Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

Will Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that leverages the power of sport to change the world. The reach, demands and allure of the sports market make it an ideal proving ground for innovations that will scale beyond the category. That’s why Will Ventures is the first venture firm to use sports as a lens to identify novel technologies in large, adjacent markets.

Stadia Fund III is a venture capital fund managed by Stadia Ventures, based in St. Louis, Missouri. The fund focuses on investing in sports and esports startups, aiming to identify and support 4-6 promising companies twice a year. Each selected startup receives a $100,000 investment and participates in a comprehensive 14-week business development bootcamp, which includes seven sessions designed to enhance their business acumen. Founders are paired with experienced mentors and gain access to a vast network of potential clients. Over its four-year operation, Stadia Ventures has developed a portfolio of 40 companies, achieving five successful exits and helping its portfolio companies raise over $53 million in additional funding. The firm has also expanded its operations to Frisco/Dallas, further enhancing its reach in the sports business ecosystem.

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with additional offices in North America. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and late-stage pre-IPO investments, focusing on companies that have an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with relevant expertise. It offers high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors, particularly accredited alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, who previously lacked access to venture capital opportunities. Alumni Ventures Group invests between $0.01 million and $3 million in various sectors and geographies, without seeking board or observer seats. Additionally, the firm provides focused funds that enable any accredited investor to access a diverse venture portfolio, allowing for investment across different types, sectors, stages, and geographical locations.

Sapphire Sport is a pioneering investment platform focused on early-stage ventures at the intersection of sports, media, and entertainment technology. As part of Sapphire Ventures, which manages $4 billion in assets, Sapphire Sport operates with a dedicated fund of $115 million aimed at addressing opportunities within the broader sports technology market. Established in 2019 and based in Austin, Texas, this fund primarily invests in early-stage companies in the information technology sector, allocating between $3 million to $7 million across five to six startups. Sapphire Ventures, founded in 1996 and independent since 2011, has a track record of investing in innovative technology companies globally, supporting their growth into significant market players. The firm has completed over 55 exits from its portfolio and continues to partner with visionary teams to foster the development of impactful businesses.

FJ Labs is a U.S.-based investment firm established in 2015 by Fabrice Grinda. The firm operates with a stage-agnostic approach, primarily targeting marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. FJ Labs focuses its investments on seed and Series A rounds, with a financial commitment ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm has invested in a variety of notable companies, including Alibaba Group, beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, and ADORE ME.

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

General Atlantic Service Company, L.P. is a global growth equity firm that specializes in making significant minority investments in growth-oriented companies. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in New York, the firm operates additional offices across major global cities, including Beijing, London, and Singapore. General Atlantic focuses on various sectors, including computer software and services, technology, consumer, financial services, and healthcare. The firm emphasizes a collaborative approach, leveraging sector-specific expertise and a long-term investment horizon to support entrepreneurs and management teams in building exceptional businesses. With a team of over 100 investment professionals, General Atlantic is committed to driving growth and delivering strategic support to its portfolio companies worldwide.

leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners sources, funds, and drives growth of early-stage sports & health tech startups globally. leAD was founded in 2016 and was inspired by the legend of the sports industry Adi Dassler. Since its inception, leAD has taken on new companies into its business every year. With 30 companies from around the globe under its portfolio, leAD is constantly empowering founders to create their own legacy. leAD works with groundbreaking solutions across the verticals of fan engagement, connected athletes, and health & well-being and focuses on driving growth through smart investment, premier network access, and expert training. leAD has three three investment vehicles – Academy, Portfolio, and ADvantage Fund – and commercial partnerships with adidas, Citi Private Bank, Tavistock Group, OurCrowd, and Lake Nona to further support portfolio growth.

BC Partners is an international alternative investment firm established in 1986, managing over €23 billion in assets. With a significant presence in both Europe and North America, the firm has evolved alongside the private equity market, expanding its offerings to include credit and real estate platforms. BC Partners focuses on investing in market-leading businesses across seven key sectors: media, retail, technology, healthcare, banking, business services, and utilities. The firm prioritizes investments that are protected against downturns, possess strong barriers to entry, and present multiple growth and value creation opportunities. With a successful track record, BC Partners has completed over 113 investments in companies with a combined enterprise value of €145 billion, operating as an integrated team across its offices in London, Hamburg, Paris, and New York.