Sports & Fitness VC Funds

Wellington Management is a global investment management firm that has expanded its private investing capabilities with a dedicated platform focusing on various sectors and stages of the private markets. This includes early-stage venture capital through to late-stage growth investments. With over $8 billion raised for private investments, the firm leverages its extensive network of over 1,000 investment professionals to provide comprehensive support to its portfolio companies. Wellington's venture capital arm, Wellington Access Ventures (WAV), recently closed its first early-stage fund, Wellington Venture Investments I, with $150 million in commitments. This fund focuses on investing in sectors such as artificial intelligence, DevOps, fintech, digital health, and consumer technology. The WAV team is dedicated to supporting diverse founder-led companies, recognizing the value in partnering with historically overlooked entrepreneurs to drive long-term growth and meaningful change. Key members of the WAV team include Jackson Cummings, Frederik Groce, Sasha McKenzie, and Van Jones. They emphasize closing the access and resource gaps in venture capital, aiming to create a more equitable future by investing in dynamic and ambitious founders from diverse backgrounds. Wellington Management's private investing platform combines deep private market expertise with the firm's broader public market knowledge, providing a robust support system for both investors and entrepreneurs.

What If Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2020 that primarily invests in mental health, addiction, and stigmatized healthcare services. Based in the United States, What If Ventures is stage-agnostic and provides flexible check sizes, focusing on early-stage investments from seed to pre-IPO. Their portfolio includes companies like TRIPP, Osmind, Alto Neuroscience, Grow Therapy, and Ellipsis Health, which are all focused on innovative solutions in the mental health space. Notable exits include Human API and several IPOs, such as ATAI Life Sciences and Field Trip Health. What If Ventures has deployed $85 million in capital across 72 portfolio companies and has over 4,100 syndicate members. The firm supports startups by addressing the gaps and stigmas in mental health care, aiming to create accessible, affordable, and effective solutions for all.

White Star Capital is a global multi-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology startups with the potential to scale internationally. With a presence in key markets like New York, London, Paris, Toronto, and Singapore, White Star has developed a reputation for backing ambitious entrepreneurs building industry-defining companies across a variety of sectors. White Star focuses on investments in Series A and B rounds, supporting startups in industries such as fintech, digital assets, e-commerce, and healthtech. Some notable portfolio companies include Tier Mobility (a leader in micro-mobility solutions), Freshly (a healthy meal delivery service acquired by Nestlé), and Butternut Box (a fast-growing pet food company). In addition, the firm has made significant strides in blockchain and Web3 technologies through its Digital Asset Fund, which targets crypto networks and blockchain-enabled businesses. The firm’s investment strategy centers around partnering closely with founders, providing not just capital but also strategic support to help startups expand across borders. White Star is deeply committed to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, aligning its investments with sustainability goals. They became a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, emphasizing their focus on creating long-term, positive impact. Led by co-founders Eric Martineau-Fortin and Jean-Francois Marcoux, the firm has successfully driven numerous exits, including Dollar Shave Club and Adore Me, reflecting their expertise in scaling companies to global success.

Will Ventures, founded by Isaiah Kacyvenski and Brian Reilly, is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm focuses on investments across the consumer, healthcare, and media sectors, emphasizing companies that intersect with sports, fitness, and wellness. Their portfolio includes notable investments such as Mighty Health, Elo Health, and Candy Digital, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative health and fitness solutions​. Will Ventures employs a hands-on approach, actively leading investment rounds and providing strategic support to their portfolio companies. They typically invest in seed and Series A stages, with an average round size of $8 million. Their investment strategy is driven by a deep understanding of the sports and health sectors, leveraging their extensive network and expertise to help startups scale and succeed. The firm is particularly interested in startups that offer scalable, technology-driven solutions in the areas of fitness, nutrition, and digital health. Companies looking to partner with Will Ventures should prepare a concise pitch that highlights their innovative approach, market potential, and strategic fit with Will Ventures' focus areas. With a track record of successful investments and a robust support system, Will Ventures continues to drive impactful advancements in the health and wellness industries.

Windham Venture Partners, founded in 2006 and headquartered in New York City, focuses on early-stage investments in the healthcare sector, particularly in medical technology, digital health, and life sciences. The firm is dedicated to investing in companies that bring significant advancements and innovations in healthcare, emphasizing transformative impact and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies. Their notable investments include companies like Alto Neuroscience, Valera Health, and SubjectWell. Windham Venture Partners has achieved successful exits with companies such as CVRx, which went public, and SubjectWell, acquired by WindRose Health Investors. The firm has made 74 investments and has seen 25 exits, showcasing a robust portfolio and strategic investment approach. Led by co-founders Roger Fine, Adam Fine, and Joseph Proto, Windham Venture Partners brings together a team of experienced professionals dedicated to supporting their portfolio companies with strategic guidance and resources. The firm collaborates with a wide range of co-investors, enhancing its ability to back high-impact ventures and drive innovation in healthcare​.

Wisdom Ventures is a unique venture capital firm founded with a mission to promote mindfulness, well-being, and human connection through its investments. The firm recently closed its first fund, raising $10 million in an oversubscribed round. The fund supports early-stage companies across sectors like mental health, AI, and workplace well-being, with notable investments in startups such as Betterleave, Alkeme, and Seven Starling. Wisdom Ventures is dedicated to nurturing a new paradigm where technology and business serve humanity rather than profit from division and addiction. Led by a team of seasoned professionals, including long-time Google executive Bradley Horowitz, meditation teacher Jack Kornfield, and well-being expert Ruchika Sikri, the firm blends capital with a commitment to personal growth and conscious leadership. The fund has attracted investors such as Reid Hoffman and Evan Williams, aligning with its vision of fostering a compassionate and mindful entrepreneurial ecosystem. Wisdom Ventures places a strong emphasis on diversity, with 50% of its Limited Partners and 80% of its founders representing diverse backgrounds. As the firm looks ahead, it plans to continue supporting aligned founders while preparing for a larger Fund II.

Woodstock Fund is a global venture capital firm with a sharp focus on blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), and Web 3.0 ecosystems. Founded in 2019, the firm has quickly built a strong portfolio across early and growth-stage companies in sectors such as decentralized protocols, NFTs, and tokenization. Notable investments include Router Protocol, a cross-chain liquidity platform, Transak, a crypto on-ramp provider, and Covalent, a blockchain data querying service. The fund is headquartered in the Cayman Islands with offices in India and the UAE, bridging investment opportunities between Asia, the Middle East, and global markets. Woodstock's investment strategy is highly research-driven, with a focus on emerging technologies that push the boundaries of Web 3.0. They target startups in Series A and pre-seed stages, with check sizes ranging from $1M to $5M. The firm is also active in infrastructure and protocol development, helping to shape governance and ecosystem growth for the projects they back. Woodstock’s investment horizon is long-term, often employing a five-year lockup period for their investors. Led by co-founders Pranav Sharma and Himanshu Yadav, Woodstock Fund has gained a reputation for its deep expertise in decentralized technologies and its hands-on approach to supporting portfolio companies. This commitment is reflected in its strategic role in building infrastructure around blockchain and guiding early-stage startups through the complex landscape of decentralized ecosystems.

Worth Capital is a UK-based venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on startups with innovative, market-disrupting products or services. They typically invest up to £400,000 in businesses that qualify for the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) or Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Their investment approach centers around identifying brands that have strong potential for growth and customer loyalty, particularly those operating in fragmented or underserved markets. Worth Capital’s portfolio is diverse, covering both B2B and consumer sectors. Notable investments include Fox Robotics, an agricultural technology company, and Kanda, a fintech solution for tradespeople. The firm values market insight and problem-solving over mere technological hype, emphasizing the importance of founders who understand their markets deeply. Geographically, Worth Capital is committed to supporting UK-based startups, with a significant portion of their investments going to businesses outside of London. Their founders, Matthew Cushen and Paul Soanes, bring decades of entrepreneurial and investment experience, providing not only capital but strategic guidance to help their portfolio companies scale successfully. For startups looking to engage, Worth Capital values clear market strategies and innovation, with a preference for businesses aiming to build enduring, loved brands​.

XFactor Ventures, founded in 2017 and based in New York, is a venture capital firm that focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments in companies with at least one female founder. Their mission is to support ambitious entrepreneurs who possess the "X Factor" and the drive to build billion-dollar companies. The firm is known for backing diverse and innovative startups across various sectors, including health tech, AI, e-commerce, and enterprise software. XFactor Ventures has made significant investments in companies like Chief, a private network for women leaders, and MixLab, a provider of personalized pet medications. They have seen successful exits from companies such as Clara Labs, The Inside, and Park Place Payments. The team at XFactor Ventures includes experienced entrepreneurs and investors like co-founders Anna Palmer and Charles Hazard Jr. The firm prides itself on a hands-on approach, providing invaluable resources and guidance to help founders navigate challenges and scale their businesses effectively. XFactor Ventures is part of the Flybridge Capital Partners community, which offers additional support and resources to its portfolio companies. The firm encourages concise and clear pitches from startups that align with their investment focus​.

Xfund is an early-stage venture capital firm that supports lateral thinkers and entrepreneurs who experiment across disciplines. Established in 2014 through a unique partnership with leading venture capital firms and top research universities, Xfund is co-managed by Patrick Chung and Brandon Farwell. The firm focuses on backing founders with multidisciplinary skills and a strong commitment to innovation and execution. Xfund aims to invest in individuals who are not only technically proficient but also possess a deep understanding of their field's broader implications. Their investment approach is designed to provide significant value through a combination of venture capital expertise, university partnerships, and industry connections. This structure allows Xfund to offer unparalleled support to its portfolio companies. The firm has raised several funds, including the latest, Xfund 3, which closed at $120 million. This fund continues Xfund's mission of fostering university-based innovation and supporting startups across various stages of growth. Xfund's notable investments include companies like Philo, Kensho, and 23andMe, reflecting their commitment to high-impact ventures. Xfund operates out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Palo Alto, California, reinforcing its connection to leading academic and innovation hubs. For more information, you can visit their official website at xfund.com.

Y Combinator, a premier startup accelerator, has backed some of the world's most successful companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe. The fund's portfolio is impressive, boasting over 5,000 startups with more than 290 private companies valued over $150 million and over 90 valued at more than $1 billion​. Y Combinator's investment focus spans several industries, primarily B2B software and services (43%), financial technology (19%), consumer (13%), and healthcare (12%)​​. Geographically, YC is centered in Silicon Valley, with 59% of its companies headquartered in the Bay Area, but it also supports startups globally, including in countries like India, the UK, and Nigeria​​. YC's strategy involves investing $150,000 in a large number of startups twice a year, providing them with three months of intensive mentorship, networking, and resources. They prefer to invest in early-stage startups and often continue to support companies through follow-on funding rounds​. The typical check size is $150,000, and YC often leads the initial seed rounds. Recently, they've been very active, continuously adding new companies to their portfolio and expanding their global reach​​. Approaching YC involves applying for their biannual batches, with a focus on showing strong product-market fit and growth potential. The team is led by notable figures such as Michael Seibel, the CEO, who brings a wealth of experience in startup growth and acceleration. YC's network of alumni and mentors is a key asset, providing ongoing support and advice to new startups​.

Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) is the corporate venture capital arm of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., established in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in sectors like robotics, transportation, fintech, insurtech, digital health, and data-driven technology. YMVSV aims to support startups that are addressing significant challenges and barriers in their respective industries by leveraging Yamaha's extensive resources and expertise. YMVSV typically invests in disruptive technologies that can bring substantial improvements to traditional industries. For instance, they led the Series A funding round for Advanced Farm Technologies, a company developing robotic farming equipment to innovate agricultural practices. This investment highlights YMVSV's commitment to supporting technologies that enhance productivity and efficiency in various sectors. Key personnel at YMVSV include CEO and Managing Director Kei Onishi, who has a background in digital transformation and corporate venture capital activities within Yamaha Motor Group. The team also includes experts like Masa Shinomiya, a senior mechanical engineer providing engineering support for portfolio companies. Yamaha Motor Ventures operates with the mission of overcoming regulatory and market barriers, thereby enabling startups to achieve their full potential and contribute to societal advancement. Their strategic approach combines financial investment with hands-on support to help startups navigate complex market dynamics and scale effectively.

Yes VC, founded in 2018 by Caterina Fake and Jyri Engeström, is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco that focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. The firm is known for backing category-defining companies across a diverse range of industries, including artificial intelligence, climate tech, consumer brands, and digital infrastructure. Notable investments from Yes VC's portfolio include Adept AI, Boom Supersonic, and Lovevery. Adept AI is working on developing general intelligence by enabling humans and computers to collaborate creatively, while Boom Supersonic is building a non-fossil-powered supersonic passenger plane. Lovevery creates award-winning, Montessori-inspired toys and subscription boxes for babies and toddlers. Yes VC is also actively investing in climate tech, with companies like Running Tide, which focuses on carbon sequestration by growing biomass and sinking it in the deep ocean, and Steady Energy, which is developing zero-emission heating plants powered by advanced nuclear reactors. Additionally, the firm supports innovative digital infrastructure solutions, such as OneSignal, a customer engagement platform, and Reconnect, which improves outcomes for individuals in the criminal justice system. The firm's commitment to diversity is evident, with a significant portion of its investments going into companies founded by women or people of color. This approach aligns with their mission to support transformative technologies and innovative business models that have the potential to make a substantial impact.

Yolo Investments is a venture capital firm headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, focusing on high-growth opportunities in iGaming, fintech, and crypto sectors. Founded by Tim Heath in 2017, Yolo manages over €600 million in assets and has made more than 100 investments across the globe. The firm invests in late-seed and Series A stages, targeting companies that are disrupting traditional industries with innovative solutions. Yolo Investments’ portfolio is diverse, spanning sectors such as blockchain, digital banking, and online gaming. Notable investments include BoomFi, a crypto-fiat payments gateway, and Busha, an African cryptocurrency exchange. The firm also has holdings in companies like Rhino Entertainment, a casino operator, and TymeBank, a digital banking group with a presence in South Africa and Southeast Asia. Their investments also extend to crypto-based solutions such as CoinMENA and Balthazar, a Web3 gaming protocol. In addition to providing capital, Yolo Investments actively engages in the strategic development of its portfolio companies, leveraging its deep industry experience in gaming and fintech to help drive growth and innovation​.