assignment that highlights the demanding situations faced by many professional runners who lack sponsorship and supports them with unbranded clothing.
“Bandit’s exclusive product and networking involvement takes them down the path of creating an iconic logo in an industry that has long craved networking and innovation,” said McPherron.
Bandit has also grown its visitor base with a club program that costs $125 per year and offers consistent discounts, such as a steady 10% reduction and anticipation on products. Its distribution has expanded to include two retail outlets in New York City, an online store, and partnerships with specialty stores around the world.
“Bandit has the potential to harness the strength of running communities around the world and leverage the continued popularity of participation/endurance events to build a billion-dollar brand,” Michael Proman, partner at Scrum Ventures, who has invested in Bandit in its sports businesses. . and an entertainment investment vehicle, he told BI.
Total funding: $8. 7 million from investors LightShed Ventures, LeAd, SeventySix Capital, Dream Ventures and GGV Capital, according to the company.
What it does: Boomerang is a lost platform for sports facilities.
Why it’s on the list: Many corporations are innovating when it comes to the on-site experience, but the lost and found area is the one that has seen the most disruption.
Boomerang is helping stadium operators run more successfully and consumers lose items.
“Boomerang will contribute to the sports and entertainment industry by reuniting enthusiasts with their lost items,” said Wayne Kimmel, managing partner at SeventySix Capital, which is an investor in Boomerang.
The company, founded in 2021 through CEO Skyler Logsdon, Chief Operating Officer Augustine Diep-Tran and Chief Executive Officer Philip Inghelbrecht, said in June that it had increased its partnerships with U. S. sports facilities in 2021. The U. S. has increased by 733% in the first part of the year.
Total funding: Not disclosed. Investors come with KB Partners, Raptor Group and Sharp Alpha Advisors.
What it does: C15 Studio powers free ad-supported streaming channels with sports houses such as racing organization Formula 1 and fighting sports promoter ONE Championship.
Why it’s on the list: This newcomer is helping the game grow in the developing FAST landscape and monetize content beyond live events. Its F1 channel is distributed on Pluto TV, Amazon’s Freevee and Samsung TV Plus, and broadcasts replays, highlights and race analysis. For example.
“I’m excited about the venture because the FAST style is largely untapped in the high-end sports market,” Steve Ahern, spouse of KB Partners, who led C15’s latest investment round, told Business Insider.
The London-based company, founded in 2023 by CEO Joe Nilsson and chairman Amory Schwartz, said its seed cycle was 75% oversubscribed. It did not disclose any other important points about its funding, adding the amount raised.
“Secular trends favor sports and leagues that opt for direct relationships with consumers who meet enthusiasts wherever they are; C15 will play a huge role in that future,” said Lloyd Danzig of Sharp Alpha Advisors, who also invested in C15.
Total financing: $38. 5 million from the Chernin Group, according to the company.
What it does: The company sells old and rare jerseys to sports fans.
Why it’s on the list: TCG’s spouse Greg Bettinelli is optimistic about the expansion of soccer in the United States thanks to events such as the Copa America final and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. FIFA, which brings the game closer to American football fans. He said the world’s most sensible foreign soccer clubs are betting more big games on the United States.
“This all ties into the progression of soccer in the United States and that’s why a company like Classic Football Shirts is incredibly exciting,” Bettinelli said.
TCG has invested in Classic Football Shirts, a UK-based company that has been around since 2006, to fuel its expansion into the United States.
The company, founded through Doug Bierton and Matthew Dale, said it generated more than $23. 7 million in cash and made operating profit of more than $2. 5 million for the 12 months to June 30. 2022.
Total funding: $5 million from investors Roger Ehrenberg’s Eberg Capital, Howard Lindzon’s Social Leverage and former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, according to the company.
What it does: Commonwealth is a platform where other people can endorse an athlete’s career and get a percentage of their earnings. It offers facilitated deals for racehorses by adding 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2022 Dubai G1 World Cup winner Country Grammar, and expanded into golf and tennis last year.
In agreements with athletes, the athlete shares a percentage of their annual source of income with investors for a specific period of time in exchange for the cash raised, which can be used for education and other professional expenses.
The platform, which the company says is fully SEC compliant, acts as an underwriter by arranging offerings and managing investor relations after the offering.
Why it’s on the list: The Commonwealth brings the fractional style that allows ownership of assets like NFTs to the game.
“The Commonwealth bridges the gap between enthusiasts who want athletes they care about and athletes who want money to exercise and grow,” investor Ehrenberg told BI.
One of its promotional themes is that it gives the feeling of owning a sport. Racehorse owners join WhatsApp teams and some Mage investors, for example, held the Winner’s Circle at the Kentucky Derby.
“From a monetary standpoint, it allows you to get exposure to the elegance of this asset that you can’t get any other way. But the other thing is the community,” Ehrenberg said.
The company, founded in 2019 through CEO Brian Doxtator and racing director Chase Chamberlin, aims to expand by racing with athletes from more sports as well as potentially leagues, Doxtator said.
Total investment: Not disclosed. It raised pre-seed investment from Tekkorp Capital.
What it does: The Trust Department, also known as DoTrust, provides equipment that can detect early signs of caution for at-risk players.
Why it’s on the list: The UK-based company, founded by Charles Cohen, has expanded to work with gambling operators in the United States.
Its equipment allows operators to separate potential VIPs from those who might have problems, for example, said Tekkorp’s Matt Davey, who invested in DoTrust several years ago.
He said that during more than 25 years in the foreign sports and gaming industry, he has noticed that regulated markets struggle to keep up with technological advances and the success of virtual sports and games.
“There are huge efficiencies to be gained as well as hazards to mitigate through a data-driven predictive approach,” Davey told BI. “DoTrust is at the forefront of this, which makes it a very interesting prospect. ”
Total funding: $4 million from investors Yolo Investments, Astralis Capital Management, Andover Ventures and more, according to the company.
What it does: Forever Network, best known for its brand Basketball Forever, which has 1. 3 million fans on Instagram, is building a network of sports content brands on social media.
Why it’s on the list: Forever Network embraces its social style first for sports news, commentary, and culture beyond basketball. The Australian company, founded in 2015 through Alex Sumsky and Nick Kelland, recently filed a Series A circular to expand. their projects include creating real-money versions of their free-to-play games, such as V. O. A. T. , an NBA prediction game, to monetize and engage with their audience. United States
“What I like is that they have this new generation of basketball enthusiasts,” said investor Benjie Cherniak. “It’s their ability to attract this audience and take a look at global sports engagement. They’ve shown their network and their formula when it comes to basketball. Now they’re holding their own with soccer, hockey and baseball. “
Total funding: $54. 5 million, PitchBook. La company disclosed its funding. Investors include Signalfire, Galaxy Interactive, Sapphire Sport, Founders Fund, SV Angel, Nimble Ventures and ADvantage VC, according to the firm.
What it does: ForKeeps is designed for the next generation of sports enthusiasts to interact with games such as racing and demanding situations and social features. Users can earn virtual currency that they can redeem for virtual equipment from their favorite sports groups to showcase their fandoms.
Founded in 2019 as GreenPark Sports, the company plans to relaunch later this summer with the new ForKeeps game and logo. It is partnered with the NBA and LaLiga to offer officially authorized virtual collectibles.
Why it’s on the list: ForKeeps is tapping into the interest in virtual collectibles to engage with sports fans, especially younger generations.
“While virtual collectibles are subject to boom-and-bust cycles, there’s no denying that a significant number of sports enthusiasts, specifically millennials and Gen Z, enjoy those collectibles as a way to interact with games and communities,” said Chris Grove of Acies. Investments. Array that did not invest in the company. ” ForKeeps provides a platform for precisely the kind of fun enthusiasts demand, a platform that combines a wide diversity of exclusive virtual sports collectibles with prediction-based games in a dynamic, gaming-focused ecosystem. the network that is unlike anything online. “
ForKeeps founded through Grillo and Ken Martin.
Total funding: $1 million from investors, Roger Ehrenberg’s Eberg Capital, according to the company.
What it does: IdPair combines user gambling insights across apps and uses artificial intelligence to help detect symptoms of challenging gambling.
Why it’s on the list: Responsible gambling is a very sensible priority in the gaming industry and idPair is collaborating with state regulators to get an overview of a bettor’s activity making it less difficult to share knowledge between operators, Ehrenberg said. The main investor of idPair.
“They have developed a platform that collects secure and anonymous insights from operators to expand a nuanced understanding of a bettor’s monetary resources,” he told BI, adding that idPair also offers equipment that allows bettors to unsubscribe from marketing promotions more easily. and bonuses, and for operators to take steps to advertise the games.
“I am strongly in favor of guilty gambling,” Ehrenberg said. “For me, gambling deserves to be a laugh and a form of entertainment, not a degeneration. But I also recognize the psychology that makes it difficult. “
CEO Jonathan Aiwazian idPair in 2022.
Total funding: The startup has raised $4 million from investors, SevenSevenSix, Wheelhouse Entertainment, Courtside Ventures, and Switch VC, according to the company.
What it does: Mantel is a social network and content platform designed for other people who love collecting cards, sports memorabilia, comics, and more.
Why it’s on the list: Steve Ahern said he believes Mantel is a platform for creditors of all kinds and that there’s still a strong expansion in the collectibles market.
“Right now, creditors are using many other platforms to notice the latest trends, talk about their collections and view collectible-like content,” said KB Partners’ Ahern, who is not an investor in Mantel. “But Mantel’s comprehensive service-shop technique has the potential to be incredibly difficult in creating a much more powerful community, where beginners can receive information from the experts and where everyone can feel the need to show their collection”.
Total investment: more than “eight figures”, according to the company. In January it announced a $14. 1 million Series A2 investment in which investors added Elysian Park and Acies Investments and an investor organization added prominent angel investors.
What it does: Splash Inc. es a peer-to-peer gaming company that owns sites like RunYourPool. com to host groups and recently introduced a Splash Sports logo to host competitions.
The concept of Splash Sports is to use influencers to create survivor groups and other competitions where users can compete against each other. Creators, whom the company calls “commissioners,” can promote games and earn money when other people participate.
Why it’s on the list: After helping bring the desktop pool into the modern space, Splash is tapping into the market for free-to-play and real-money skill games and working with creators to build a network and expand its audience.
The company, founded in 2021 through co-CEOs Joel Milton and TJ Ross, said it has more than 2 million active users.
“Fans have proven time and time again that classic sports betting only addresses part of the interest other people have in combining sports, predictions and prizes,” said Chris Grove of Acies Investments, who invested in Splash. “Splash leverages one of the most popular formats in the history of cash sports gaming, billiards, to deliver a casual, social and incredibly engaging experience enjoyed by millions of American sports enthusiasts each year. “
Total investment: Not disclosed. The company announced an investment in May and investors added football stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, former NBA All-Star Steve Nash, LPGA champion Michelle Wie West, Meadowlark Media co-founder and former ESPN president John Skipper, and many others.
What it does: Unrivaled is a professional 3-on-3 women’s basketball league launching in January. Founded by women’s basketball stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the company is breaking new ground in the women’s professional sports landscape with a rebate and ownership. model. Launched in January 2025, Unrivaled will feature 30 of the world’s existing women’s basketball stars in six groups for a compressed 3-on-3 gameplay experience across the court.
Why it’s on the list: Unrivaled aims to disrupt the pay and ownership models around sports.
The company said it will give athletes justice in the league and their contract opportunities will offer the average salary in women’s professional sports, CNBC reported.
The newcomer also creates more opportunities for female athletes at a time when women’s football is becoming popular with the public and the media.
“For many years, there has been a reassuring narrative about women’s football. I am proud that we are in a time where promoting women’s football is more than just a PR move – it is a wise business decision,” Morgan said. who, through her company Trybe Ventures, helped bring together the investor organization for the launch of Unrivaled. “Audience and opportunity have reached an all-time high, and to maintain this momentum, we will need to continue investing in our media, marketing and portfolio. The time has come. “
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