Courtside Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that describes itself as the leading fund focused on sports, lifestyle and gaming, backing founders who serve younger demographics and emerging consumer behavior across fan engagement, collectibles, wellness and interactive entertainment. The firm launched in January 2016 with a $35 million first fund anchored by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert alongside Bruin Sports Capital and advertising group WPP, and was originally headquartered in Detroit's Madison Building with a New York office; the firm is today headquartered in New York. Partners Vasu Kulkarni, Deepen Parikh and Kai Bond lead investing. In January 2023 Courtside closed its $100 million Fund III with limited partners including team owners Tony Ressler, Dan Gilbert and David Blitzer, athletes Shaquille O'Neal and Larry Fitzgerald, and corporates such as Dick's Sporting Goods and Superbet, bringing committed capital to more than $200 million across three funds. The firm reports more than 80 active investments across 8 countries, with about 20 percent based outside the US, and 9 companies acquired or taken public, including The Athletic, sold to The New York Times in 2022, and Beam, sold to Microsoft. Other notable portfolio companies include StockX, 100 Thieves, WinZO and Veo.
Seed investment The Athletic was acquired by The New York Times for $550 million in 2022.