Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Getty Images / Vaughn Ridley / Contributor
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Getty Images / Vaughn Ridley / Contributor
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
gadget
Gaming
Government & Policy
ironware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
security department
societal
quad
inauguration
TikTok
Transportation
speculation
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
newssheet
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
Kyle Kuzma is a wad of things . He ’s a forward for the Washington Wizards NBA team and a 2020 NBA champion . He ’s also a style ikon — depending onwho you expect — and an angel investor . Now he ’s an adviser at a speculation fund too .
“ I ’m part of a novel generation of the NBA , ” Kuzma told TechCrunch in a speech sound audience . “ For me , I ’ve always been a hustler and somebody that is very concerned in business organisation and doing things just to define up my family ’s generational wealth . I remember getting into speculation is only going to take that to a different stratosphere . ”
Kuzma , 28 , join former - level - focused Scrum Ventures in March as an advisor to help with the business firm ’s sports and amusement store , which is targeting $ 120 million . The partnership started in January when Kuzma ’s factor , Austin Eastman , was connected to Scrum managing director and married person Michael Proman . Kuzma said he was impressed with Scrum ’s team . Proman said the overconfident thought was common .
“ The thing about Kyle is , I in person did n’t really even understand how extensive his interest were in the venture distance until after getting introduce , ” Proman , a former NBA employee on the business developing squad , said . “ Kyle is really concerned in realize the speculation playbook but more so from the venture side . ”
Proman state Scrum ’s variation fund , where Kuzma will be assist , is a little dissimilar than other sport - focussed VC funds , because it focuses on tech that could be utile to jock or enterprise sport customers and is also applicable to other industry . Ozlo Sleepbuds is a good example . The company draw earbuds to facilitate multitude log Z’s better . While sleeping well is incredibly important for athlete , it ’s authoritative far beyond professional sports too . Scrum participated in the party ’s $ 6 million source around earlier this year .
Scrum ’s wide approach to sports tech makes Kuzma a safe consultant , as opposed to another NBA player , Proman said , because Kuzma has already invested across several sector . Kuzma started saint induct in 2020 and has ramp up up a portfolio that includes washing soda alternative Lemon Perfect , which has blend in on to raise an additional$67.8 millionin speculation capital ; consumer data party , Surf ; and watch mart , Bezel .
“ His investment portfolio is pretty diverse ; it ’s not just your classic sports tech , ” Proman said . “ There are a lot of family line out there that desire to invest into what they do 24/7 , and while they may be large at providing insights and analysis of those technologies , in many cases those are n’t venture - backable technology . ”
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Kuzma said he plans to be a deal - on investor , and while he knows a name like his could be a selling boon for the company he process with , he said he does n’t just need to rest there and would rather use his status to help companies enlarge their connection using his connectedness . He also thinks his experience playing basketball makes him a good fit as a VC because he ’s used to working in a free-enterprise environment where you do n’t succeed unless you work on as a squad .
“ I bring a competitive nature , ” he said . “ When you fiddle sports at the high level like the NBA , you are play Bromus secalinus and not checker . We are smart ; we are not just athletes . We are not just multitude that play sports and not do anything else . ”
Kuzma ’s presence has already evidence beneficial for the firm , Proman say , as knead with an athlete like Kuzma has led to an uptick in inbound interest in the business firm . adept inward pursuit — he clarify .
Kuzma is n’t the first NBA instrumentalist to get regard with venture capital . Kevin Durant ’s family office , 35V , invests intemperately in startups . Steph Curry is the anchor LP of Penny Jar Capital . Former players like Andre Iguodala and Michael Redd have aim more formal roles in the diligence , too , by launching firms of their own , Mosaic and 22 Ventures , respectively . Kuzma is the latest NBA role player to dive into speculation , but he likely wo n’t be the belated for long .
“ Joining Scrum Ventures is really exciting for me , ” Kuzma order . “ I desire to further my portfolio and just my reach in the VC world . As athlete , they always state you to diversify your portfolio as much as you could . This is the next iteration of me as an entrepreneur . ”
