Monday, January 8, 2018

LA Dodgers, R/GA Launch New Sports Venture Effort

The Los Angeles Dodgers, along with partner R/GA, said on Monday morning that they are launching a brand new, sports venture effort called the Global Sports Venture Studio. According to the two, the effort will focus on startup sourcing, engagement opportunities, and investment, and is based on the prior Dodgers Accelerator programs with R/GA. The new effort--unliked the prior Dodgers Accelerator--will shift to a "rolling" model rather than a class-based, accelerator, and will also feature a curated events throughout the calendar year plus content and data efforts. The new venture studio will provide "efficient, risk-controlled innovation" through analysis, diligence, and business/creative strategy, according to the two. With the exception of Techstars, most of LA's current startup accelerators have been using a rolling, extended model for their startups, allowing them to enter at any time and remain for as long as necessary, rather than using a strict 3-month-at-a-time model. Image: Proday Founder Sarah Kunst, Magic Johnson, and Tucker Kain, Dodger CFO, from the Dodgers Accelerator.