Claire specializes in branding, messaging, and creative communication strategies. With a personal and creative

The Venture Fund for Sports Leaders

We are a community-powered fund investing in AI-native, dual-use technology validated in sports, scaled to health, enterprise, and consumer markets.

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We’re leveling the playing field in venture investing for sports industry leaders.

You’ve driven the growth of the sports industry. Now it's time to own a piece of it. The global sports technology market is projected to go from $34.25B in 2025 to $68.70B by 2030 (14.9% CAGR), yet ownership in category-defining startups, franchises, and leagues has been accessible to a select few—until now. 

By unlocking access to premium opportunities, we empower our community to gain knowledge, acquire equity, and build wealth. With access to exclusive deal flow and unparalleled industry insights, we strategically deliver compelling returns while mitigating risk. 

Backed by 50+ sports leaders and Mercury Fund

50+ sports leaders across teams, leagues, media, brand, agencies, and tech

10M
Target Size
2.5%
Management fee
7.5M
Total invested

Where We Invest: AI-Native, Dual-Use Technology, and Emerging Sports Properties

10M
Target Size
2.5%
Management fee
7.5M
Total invested

AI & Data INTELLIGENCE

Machine learning · predictive analytics · computer vision · real-time market infrastructure

Fan Engagement & Media

Real-time broadcast systems · content automation · streaming infrastructure

HUman PERFORMANCE & WELLNESS

Athlete monitoring · diagnostics · biomechanics · recovery intelligence

VENUES & OPERATORS

Access control · intelligent venue systems · compliance automation · IoT connectivity

Emerging LEAGUES & FRANCHISE

Selective minority ownership in digitally-native leagues · next-generation franchises · women's sports

Sports Validates. Market Scales.

01

Portfolio company
nVenue

AI infrastructure for real-time market operations at scale

AI infrastructure that industrializes the creation, pricing, and resolution of markets on real-world events — automatically, at supercompute scale, in under 50 milliseconds. 500+ operators, 40+ countries, 1M+ markets per day. Co-investors: NBA, KB Partners.

02

Portfolio company
Videon

Media infrastructure that scales beyond sports

Distributed video network management platform with partnerships including FloSports, Sportradar, and Nokia — reshaping how sports content is captured and distributed. Co-investors: Cercano Management.

03

Portfolio company
LISNR

Ultrasonic proximity technology for loyalty, payments, and identity

Global leader in ultrasonic proximity technology — revolutionizing loyalty, payments, and identity across sports venues, events, and enterprise environments. Co-investors: Mercury Fund, South Loop Ventures.

04

Portfolio company
SailGP 
Team
USA

Emerging sports property with asymmetric upside

Minority ownership in the U.S. team of SailGP — the "F1 of Sailing" — backed by Rolex, Emirates, and Larry Ellison, with CBS Paramount media rights. Co-investors: Avenue Sports Fund, Elway Capital.

AI Native: What it means at The Collectiv

Intelligence embedded in your architecture, not bolted on.

At The Collectiv, we invest in companies where Al is architected from the ground up as a core component of how your product works — not as a feature you added later.

The critical test: if your Al were removed, would your product cease to be useful?

If yes, you're Al-native. We're looking for founders building infrastructure that's validated first in sports high-intensity, real-time environment and architected to scale across healthcare, enterprise, and consumer markets, creating defensible competitive advantages that compound over time.

At Claire, we bring creativity and strategy together to help brands find their voice. By working closely with our clients, we create clear, impactful messaging that resonates and builds lasting connections with you audience.
New clients
13
Active Markets
09
Unhappy clients
01

We are backed and trusted by a community of individual strategic investors, venture advisors, and partners who are influential leaders from the world’s most iconic teams, leagues, brands, agencies, properties, startups, and tech giants—shaping the future of sports and investing in it. We bring more than capital. Our relationships, insights, and expertise are what set us apart.

Mercury Fund, our strategic partner and institutional backbone, is one of Texas’s most accomplished venture capital firms.

Since 2005, Mercury has managed ~$1B in assets under management (AUM) and has created $13.5 billion of value in startup investments since inception. Its world-class platform brings institutional discipline, proven investment frameworks, and access to a deep bench of experienced operators, advisors, and growth partners.

Through this partnership, The Collectiv brings institutional-grade rigor to sports as an asset class, combining Mercury’s infrastructure and operator network with our domain expertise, differentiated sourcing, and community-powered insights to unlock high-growth investment opportunities.

“Mercury is proud to support and back The Collectiv, as the go-to venture fund for the sports industry.”

Blair Garrou
Managing Partner, Mercury Fund 
Senior Advisor, The Collectiv

In the News

Feb. 4th, 2026

New acceleration platform for early-stage AI startups proven in sports and scaled across health, enterprise, and consumer markets.

Dec. 23, 2025

Houston VC firm The Collectiv adds health care entrepreneur as general partner to boost focus on sports technology.
We’re the Center of the
Sportstech Ecosystem
Meet Our
Investment Team
Ashley DeWalt
Co-Founder, Managing Partner

Ashley’s work has been featured in leading media outlets, including ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, The Sports Business Journal, and Front Office Sports. 

Winston Gilpen
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
  • 30+ years executive and advisory experience
  • Knowledge in all aspects of finance, strategy, contracts, administration, risk management, sales, marketing, human resources, operations, and executive management.
  • Texas CPA
Heath Butler
Co-Founder, Venture Partner
  • 25+ years executive and investment experience
  • Venture Partner, Mercury Fund
  • Founder, Urban Capital Network
  • Startup Founder, Investor, and Advisor at multiple public and private boards
  • M&A & Div. President, Insperity
  • B.S. Finance / MBA Marketing
Blair Garrou
Senior Advisor & Investment Committee
  • 30+ years venture, executive, and advisory experience
  • Expertise in all aspects of finance, strategy, contracts, administration, risk management, sales, marketing, human resources, operations, and executive management
  • Co-Founder, Managing Partner of early-stage VC firm Mercury Fund, with $1B AUM
Michelle Torres
Head of Operations

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Nate Thompson
Head of Platform

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Simone Williams
Analyst

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Results That Drive Impact

Impact Over Noise

In a world full of chatter, we focus on making an impact. Every strategy we craft and every message we share is designed to connect.

Measurable Outcomes

We believe in the power of data to tell a story. Our approach combines creativity with analytics, ensuring every campaign delivers results.

The Power of Collabs

Partnerships That Deliver

We don’t see ourselves as just an agency—we see ourselves as an extension of your team. Collaboration is at the core of our work, allowing us to combine your insights with our expertise.

Tailored to You

Every brand is unique, and so is our approach. We adapt to your needs, working flexibly and transparently to ensure every strategy feels personal and effective.

Our Community: In Depth
Below are the various industry leaders we target to join The Collectiv which encompasses the entire sports ecosystem.
Sports Teams (Professional Franchises)

Every project begins with understanding your brand, goals, and audience. We dive deep to uncover what makes your brand unique, then craft a tailored strategy that meets your specific needs. Our approach is flexible and adaptive, ensuring that every step aligns with your vision and objectives.

Sports Leagues & Governing Bodies

You’ll be partnered with a dedicated team of specialists, each bringing expertise in different areas to create a well-rounded approach. From strategists to content creators, our team collaborates with you closely, guiding you through each step, providing insights, and ensuring a seamless experience.

Sports Brands

Timelines vary depending on the project’s scope and complexity. From the start, we provide a clear schedule so you know what to expect, and we keep you updated at every milestone. Our goal is to balance quality with efficiency, delivering impactful results within a timeframe that meets your needs.

Sports Agencies

Success means more than completion—it’s about delivering measurable impact. We set clear, achievable goals and use data to track progress along the way. By monitoring key metrics, we gain insights into what’s working, optimize our approach, and ensure we’re achieving results that truly matter for your brand.

Sports Startups

Yes! We can work with your existing brand assets or help you develop new ones if needed. Whether you’re looking to refresh, evolve, or start from scratch, we adapt our approach to suit your brand identity. Our flexibility ensures that we integrate seamlessly with your current materials while enhancing them with .