9 Esports Angel Investors Shaping the Entertainment & Sports Sector
Finding the right angel investor for your esports company can be a challenge. We've listed 9 active investors in entertainment and sports to get you started.
Rho Editorial Team
For Entertainment & Sports startups, angel funding offers more than just capital; it can provide valuable industry connections and guidance from seasoned investors.
Some notable angel investors who have backed companies in the Entertainment & Sports sector include Peter Kellner, Steve Abbott, Alfred Lin, and Mike Volpi.
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For founders in media, gaming, and sports, finding the right capital is crucial. Understanding who the key angel investors are can give you a significant advantage as you prepare to raise funds.
Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors often use their personal funds and can bring valuable industry experience and connections to your company.
To help you get started, we've curated this overview of notable angel investors in the entertainment and sports technology sectors. Use this guide to identify individuals who may be a good fit for your startup.
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Top Entertainment & Sports Angel Investors By Stage
Angel investors in entertainment and sports often focus on early-stage companies, typically at the pre-seed or seed stage.
They do this to contribute their own funds and experience when it matters most, so identifying the right investors for your current stage is essential.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Entertainment & Sports
Pre-seed funding is the earliest stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. An investor who participates at this foundational stage is Brian Reilly.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Entertainment & Sports
Seed funding helps a startup with initial market entry and product development. For founders in entertainment and sports, investors such as Peter Kellner, Alfred Lin, and Eoin Duane often participate in seed rounds.
Series A Angel Investors in Entertainment & Sports
This round is typically for companies that have demonstrated product-market fit and are ready to scale their operations. You might find investors like Alfred Lin, Mike Volpi, and Seth Levine participating in Series A funding.
Series B Angel Investors in Entertainment & Sports
Series B funding is focused on expansion, helping companies grow their market share and build out their teams. Investors who often engage in this stage include Steve Abbott, Doug Higgins, and Todd Dagres.
Keep in mind that some angel investors invest across multiple startup funding stages.
For example, an investor like Mike Volpi might participate in seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, depending on the opportunity.
Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the entertainment and sports sectors. We've included key details about their investment stages, areas of focus, location, and what makes each one a compelling partner for founders.
1. Peter Kellner
Peter Kellner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Richmond Global Ventures, a venture capital firm with a broad investment thesis. His background combines high-level finance with degrees from Yale Law School and Harvard Business School.
Kellner primarily focuses on seed-stage companies across a wide range of sectors, from entertainment and sports to biotech and climate tech. His investment in OpenSponsorship, a sports marketing platform, is a notable example of his activity in the sports industry.
If you are a founder at the seed stage in one of his areas of interest, Kellner may be a good fit. His experience as a firm founder suggests he can offer both capital and strategic guidance.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Entertainment & Sports, Consumer Health, ClimateTech, and Travel
- Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $200K - $2.0M, with a sweet spot around $600K
- Notable portfolio companies: OpenSponsorship, Kueski
You can find more information about Peter Kellner on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
2. Steve Abbott
Steve Abbott is a partner at Sapphire Ventures, where he invests in growth-stage companies. His focus is primarily on Series A and Series B rounds, indicating he works with businesses that are ready to scale significantly.
Abbott shows a strong interest in companies at the intersection of different sectors, such as his investment in Tonal, which combines hardware, software, and media. He tends to back companies with substantial funding needs, as seen in his typical investment range, and often participates in later-stage rounds.
Founders who have already achieved product-market fit and are seeking substantial capital for expansion may find Abbott to be a good match. His position at a larger firm suggests he can provide considerable resources for companies in sectors like SaaS, media, and entertainment.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Media/Content, Entertainment & Sports, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Hardware
- Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Tonal, Recommind
You can find more information about Steve Abbott on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
3. Alfred Lin
Alfred Lin is a partner at Sequoia Capital, bringing extensive operational experience to his role. He is well-known for his leadership at successful companies, including serving as Chairman and COO of Zappos.com until its acquisition by Amazon.
Lin's deep background as an operator is a defining characteristic, suggesting he provides hands-on guidance for founders navigating growth. He invests across a broad range of sectors, including FinTech, retail, and enterprise software, typically at the seed and Series A stages.
Founders looking for more than just capital may find a strong partner in Lin. He is a good match for early-stage companies that can benefit from his experience in building product-centric businesses and scaling operations.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: FinTech, Media/Content, Entertainment & Sports, Enterprise, Retail
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $10.0M, with a sweet spot around $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Kalshi, Summer Health
You can find more information about Alfred Lin on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
4. Mike Volpi
Mike Volpi is a partner at Index Ventures who invests across multiple stages, from seed to Series B. His portfolio shows a wide range of interests, including cloud infrastructure, AI, and enterprise software.
A key characteristic of Volpi's approach is his flexibility in funding stages and his tendency to support companies through multiple rounds. His investments in companies like Kong and Temporal Technologies point to an interest in businesses with deep technical foundations.
Founders building companies in sectors like data services, security, and AI may find Volpi to be a valuable partner. He appears to be a good fit for teams seeking a long-term investor with experience in scaling technically complex products.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Entertainment & Sports, Data Services, AI, Security
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $2.0M, with a sweet spot around $1M
- Notable portfolio companies: Kong, Temporal Technologies, incident.io
You can find more information about Mike Volpi on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
5. Brian Reilly
Brian Reilly is a founder and partner at Will Ventures, a firm that invests in companies at the intersection of sports, media, and health. He primarily engages with companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, providing capital at the earliest points of a startup's journey.
A defining feature of Reilly's investment approach is his focus on technology that modernizes human health and wellness. His investments in companies like Aktivate, a platform for scholastic sports, and Ness, a health and wellness company, show his interest in this theme.
Founders building technology-driven businesses in sports, health, or fitness may find Reilly to be a good partner. He is a good match for early-stage teams who need a first check and can benefit from an investor with a clear thesis in this space.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Entertainment & Sports, Wellness & Fitness, Digital Health, AI
- Geographical presence: Brooklyn, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.5M
- Notable portfolio companies: Aktivate, Ness, Looped
You can find more information about Brian Reilly on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
6. Doug Higgins
Doug Higgins is a partner at Sapphire Ventures, where he invests in growth-stage companies. He primarily concentrates on the gaming, media, and sports industries.
A key aspect of his investment approach is a focus on Series A and B rounds, often with significant capital. His portfolio, which includes companies like Tonal and PlayVS, shows a strong interest in businesses that merge technology with entertainment and sports.
Higgins may be a good match for founders who have already found product-market fit and are seeking substantial funding to scale. His position at a larger firm indicates he can support companies ready for major expansion.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Games, Gaming/eSports, Media/Content, Entertainment & Sports
- Geographical presence: Redwood City, California
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Tonal, PlayVS, Manticore Games
You can find more information about Doug Higgins on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
7. Seth Levine
Seth Levine is a co-founder and partner at Foundry, a venture capital firm based in Boulder. He invests in early-stage companies and is known for his extensive experience across a wide array of technology sectors.
A key aspect of Levine's approach is his broad thematic focus, with investments spanning from Web3 and FinTech to e-commerce and SaaS. He primarily engages with companies at the seed and Series A stages, suggesting a preference for helping businesses build their foundation and prepare for growth.
Levine could be a great partner for founders building technology companies in his areas of interest who are seeking early-stage capital. His role at Foundry suggests he can provide not just funding but also access to a deep network and strategic guidance.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: FinTech, SaaS, Web3/Blockchain, Entertainment & Sports, E-commerce
- Geographical presence: Boulder, Colorado
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.5M
- Notable portfolio companies: Blocknative, Sovrn, FloatMe
You can find more information about Seth Levine on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
8. Todd Dagres
Todd Dagres is a co-founder and general partner at Spark Capital, a venture capital firm known for backing ambitious founders. He primarily invests in growth-stage companies in the media, entertainment, and enterprise sectors.
Dagres concentrates on Series A and B rounds, often with a significant investment size around $10 million. His portfolio, which includes companies like the online marketplace 1stdibs, suggests an interest in businesses that are ready for significant expansion.
He may be a good partner for founders who have already demonstrated market traction and are seeking substantial capital to scale. Companies in media, enterprise, and consumer-facing technology looking for a growth-stage investor could find a good fit.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, Media/Content, Entertainment & Sports
- Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $15.0M, with a sweet spot around $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: 1stdibs, Freight Farms
You can find more information about Todd Dagres on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
9. Eoin Duane
Eoin Duane is a Managing Director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. He concentrates on investments in sectors like health services, travel, and entertainment.
While his focus includes the seed stage, his investment activity points toward significant, later-stage growth financing, with check sizes often in the tens of millions. His involvement with companies like A Place for Mom and Aptean highlights an interest in established businesses within the health and software sectors.
Duane is likely a good match for founders of companies that have already achieved scale and are seeking substantial capital for expansion. Businesses in his target industries needing growth equity would find his experience valuable.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Health & Hospital Services, Health IT, Entertainment & Sports, Travel
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $350.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Kiteworks, Aptean, A Place for Mom
You can find more information about Eoin Duane on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Entertainment & Sports Investor
When evaluating an investor, look beyond the check size. The right partner brings relevant industry experience and a network that can open doors. For entertainment and sports startups, this means finding someone who understands your specific audience and market dynamics.
As the investors on this list show, many are located in major tech hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, and Boston. Their interests often lie at the intersection of technology with media, wellness, and gaming, reflecting a trend toward tech-driven consumer experiences.
Before reaching out, clarify what your startup needs most at its current stage. Is it early-stage validation, operational guidance for scaling, or significant growth capital? Knowing how to find investors whose expertise and investment thesis align with your goals is a crucial step in building a strong partnership.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant angel investors is crucial when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. This approach helps you concentrate your efforts where they will matter most.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform provides business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions built for startups.
This setup helps direct your angel capital toward growth and operations, rather than losing it to manual financial admin. We handle the backend finances so you can focus on building your company.
FAQs about Entertainment & Sports Angel Investors
How to find sports tech angel investors outside of major hubs?
Many investors operate outside of traditional hubs like New York or the Bay Area. Expanding your search to include angel networks in cities like Chicago can uncover valuable local opportunities for your startup.
What do eSports angel investors look for?
Investors in eSports often look for startups with strong community engagement and scalable platforms. They are interested in new gaming technologies, fan engagement tools, or services that support professional players and teams.
How is valuation determined at the seed stage?
At the seed stage, valuation is often based on your team, market size, and initial traction. It's one of several startup funding types where potential matters more than current revenue, unlike later rounds.
Are there alternatives to angel investors for early-stage funding?
Yes, alternatives include bootstrapping, grants, and early-stage VC firms. Each option has different implications for equity and control, so it's important to consider what's best for your company's long-term goals.
How can I manage my funds after a successful angel round?
Once you've secured funding, it's important to have a solid financial foundation. Our platform helps you manage your capital with business banking, corporate cards, and expense controls. Get started with Rho today.