TPG Sports Group To Host Third Annual Sports Tank Event In 2017

(Courtesy of TPG Sports Group)

After a successful 2016 event which saw seven sports-specific startup companies pitch venture capitalists and industry executives, the TPG Sports Group is returning in 2017 for its third annual Sports Tank, a “Shark Tank” style event for startups looking for funding and strategic guidance.

On Apr. 11 in New York City, 10 companies will have the opportunity to engage in investment and partnership discussions in order to accelerate their various businesses as part of an all-expenses-paid trip to the Big Apple.

“We’re excited to be back at Sports Tank after making an investment and building countless relationships,” said Jake Ireland, CEO & Founder of Ireland Ventures in a statement. “Sports Tank allows us to leverage our network and help these companies grow globally. There’s no event like it out there.”

Alongside a panel of six investors will be a sports advisory panel to handle partnerships for the startup organizations, a group of executives that has included Kevin Pritchard (GM, Indiana Pacers), Brian Kopp (President of North America, Catapult Sports), and Megan Hughes Allison (VP of Client Services, Genesco Sports Enterprises) in prior years.

Additionally, Sports Tank has also added two new strategic advisors for the New York event including Duncan Niederauer (former CEO of NYSE and Founding Partner of the Mountain Top Advisory Group) and Guy Adami (CNBC’s “Fast Money”).

“Sports Tank was a perfect opportunity to not only raise capital, but to raise capital with strategic partners,” said Andrew Menter, CEO of Physmodo, and a 2016 Sports Tank Alumnus in a statement. “We ultimately came to terms with one of the VCs and someone on the sports advisory panel. And since we’ve raised capital, TPG Sports Group has been incredibly helpful opening their vast network. I recommend Sports Tank to any company seeking truly strategic growth capital.”