GoKawiilCollaborative Fund follows Thrive Capital into pro sports, backs D.C. United
Collaborative Fund, a $1 billion New York venture firm known for early investments in Lyft, Reddit, Sweetgreen and Olipop, has acquired a stake in Major League Soccer's D.C. United and its home venue, Audi Field. The move follows a broader pattern set by Thrive Capital, whose Thrive Eternal vehicle recently bought stakes in the San Francisco Giants and acquired the Los Angeles Lakers outright for $12.5 billion with Bob Iger as co-owner.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Venture firms have traditionally stayed out of sports ownership, leaving that territory to individual tech billionaires like Vinod Khosla and private equity giants such as Sixth Street, Ares, RedBird and Arctos. Collaborative Fund's move signals that even smaller generalist VC firms now see professional sports franchises as attractive long-term holds, potentially reshaping how these assets get funded and who profits from their appreciation.
- Collaborative Fund has taken a stake in D.C. United and Audi Field, marking its entry into sports ownership.
- The deal mirrors Thrive Capital's earlier moves into the Giants and Lakers, suggesting a new VC trend.
- This differs from prior sports investment patterns dominated by tech billionaires and private equity firms.
Adidas MLS Pro Official Match Soccer Ball — With venture money now flowing into clubs like D.C. United, it's a good time to get back on the pitch yourself. Adidas' MLS Pro is the league's official match ball, built with a thermally bonded seamless surface for true flight — the same model pros play with at stadiums like Audi Field.
See Adidas MLS Pro Official Match Soccer Ball on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techcrunch.com — Connie Loizos, 2026-09-10
Published there as: “Thrive Capital led VCs into pro sports ownership; Collaborative Fund just upped that play”
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