The Weekly Drop 02.09.2023
The Weekly Drop 02.09.2023
The hottest news from sports, gaming, media, web3, and fitness.
Two big new sports tech funds were recently announced. Penske Media is making moves. NFTs continue to see cash despite market conditions. Athletes keep the tech news coming.
Top Stories
Big New Funds for Sports Tech VCs
💸 Sports tech is on 🔥. Sapphire Sports announced a new $181MM fund, and Courtside Ventures closed a new $100MM fund.
More About W3 Studio
📰 In January, we announced the launch of W3 Studio – a non-profit venture program for diverse founders in Atlanta. Hear more on the Web3 w/me podcast and read about how my grandparents inspired me to start this non-profit.
Tech news, capital raises, and more
📺 Penske Media puts $100MM into Vox Media and acquires Dick Clark Productions
🏎️ Endeavor invests $40MM in SRX Racing here
⚾ Candy Digital sports NFT platform recaps with $38MM raise more
🕹️ Plai Labs raises $32MM for NFT gaming read
📚 Beek closes $13MM round for audio books details
🥕 Levels adds $7MM for glucose health here
🎙️ Versus Game CEO on podcast listen
🤝🏻 Lots of mergers in our covered sectors. COSM buys sports video company C360. Dragon Seats buys Athletic Recovery Zone. Strava buys outdoor adventure platform FATMAP. Mythical Games buys Dmarket.
Athletes in the News
🎾 Djokovic invests in Waterdrop here
🏈 Firefly raises from NFL vets Waller and Thompson read
🏀 WNBA’s Chiney Ogwumike discusses her startup investments watch
🔦 Spotlight on NFL vet Christian Ponder and his startup The Post here
Highlighting Diversity in Tech
We are moving the Diversity in Tech section from this newsletter to keep our focus on our targeted tech sectors. If you are interested in seeing stories and resources around diversity in the tech space, please subscribe to the Crypto Executive Guide. In this newsletter, we cover web3 and also our new diversity-focused venture studio W3 Studio.
Portfolio Company Job Postings
Oura Ring (Health): Ops, Product, and Dev roles here
Eight Sleep (Fitness): Engineer, Growth, Product roles here
GreenPark Sports (Gaming): Growth roles here
Fan Controlled Sports (Sports): Athletic Training roles here
Artie (Gaming): Engineer and Artist roles here