M13’s Post

2023 marked a significant shift in the role of athletes as investors and business leaders. The stereotype of the "stupid footballer" solely focused on endorsements is outdated. Athletes today are savvy investors, actively involved in equity, ownership, and complex business deals. Their transition from the field to the boardroom isn't just about capital and personal brand; it's about applying teamwork, strategic thinking, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence - traits honed in sports - to corporate landscapes. The athlete's mindset of seeking a competitive edge aligns remarkably well with the relentless pursuit of success in business. Examples abound: from Tom Brady's involvement with Birmingham City FC to the investment group of Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy, and Patrick Mahomes in Alpine, athletes are leveraging their networks, expertise, and global followings to expand businesses in diverse sectors. This isn't a superficial trend. It's a testament to the limitless potential athletes possess beyond their sporting careers. They're now actively seeking opportunities in tech startups, tech companies, and various non-sports-related ventures, bringing their unique perspective and skills to diverse industries. Paul McVeigh, M.Sc. who has transitioned from a professional sports career to psychology and keynote speaking, have witnessed firsthand the eagerness of businesses to learn from leaders in different fields. Athlete investors offer insights and expertise that corporations value for their fresh perspectives and unparalleled dedication. In essence, this surge in athlete investors signals a new era where sports and business intertwine seamlessly. This past year has only scratched the surface, and the upcoming years promise to see more familiar faces crossing over into the boardroom, seeking new avenues beyond the traditional confines of sports-related ventures. The potential for these athlete investors is boundless, driven not only by financial gains but by a desire to extend their impact and influence far beyond their playing days. 2023 was a turning point, and the trajectory points towards a future where athletes are not just game-changers on the field, but in the realms of entrepreneurship, innovation, and global business.

Attention Business Owners & Entrepreneurs! Here's an inspiration to think differently about the way we run our businesses. Consider Angel City FC, a recent addition to the National Women’s Soccer League. This isn't just a sports team— it's a testament to a revolutionary business model fusing entertainment, sports, and business, driven by high-profile personalities. They've taken transparency to another level by giving fans a voice within board meetings, showing that including different perspectives can pave the way to unfound success. Intriguing, isn’t it? Moreover, their commitment to environmental sustainability and community initiatives cements them not just as profitable, but responsible. This is a wake-up call for companies to capitalize on sustainability and stakeholder engagement–not only because it is ethical, but because it can amplify business performance & brand reputation. Who would have thought that a soccer team would provide such rich lessons in business?! So, ask yourself - How could your company benefit by putting stakeholders first, or by incorporating sustainability into its core values? This approach may seem unconventional–but that's where I come in. With years of experience in Business Consulting, I can help decode these trends for your business, and draw a customized path for success. Ignite innovation and growth within your business with a fresh perspective. So, let's get in touch & turn uncertainties into opportunities!

SportsInvest Advisory Insights © Minority stake but huge deal - congrats to the whole Arctos team for this one as well as for the impressive track record of top-notch sports investments they managed to build since they launched in late 2019. They have just officially announced their minority investment in Paris Saint-Germain - financial details were not disclosed but the Financial Times reported a 12.5% stake which values PSG at more than €4 billion. Paris Saint-Germain declared that the investment will help to fund growth, including international expansion into markets such as the US, and investment in infrastructure such as upgrading its stadium and new training ground at Poissy in suburban Paris - the stadium workstream will be particularly interesting to follow. What's fascinating is that Arctos was initially launched by Ian Charles and David O’Connor with the ambition to provide secondary investments to minority owners in North American sports franchises, thus bringing an innovative solution in a rather illiquid market. They were savvy enough to enlarge their financing solutions to growth capital as well, unlocking numerous opportunities to acquire minority stakes in top teams such as the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NWSL’s Utah Royals. They also invested in sports-related businesses such as SeatGeek and sports tech venture capital fund Sapphire Sport. I highly recommend Ian Charles' conversation with Bain & Company's Hugh MacArthur in the Dry Powder podcast from June 2023: “About half of our deals, to date, have been growth capital opportunities in partnership with some of the most innovative owners in all of sports” - link below ⬇️

🏆 The Winning Edge: Why I Love Investing in Founders with Team Sports Backgrounds ⚽ 🏀 🏈   As an angel investor I've come to appreciate a unique quality in founders that goes beyond the boardroom – a shared love for team sports. Here's why I'm particularly drawn to founders who have excelled in team sports:   🤝 Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Success in team sports is not just about individual talent; it's about collaboration, communication, and mutual trust. Founders who have thrived in a team environment understand the power of teamwork. They appreciate the diverse strengths each team member brings to the table, fostering a culture of collective achievement within their startup teams.   🚀 Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Handball, like entrepreneurship, is a game of constant adaptation and resilience. Athletes learn to pivot, strategize, and overcome obstacles on the fly. Similarly, startup founders often face unforeseen challenges, and those with a sports background are adept at navigating uncertainty with determination.   🎯 Goal-Oriented Mindset: Athletes are inherently goal-oriented individuals. Whether scoring a goal on the field or achieving milestones in business, the drive to set and pursue ambitious goals is a common trait. Founders with a sports background bring a disciplined and focused mindset to their startups, translating athletic determination into entrepreneurial success.   🌐 Global Perspective and Cultural Sensitivity: Team sports often provide the opportunity to compete on an international stage, exposing athletes to diverse cultures and perspectives. This global exposure equips founders with a broad worldview and cultural sensitivity, crucial assets for navigating the complexities of the global business landscape.   🔥 Passion for Excellence: Athletes are driven by a passion for excellence, constantly seeking ways to improve and push beyond their limits. This commitment to continuous improvement translates seamlessly into the startup ethos, where the pursuit of excellence is a driving force behind innovation and growth.   🏅 Leadership Forged in the Crucible: Captaining a handball team has taught me the importance of effective leadership. Founders with a sports background often emerge as natural leaders, capable of inspiring and motivating their teams through challenges. The ability to lead by example and rally a team toward a shared vision is a hallmark of successful entrepreneurs.   In conclusion, my journey as an angel investor has been enriched by incredible founders who bring the spirit of team sports into the world of startups. If you're an athlete-turned-entrepreneur, I'd love to hear your story and explore how your sports background has influenced your entrepreneurial journey. P.S.: picture shows me in my active days before totally destroying my knee.   #AngelInvesting #Entrepreneurship #TeamSports #StartupSuccess #Leadership 🏀✨

Saw a post on here earlier today about failure that got me thinking about how we handle failure in sports isn’t much different as an entrepreneur. (Thanks Tomi Gbeleyi-Curtis for the inspiration!) In sports, you’re facing failure on a regular basis. There’s only one team left standing at the end of the season which means that every other team failed at that goal. In business, you could say the same thing. Not everything is going to go your way. I don’t remember where this originated but shout out to Will Riker for this one..Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you. 🐻 #IYKYK If you’re an entrepreneur, you already know that there are no rewards without some kind of risk involved. Just look at the coach of the Detroit Lions. It was no secret that he was going to go for it on 4th down, it was just unfortunate that they couldn’t execute the plays. 🏈 So what’s the lesson here? (Because with every failure, there’s always a lesson to be learned) 🏆 Bouncing back from defeat The Detroit Lions didn’t make it to the NFC Championship overnight. But the coach and GM have had a strategy they’ve been working on for a few seasons now. In sports, setbacks are inevitable, but a missed pass or lost game doesn’t define them. As an entrepreneur, the ability to bounce back, learn from failures, and come back stronger is a trait that you share with them. 🧭Navigating uncertainty In both sports and entrepreneurship, unexpected challenges are part of the game. The other side can change in strategy at halftime, an unforeseen injury occurs to a key player. Entrepreneurs face a similar dynamic landscape, with market shifts and unforeseen obstacles. The ability to adapt, recalibrate strategies, and stay agile is a trait that defines winners. Embracing change, rather than resisting it, becomes a key element in your journey to success. 📝Grading your performance In sports, teams analyze their past performances to identify weaknesses, and iterate strategies for future games. As an entrepreneur you follow a similar trajectory, learning from failed campaigns or ventures, adapting business models to meet market demands, and you’re constantly evolving your approach. Each failure just becomes a stepping stone to your eventual success.   Whether you're chasing a ball or in the boardroom chasing opportunities, the road to success is often intertwined with moments of failure. It's not about avoiding failure though, but how you navigate it. Embracing failure with a growth mindset, extracting lessons, and applying them to your business will become a catalyst for your eventual triumph. 👥 Side note to the Detroit sports fans who feel that their team somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. This lifelong Toronto sports fan feels your pain. If it’s any consolation, I was low key hoping that they would end up playing against KC because of how they completely manhandled them at the start of the season. Keep the Faith! 🙌🏾

We're finally ready to take on 2 new projects at Continuum X Group - perhaps you fit the profile: The strategic advisory side of the firm, is about hands-on strategy development and execution, entering as a trusted operating-partner to the founders, executives, investors and boards. Whether it's getting ready for a fundraise, execution of a growth plan, transformation of your business, monetizing your product and offerings, scaling teams, direct sales, high-performance culture, strategic partnership or something similar, we've done it all many times before. Generally, anything that involves strategy, venture building, business development, leadership and direct-execution is where the core focus of Continuum X Group lies. The setup can be entering as fractional-Csuite, short or long term, external strategy consultant, board members, or a different setup - it's not the most important - the impact and outcome is. We believe in true value creation and building relations and operations that last for decades, and we believe in doing that through leading from the trenches together with our partners, in a setup that's natural and authentic to their needs. I am excited to hear from entrepreneurs, executives, boards, government entities and investors all around the globe about all the potential exiting opportunities that are out there, no matter if it's early stages of development or a mature project. We are present in Europe and MENA, and can easily expand presence and team depending on the needs of the projects, given our vast network of experts and experience. Let's build some esports future rocket ships together - shoot me a DM and let's have a chat! 🚀 #esports #strategy #management #gaming #entrepreneurship #consulting

Been on my mind that many of the VCs I've talked to have played high level sports, whether in college or as pros, and I wanted to share some of my ideas as to why this might be the case. From a high level, sports recruitment is not unlike venture capital investment in terms of the respective odds of success. According to Tifo and The Athletic, less than 50% of football transfers turn out to be successful while only a handful of newly acquired players in each transfer window become massive wins. As a fan of Manchester United, I didn't need the stats to prove this hit rate. Meanwhile, around 50% of early-stage VC-backed companies return less than 1X the initial investment with only 15-20 companies per year accounting for 85%+ of industry returns. The key to success in either game is to get your hands on one or more of the small number of outliers and continue to back them, whether through follow-on rounds or coaching. Both industries are also massively competitive. Clearly the most successful sportspeople are some of the most determined people on the planet, just look at a swimmer's training schedule or a boxer's gritted teeth mid-fight. But I would argue VC is just as competitive. In the last few decades, the VC industry has seen huge inflows of LP $ which have transformed it from a boutique craft industry to a fierce game of massive firms. Every hot deal is battled over by the top investors, sales has become one of the key skills of a young VC, and firms like a16z have built out thousand-person teams to win over founders. Some firms have also moved into earlier rounds in the hope of beating competition to the best deals, but this has just shifted the trenches downard toward seed and series A. So I feel that there may be truth to the idea that former athletes succeed in venture because they have developed a killer instinct to overcome their competitors. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on continuous improvement in both sport and VC. The greatest athletes, take Ronaldo or Tiger, train even harder than those below them. The mission does not stop when they reach the top. They continue to perfect their skills and improve even the most minute details of their game. This is similarly true of great VCs. A VC should always be learning, whether a generalist diving into a new thesis area or a specialist going even deeper into their existing knowledge base. I've heard more than one of the VCs I admire say that they'll know their time is up when they no longer feel the need to continue learning. On a personal note, I find the excitement of sport and VC comparable in ways. Of course the feeling of a last minute goal can't be replicated but the idea of helping a team of two or three people build a world-changing tech company massively excites me. Without any proof, I could imagine former pro sportspeople wanting to make the transition to VC to keep some of the sheer excitement they felt as an athlete.

He is a 4x NBA Champion and becoming a Startup Investor — Here's how CURAT—D would build Tony Parker's LinkedIn Personal Brand ⤵ He retired in 2019 and is now a businessman. Investing in startups, VC, etc with the Blast Club and Anthony Bourbon ⚔️. 1. Objectives: - Positioning Tony as a thought leader in the startup and investment space. - Highlighting his transition from a successful basketball career to a savvy investor. - Sharing insights and trends in technology, sports tech, and entertainment startups. - Networking with founders, entrepreneurs, and investors. - Promoting and supporting early-stage startups and entrepreneurial ventures. - Showcasing his investment portfolio and success stories. - Engaging with the sports and business communities to foster collaboration and innovation. 2. Personal Brand Analysis: Instagram: 775k Twitter: 2M 3. Editorial Line: - The synergy between sports and entrepreneurship: lessons from the court to the boardroom. - Investment philosophies and why supporting startups is vital for innovation. - Deep dives into the sectors Tony is passionate about, including sports technology, entertainment, and lifestyle brands. - Success stories of startups Tony has invested in, including challenges, growth, and impact. - Networking strategies and the importance of building meaningful relationships in the business and sports world. - The role of athlete-investors in shaping the future of sports and technology. - Personal anecdotes from Tony's basketball career that translate into business acumen. 4. Key Insights to Share: - The transition from athlete to entrepreneur: skills and mindsets for success. - Tony's criteria for investing in startups: vision, innovation, and potential for societal impact. - The importance of resilience, teamwork, and leadership in both sports and business. - Trends in technology and innovation Tony is excited about. - How to foster a culture of innovation within startups and established businesses. - The value of mentorship and support in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Strategies for startups to attract investment and scale effectively. Join us every Tuesday for a new post in the series 'CURAT—D's Approach to LinkedIn Personal Branding' where we reimagine the LinkedIn presence of leading figures. ❗️Share your insights below and recommend any leaders you'd like to see featured in this series.

Two seemingly distinct domains - the world of soccer and the intricate realm of business - share an unexpected and intriguing connection. At first glance, the grassy field where players chase a ball may appear far removed from the corporate boardroom where deals are struck. Yet, beneath the surface, a thread of strategic acumen weaves these seemingly disparate worlds together: the playbook. Both in soccer and business, playbooks serve as the bedrock upon which victories are built, guiding actions, adapting to opponents, and ultimately driving success. #startups #founders #entrepreneurship | Ankush | Atif

Ditch the Startup Family Myth - Build a Championship Team for Growth The "startup family" narrative is tempting, but for sustainable business growth, it's a dangerous trap. Businesses are team sports, and success requires a high-performing team, not just a family bond. Why "Family" Doesn't Work Performance Matters: Families rarely fire underperformers. Businesses must for progress. Diversity is Key - High-performing teams need a variety of skills, not just those found within a family. Limited Scalability - Families are inherently limited in size. Businesses with the right structure can grow exponentially. The Winning Team Playbook Think professional sports team. Here's what championship teams have: Team Spirit (Winning Culture) - A positive, collaborative environment. High-Performance Players (A-Team) - Top talent in every position. Winning Gameplan (Clear Strategy) - A roadmap for success. Singular Purpose (Focus and Alignment) - Everyone on the same page. Visionary Leadership - A clear direction from the leader. Excellent Coaches (Mentorship and Support): Invest in employee development. Studies support the team sports approach: McKinsey & Company: High-performing teams have a "collective mindset" focused on collaboration and mutual accountability. Gallup: Engaged employees are more productive, innovative, and loyal. The Netflix Example Reed Hastings, Netflix's founder, emphasizes the importance of a team-based approach, attracting top talent, and holding everyone accountable. Building for Growth - The Takeaway The "family" metaphor creates a fuzzy feeling but hinders long-term success. Embrace the team sport mentality to build a high-performing team with the skills and focus needed for growth. Cultivate a winning culture, invest in top talent, and create a results-oriented environment to win the game.