Investing at the Intersection of Sports, Media, & Entertainment with Technology.
A NYC-based venture capital firm committed to investing in cutting-edge technologies and companies shaping the future of sports, media and entertainment and unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Investment Thesis
125 Ventures invests in sports, media, and entertainment companies at the intersection of tech.
In the sports sector, we are strategically focused on investing in women’s sports as we believe it will have untapped potential in the next few years with continued growth in viewership, media rights, and fan engagement. Additionally, the rise of AI will have an substantial impact on content creation, IP, and data analytics. Recent changes in college athletics are creating unprecedented opportunities for student athletes with name, image and likeness opportunities to monetize their brands. The creator economy is booming with influencers reaching fans directly, while brands are increasingly harnessing the power of influencers on social media to connect with their target audiences in authentic and impactful ways.
Investment Focus
125 Ventures is tracking key trends in these industries to uncover investment opportunities.
Unprecedented growth of professional women's sports, with increasing viewership, media rights, and fan engagement worldwide.
+300%
growth in past 3 years and projected to have this same growth through 2030
(Source: Deloitte & Sports Consultancy Group)
Enhancing decision-making, improving audience engagement, and optimizing performance. In sports, AI-driven analytics provide detailed insights into player performance, injury prevention, and game strategies. In media and entertainment, content personalization to deliver more tailored and engaging experiences.
Recent transformative shifts in college athletics have created unprecedented opportunity for student athletes to monetize their personal brands and engaging with fans directly through social media. This paradigm shift not only empowers student-athletes but also attracts innovative business opportunities and investments.
Digital platforms empower individuals to monetize their passions and content. Influencers, artists, and independent creators are leveraging these platforms to build direct relationships with their audiences and generate diverse revenue streams. This shift towards decentralized content creation and distribution is democratizing media, fostering niche communities and fandom, and driving innovative business models.
Advances in technology and changing consumer preferences are transforming traditional live experiences, creating interactive and engaging environments that captivate audiences. From virtual concerts and interactive theater to immersive art installations and sports events, these innovations are redefining how audiences experience live entertainment.
Previous Investments
The following are some of our Founder & Managing Partner’s prior angel and prior fund investments. Some include companies in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors.
Team Members
Lorine Pendleton
Founder & Managing Partner
Lorine Pendleton is a distinguished VC investor with a decade of experience and over 35 early-stage investments. A former entertainment attorney, she has represented legendary artists such as Prince and Stevie Wonder. She has also held key roles at top law firms and agencies, and has a rich background in tech, media, entertainment, and sports.
Heidi Diamond
Venture Partner
Heidi J. Diamond is a seasoned media executive and current consultant and investor in the media and entertainment space. She has held prominent roles, including President of Broadcast at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Executive Vice President at AMC Networks. Recently, she led Content and Growth at HealthiNation, which was acquired by GoodRx.
Crystal Fisher
Advisor
Crystal Fisher is an accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in M&A, strategy, and business development across sports, media, entertainment, and technology. She has led new business strategies for TV and streaming sports rights, SaaS/Marketplace businesses, and direct-to-consumer media platforms. Formerly the VP of Strategy and Business Development for NBCUniversal’s Television and Streaming division, she also has experience at The Walt Disney Company and in media and communications investment banking.
Michelle Mammen
Sr. Associate
Michelle Mammen is a seasoned professional passionate about impactful investing. She earned her MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and has worked on the investing team at Portfolia, focusing on early-stage ventures across various sectors. Before becoming an investor, Michelle founded a consultancy advising small businesses and worked as a management consultant at EY in New York and London.
Brett M. Johnson
Advisor
Brett Johnson is the Founder/CEO of Benevolent Capital, a family office investing in professional sports teams, real estate, PE, and VC. His portfolio includes Ipswich Town FC, Phoenix Rising FC, Rhode Island FC, and notable companies like TerraCycle and Athletic Brewing. He is also the Founder/Partner of Fortuitous Partners, focusing on sports-anchored real estate developments. Previously, he served as President of Targus, a global leader in mobile computing solutions.
