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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Backed by 50+ sports leaders and Mercury Fund

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

MERCURY FUND PARTNERSHIP 

"

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

Blair Garrou
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Mercury Fund

Where We Invest: AI-Native, Dual-Use Sports Technology.

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

AI & Data
Intelligence


Predictive analytics, computer vision, unified data platforms, and real-time decision support — built for daily use in high-stakes environments.

Fan Engagement & Media Infrastructure


Content creation, personalization, streaming, and direct audience monetization — reshaping how sports properties capture attention.

Human Performance
& Wellness


Content creation, personalization, streaming, and direct audience monetization — reshaping how sports properties capture attention.

Operational Infrastructure & Venues


Content creation, personalization, streaming, and direct audience monetization — reshaping how sports properties capture attention.

Emerging Sports
Properties


Selective minority ownership in digitally native leagues and formats with strong audience growth and owned distribution.

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.

Backed by and built alongside
50+ sports leaders.

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

"

Most investors don't understand what actually works in locker rooms and front offices — The Collectiv does.

—  Micah Kamla Sr. Director of Business Intelligence · Houston Rockets

"

Sports organizations are drowning in vendor pitches. What separates The Collectiv is they come from operations — they understand revenue drivers and know where friction lives.

— Craig Swaisgood VP, Data & Analytics · New York Mets

"

It's one thing to write checks; it's another to actually be involved.

— Kayvon Thibodeaux Professional Athlete · New York Giants

"

The Collectiv has unlocked opportunities and created equitable access to sports investments that have historically proven difficult to enter.

— Quashan Lockett Chief Operating Officer · Pac-12 Conference

"

The access, insights, and network we have in the industry are unparalleled.

— Javier Altamirano Global Head of Startups · Sportradar
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

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 .