Sapphire Ventures Launches $115M Sports Tech Investment Platform
Sapphire Ventures raises over $115 million for Sapphire Sport, a new platform investing in early-stage sports, media, and entertainment technology startups. The fund features backing from major global sports franchises including Manchester City owners and various NFL, NBA, and MLB teams.
Sapphire Ventures launches Sapphire Sport, an oversubscribed $115 million funds platform dedicated to early-stage technology companies. This new initiative extends the firm's existing technology investing platform into the rapidly growing sports, media, and entertainment sectors.
The fund represents a pioneering collaboration between the venture capital firm and a globally diverse group of major sports and media brands. Anchor investors include City Football Group, the owners of Manchester City, alongside team owners and executives from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS, as well as corporate partners like adidas and SAP.
Sapphire Sport currently holds five startups in its investment portfolio and focuses specifically on the intersection of sports and technology. By pairing Sapphire Ventures' investment expertise with the deep industry knowledge of its sporting partners, the platform aims to identify and scale innovative early-stage companies.