CAA and venture capital firm NEA (New Enterprise Associates) today announced an investment partnership called Connect Ventures that will accelerate the growth of early-stage consumer-focused businesses, with an initial focus on supporting and enhancing a post-COVID-19 environment. Rick Yang, General Partner and Head of Consumer Investing at NEA, will spearhead the firm’s activities and investments related to this new joint venture. At CAA, Michael Blank -- who had been Business Development Exec overseeing Mobile -- has been elevated to Head of Consumer Investments. He will lead a cross-departmental agency team to guide involvement in Connect Ventures.
Connect Ventures will work to unlock opportunities emerging at the intersection of culture and commerce, as well as data and software. CAA President Richard Lovett said in a statement, “Connect Ventures is uniquely positioned to identify and support the most innovative entrepreneurs, helping accelerate the growth of their businesses by providing access to the expertise, knowledge, and relationships of both CAA and NEA.”
