The Weekly Drop 03.09.2023

The hottest news from sports, gaming, media, web3, and fitness.

The gaming sector continues to be the standout defying the downturn in VC funding.  We also saw capital raised in sports ticketing and fantasy.  Athletes keep looking for opportunities with the sector as well. 

Top Stories

More Big Sports Funds Launched

💸 Gaming startup Believer closed a $55MM funding round to launch AAA games.  With a team from Riot Games, the company got this raise done years before a first game with A16Z, Lightspeed, and more.

Beyond The Game Portfolio Companies In The News

👏🏼 Eight Sleep named #1 most innovative wellness company.  Audio Up announces Scaramucci podcast on FTX debacle. Fount leader jams on the Not Boring podcast.

Tech news, capital raises, and more

🤝🏻 NetEase buys gamer Quantic Dream for EUR 100MM read

🎥 Macro inks $90MM for BIPOC film studio here

⚾ Jump adds $20MM for sports ticketing details

👾 Avalon raises $13MM for gaming universe more

🕹️ Arza Games gets $10MM for web3 gaming here

🚀 Champions Round closes $7MM for fantasy sports details

🏈 LiveTake launches sports social network more

🎉 Sports startups in the Comcast Sports and Stadia Ventures cohorts

Athletes in the News

⚽ Giannis buys into Nashville MLS club more

🛍️ NFL LB quits football to sell Pokemon cards here

🤝🏻 Rudy Gobert joins Trendex team details

🎾 Venus Williams joins Topspin Consumer Partners read

🏀 NBA Equity invests in Videocites and names 7 Launchpad startups

Portfolio Company Job Postings

Oura Ring (Health): Ops, Product, and Dev roles here

Eight Sleep (Fitness): Engineer, Growth, Product roles here

GreenPark Sports (Gaming): Marketing roles here