Top 14 Sports Analytics Investors in the US
Top 14 Sports Analytics Investors in the US
The sports analytics industry in the US focuses on utilizing data and technology to enhance athlete performance, improve team strategies, and optimize fan engagement. Companies range from startups developing AI-driven performance tracking systems to established firms providing data services for broadcasting and sports betting. Key offerings include statistical analysis, wearable technologies, and predictive analytics for injury prevention. As leagues and teams increasingly rely on data to inform decisions, the industry is expected to evolve with innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This explosive growth is driving heightened competition and investment interest across the sector.
This list features 14 notable investors in the sports analytics sector. These venture capital firms hail from major US cities such as San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Founded between 1911 and 2023, they range in size from small teams to large institutions. Together, they made a considerable impact in 2024, closing numerous deals to support athletic data innovation and technology. With high counts of investments, firms like Y Combinator and Tiger Global showcase their strong commitment to the future of sports analytics.
Top 14 Sports Analytics Investors in the US
1. Y Combinator
- Website: ycombinator.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2005
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 802
- LinkedIn: y-combinator
Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through structured programs, resources like the Startup School, and co-founder matching services. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, making it a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Notably, Y Combinator has invested in The Athletic, a digital sports media company that has raised significant funding across multiple rounds, including $50 million in Series D and $40 million in Series C. These investments highlight Y Combinator's engagement in the sports analytics domain, as The Athletic focuses on audience engagement, data, and editorial teams. Additionally, their recent investment in BeeBettor, which raised $500,000 in a Pre-Seed round, suggests an interest in sports analytics applications in betting contexts.
2. 500 Global
- Website: 500.co
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2010
- Headcount: 201-500
- Number of deals in 2024: 98
- LinkedIn: 500-startups
500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. In the realm of sports analytics, 500 Global has made notable investments, including Bayes Holding, which focuses on data analytics for sports, and Hykso, which develops wearable technology for performance tracking in combat sports. Additionally, their investment in Sportwey, a platform that connects athletes with performance data, and OpenSponsorship, which facilitates sponsorship deals in sports, further highlights their commitment to the sports analytics sector. These transactions demonstrate 500 Global's active role in fostering innovation within the sports analytics industry.
3. Plug and Play Tech Center
- Website: plugandplaytechcenter.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2006
- Headcount: 501-1000
- Number of deals in 2024: 253
- LinkedIn: plug-and-play-tech-center
Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They focus on connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities primarily in the technology sector. Notably, Plug and Play has made significant investments in the sports analytics domain, including Blinkfire Analytics, which raised $1 million to enhance social media ROI for professional sports organizations, and Prattle Analytics, which raised $3.3 million to develop sentiment analysis products. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting startups that provide analytical solutions in the sports industry, showcasing their relevance in the sports analytics investment landscape.
4. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)
- Website: av.vc
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2023
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 258
- LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in significant transactions within the sports analytics domain, including investments in Zone7, an AI platform aimed at predicting injury risks in athletes, and SportsVisio, which raised funds in a seed round in 2024. These transactions highlight the fund's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in sports analytics.
5. Insight Partners
- Website: insightpartners.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1995
- Headcount: 201-500
- Number of deals in 2024: 64
- LinkedIn: insight--partners
Insight Partners is a prominent venture capital firm based in New York, specializing in providing investment and advisory services to high-growth technology and software companies. Founded in 1995, the firm manages over $75 billion in assets and has a strong track record of supporting portfolio companies through capital investment and operational expertise. Notably, Insight Partners has invested in iSpot.tv, a company that focuses on analytics for television advertising, raising significant funds in multiple rounds, including a Series C round of $30 million in 2018. This investment highlights their engagement in the analytics space, particularly relevant to sports marketing. Additionally, they have invested in Fanatics, a leading sports merchandise company, which also leverages analytics to enhance consumer engagement and sales strategies. These transactions illustrate Insight Partners' active role in the sports analytics industry, despite their broader investment focus.
6. Accel
- Website: accel.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1983
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 101
- LinkedIn: accel-vc
Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in investing in startups and early-stage companies primarily in the technology sector. With a global presence that includes offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China, Accel has a diverse portfolio. Notably, they have invested in Hudl, a leader in sports analytics, which raised $30 million in a Series D funding round in 2017 and $72.5 million in a Series C funding round in 2015, both led by Accel. These investments highlight Accel's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the sports analytics space, making them a key player in this industry.
7. Silicon Valley Bank
- Website: svb.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1983
- Headcount: 5001-10000
- Number of deals in 2024: 31
- LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank
Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial bank founded in 1983, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. With a strong presence in Santa Clara, California, the bank offers a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management. In 2020, they participated in a Series A funding round for FORM, a sports technology company, contributing to its growth and expansion in the sports analytics space. Additionally, their involvement in various funding rounds for tech companies, such as WHOOP and FloSports, showcases their commitment to supporting innovative solutions that can enhance performance and analytics in sports. This positions Silicon Valley Bank as a significant player in the sports analytics investment landscape.
8. Intel Capital
- Website: intelcapital.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1991
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 23
- LinkedIn: intelcapital
Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. Intel Capital provides funding, strategic support, and access to Intel's extensive resources to help startups scale and innovate within the tech ecosystem. Notably, Intel Capital has made significant investments in the sports analytics domain, including a $12 million Series B investment in WSC Sports Technologies in 2016, which focuses on automating sports video highlights and analytics. They also participated in WSC Sports' Series C and Series D funding rounds, showcasing their ongoing commitment to supporting growth in sports analytics. Additionally, their earlier investments in Sportvision and Dartfish highlight their long-standing interest in sports technology and analytics, further establishing their relevance in this sector.
9. Gaingels
- Website: gaingels.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2015
- Headcount: 11-50
- Number of deals in 2024: 60
- LinkedIn: gaingels
Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm provides capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups, to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy. Gaingels has been involved in several notable transactions in the sports analytics sector, including investments in Uplift Labs, which specializes in AI-powered movement tracking and 3D analysis, and Sports Innovation Lab, which focuses on data-driven insights for the sports industry. These investments highlight Gaingels' active role in the sports analytics landscape, supporting innovative technologies that enhance performance and analytics in sports.
10. Sosv
- Website: sosv.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1995
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 170
- LinkedIn: sosv
Sosv is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. The firm provides venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow and succeed across various sectors, including health and climate technology. Notably, Sosv has made investments in AI Motion Sports, which raised funds in seed rounds in both 2018 and 2020, indicating a specific interest in the sports analytics space. This involvement highlights Sosv's capability to connect innovative companies in the sports analytics field with necessary resources and funding, further establishing its relevance in this niche.
11. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
- Website: nea.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1977
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 57
- LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors. They partner with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. Among their notable transactions, NEA invested in ScoreStream, which raised over $2.9 million in a seed round in 2015 and $800,000 in a convertible note in 2014. ScoreStream is known for its focus on sports data and analytics, which aligns with the interests of sports analytics investors. This involvement highlights NEA's potential relevance in the sports analytics industry, despite their broader investment focus.
12. General Catalyst
- Website: generalcatalyst.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2000
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 144
- LinkedIn: general-catalyst-partners
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments, providing capital and strategic guidance to startups across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has made significant investments in the sports analytics domain, particularly through their involvement with Teamworks, an athlete engagement platform that has raised substantial funding across multiple rounds (Series B, C, and D) to enhance performance and innovation in sports. Their investment in The Breakaway, a connected training app for cyclists, also highlights their interest in sports technology. Furthermore, their participation in Mobalytics, which focuses on gaming analytics, indicates a broader interest in performance analytics, which can be relevant to sports as well.
13. Tiger Global
- Website: tigerglobal.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 2001
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 25
- LinkedIn: tiger-global-management
Tiger Global Management, LLC is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in both public and private equity investments. Founded in 2001, the firm manages approximately $50 billion and focuses on innovative companies that leverage technology across various sectors. In the realm of sports analytics, Tiger Global has made significant investments, including a notable $75 million in Mojo, a company that enables betting on the performance of professional athletes, highlighting their interest in sports analytics. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Dream Sports and Dream11, which are platforms that utilize analytics for fantasy sports and betting, further demonstrating their engagement in the sports analytics industry. Their diverse portfolio and strategic investments position them as a key player in the evolving landscape of sports technology and analytics.
14. Battery Ventures
- Website: battery.com
- Type: Venture Capital
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
- Founded year: 1983
- Headcount: 51-200
- Number of deals in 2024: 23
- LinkedIn: battery-ventures
Battery Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in technology investments across various growth stages. Founded in 1983, the firm has a global presence and offers services in business development, talent acquisition, marketing, and leadership analytics to help its portfolio companies scale effectively. Notably, Battery Ventures has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Minute Media, a company that focuses on sports content and analytics. This includes significant investments such as a $40 million Series I round in February 2020, a $17 million Series F in May 2018, and several other rounds totaling over $120 million. These transactions highlight Battery Ventures' engagement in the sports analytics sector through its support of Minute Media, which operates platforms like DBLTAP that cater to sports enthusiasts and analytics.
Sports Analytics Insights: Key Investors in the US
| Investor | Headquarter | Size | Founded | Deals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y Combinator | San Francisco, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2005 | 802 |
| 500 Global | San Francisco, California, United States (USA) | 201-500 | 2010 | 98 |
| Plug and Play Tech Center | Sunnyvale, California, United States (USA) | 501-1000 | 2006 | 253 |
| Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) | Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2023 | 258 |
| Insight Partners | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 201-500 | 1995 | 64 |
| Accel | Palo Alto, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1983 | 101 |
| Silicon Valley Bank | Santa Clara, California, United States (USA) | 5001-10000 | 1983 | 31 |
| Intel Capital | Santa Clara, California, United States (USA) | 11-50 | 1991 | 23 |
| Gaingels | Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA) | 11-50 | 2015 | 60 |
| Sosv | United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1995 | 170 |
| New Enterprise Associates (NEA) | Menlo Park, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1977 | 57 |
| General Catalyst | San Francisco, California, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2000 | 144 |
| Tiger Global | New York, New York, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 2001 | 25 |
| Battery Ventures | Boston, Massachusetts, United States (USA) | 51-200 | 1983 | 23 |
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