/Investor DB

Sharp Alpha

Venture capitalActively deploying

New York · Seed–Series A · 10 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Sharp Alpha backs early-stage companies building products that tap into consumers' competitive spirit. The firm provides equity capital alongside strategic resources to help founders scale. In addition to traditional equity investment, Sharp Alpha offers a non-dilutive growth capital product designed to fund customer acquisition costs, which is then repaid as the acquired customer cohorts generate revenue over time. This dual approach combines venture equity with financing structured around growth economics.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 27, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series A
Check
$1M – $10M
HQ
New York, US
Instruments
Equity · Debt
Founded
2019
Last 12 months
2 investments
Tracked investments
38

Team · 10 people

from the firm's website & curated & public directories
Brett Sagan· General Partner
Daniel Bernard

Chairman of Redwood International Sports.

Don Kornstein

Vice Chairman at Caesars.

Emanuel Pearlman

Former Chairman of Empire Resorts.

Keith Horn

Former COO of Elliott Management.

Mihir Kumarin

Background with Major League Soccer, BCG, and AQR.

Roy Behren

CIO of Westchester Capital Management.

Richard Thoms· Executive Officer

What they invest in

from 27 of 38 portfolio companies

Media & Entertainment ×16Consumer ×12Sports Tech ×11Gaming ×8AI & Machine Learning ×4Data & Infrastructure ×4Marketplaces ×4SaaS ×4

HQs:United States×12United Kingdom×2United Arab Emirates×1Austria×1Ireland×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 11 portfolio companies
27%
solo founders
3 of 11 mapped founding teams
36%
repeat founders
of 14 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×32 founders×63 founders×2

Where their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with education data

Wesleyan University ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 14 founders with field-of-study data

Business & Management ×3Computer Science ×3Finance & Accounting ×3Humanities ×3Engineering ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 14 founders with career history

Friday Beers ×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Y Combinator ×2

Investments · 38 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 22025 · 12024 · 12022 · 42021 · 12014 · 110 dated

C15 Studioc15.studioin✓ verified

A sports broadcasting and advertising company with experience in content production and programmatic ad operations.

AdTechMedia & EntertainmentSports Tech

Joe NilssoninAmory Schwartzin

Co-investorsRaptor GroupGame Changers VenturesIA Ventures

Almost Friday Mediaalmostfriday.comin𝕏Mar 2022 · $6M

Almost Friday Media is a comedy media company that produces sketch comedy, podcasts, and shows across social channels, working with brands on marketing campaigns.

ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentNashville, US

Max Barrett(Founder)inJack Barrett(Founder)inSamuel Barrett(Founder)in

Bezelgetbezel.com

Los Angeles, US

Darryl Johnson(Founder)Quaid Walker(Founder)in

Co-investorsAbstract VenturesBoxGroupLitquidity VenturesNomad Venture Partners, LlcShrug CapitalStreamlined Ventures

Builtinlondonbuiltinlondon.uk

Adyen is a financial technology platform providing payments, data insights, and financial products to leading global businesses across multiple industries and regions.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareFintechFuture of WorkHR TechLegalTechMedia & EntertainmentLondon, GB

Bipul Sinha(CEO, Chairman and Co-founder)

Courtyard.iocourtyard.ioin𝕏

Courtyard.io operates a marketplace where buyers purchase digital packs containing physical collectibles such as trading cards, comics, and watches, with options to store items in secure vaults or resell them at guaranteed prices.

ConsumerE-commerceMarketplacesNew York City, US

Nicolas le Jeune(Founder)inPaulin Andurand(Founder)inJoe Petrich(Head of Engineering)John Moersdorf(Head of Talent Aquisition)Zachary Schneider(Head of Marketing)

Co-investorsA-Rod CorpForerunner VenturesNew Enterprise Associates (NEA)ParaFi CapitalParafi General FundY Combinator+10 more

Coverscovers.comin𝕏

Covers operates a sports betting information site offering odds, expert picks, predictions, and news across sports such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAAF, WNBA, CFL, UFC, golf, and soccer.

ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSports Tech

Defiratedefirate.comin𝕏

DeFi Rate is an independent financial publication and data platform tracking prediction markets, decentralized finance lending rates, and crypto market activity across multiple platforms.

Crypto & Web3Data & InfrastructureFintechMedia & Entertainment

Five Iron Golf UAEfiveirongolf.ae

Five Iron Golf operates indoor golf venues that combine golf simulators and instruction with events, food, and cocktails.

ConsumerSports Tech

Co-investorsPowerhouse Capital

Formula1formula1.comin𝕏

Formula 1 is the official website for the FIA Formula One World Championship, providing race highlights, news, statistics, and coverage of F1 and support series such as Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Media & EntertainmentSports Tech

Fox17fox17.com𝕏

FOX 17 (WZTV) is a local television news station serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee, publishing local, national, weather, sports, and entertainment coverage online.

Media & EntertainmentNashville, US

Future Anthemfutureanthem.comin𝕏Jul 2022

Future Anthem develops AI-powered data science solutions for the gambling industry, analyzing player behavior and game data to help operators and studios optimize their content and player experiences.

AdTechAI & Machine LearningGamingMarketing TechSaaS

Samantha Denham(Founder/CEO)Yoav Kolton(Chief Data Officer)Andy Soiland(Chief Commercial Officer)

Co-investorsBettor CapitalJuroszek Family Office – Betplay Capital

Golfbusinessnewsgolfbusinessnews.comin𝕏

GolfBusinessNews is an independent news publication covering business topics and industry developments relevant to professionals working in the golf sector worldwide.

Media & EntertainmentSports Tech

Griiipgriiip.comin𝕏Feb 2022

Griiip develops data analytics platforms for the motorsport industry, serving drivers, teams, manufacturers, and fans to enhance engagement and performance across both competitive racing and sim racing.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureSports Tech

Tamir Plachinsky(Founder)in

Co-investorsPorsche Ventures

Jackpotjackpot.comin𝕏

Jackpot.com operates a mobile app and website that let players buy and access national and state lottery games digitally, with services licensed in New York and New Jersey.

ConsumerGamingMarketplacesMedia & Entertainment

Akshay K. Khanna(Founder)inYariv Ron(Founder)in

Co-investors359 CapitalAUDEO VENTURESAurumBettor CapitalCourtside VenturesDarco Capital+9 more

Kero Gamingkerosports.comMay 2025 · $3M

Kero provides infrastructure and aggregated intelligence for live sports betting, including real-time pricing models, automated trading and risk management, and market operations such as market creation, state management, and settlement.

Data & InfrastructureSaaSSports Tech

Co-investorsAcies InvestmentsCTC VenturesYolo InvestmentsChicago Trading CompanyEberg CapitalS2 Capital

LinQlinq.ggin𝕏

Toffee (operated by LinQ / Galactica Games) is a fintech platform that helps game developers monetize and retain non-paying players through a loyalty program and a co-branded debit card.

FintechGamingSaaSDublin, IE

London Post.Colondon-post.co.uk𝕏

London Post is a news publication delivering local news coverage about London since 2014.

Media & EntertainmentLondon, GB

Simon Peterson(Editor)

Millennial Mediayahooinc.comin𝕏Dec 2014

Yahoo Inc.'s business solutions division provides advertising, search, and audience-targeting technology, including a data-driven demand-side platform (DSP), for businesses seeking to reach and grow their audiences.

AdTechConsumerMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentBaltimore, US

Jerry YanginDavid FiloMichael G Barrett(Executive Officer, Director)inMarc Theermann(Executive Officer)Andrew J Jeanneret(Executive Officer)Jason Kelly(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersColumbia CapitalNew Enterprise Associates (NEA)Rembrandt Venture Partners

Ministryofsportministryofsport.comin

LIV Golf is a professional golf league featuring a franchise team format with equity-based player incentives and global tournament operations.

Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSports Tech

Scott O'Neil(Chief Executive Officer)

Packzpackz.ioMar 2026

Packz is a New York digital repack platform where users open virtual packs and ship or sell back real graded trading cards.

New York, US

Rahul Khatti(Executive Officer, Director)Balazs Szamosfalvi(Director)

Co-investorsCourtside VenturesMakers FundRiverPark Ventures

Players' Loungeplayerslounge.com𝕏Seed

Players' Lounge is a wagering platform where gamers play money matches, tournaments, and challenges against others for cash prizes.

ConsumerCreator EconomyGamingMarketplacesSports TechNew York City, US

Zach Dixon(Founder)inAustin Woolridge(Founder)inDan Delaney(Founder)inDuncan Lewis(CTO)Deva Kandpal(Vice President of Product)

BoardPierre Planche(Director)in

Co-investorsAlleyCorpCanaan PartnersComcast VenturesCourtside VenturesDorm RoomEvolution VC Partners+21 more

PlayPerfectplay-perfect.comin

Play Perfect is a mobile game development studio run by gaming industry veterans, with over 8 million downloads across its titles.

ConsumerGaming

Poolhousepool.houseinJul 2026 · $55M

Poolhouse is building a technology-led entertainment platform that reimagines pool for the modern era, combining advanced tracking and scoring technology with immersive social gameplay features.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerGaming

Co-investorsDMG VenturesVisible VenturesActive Partners

ProphetXprophetx.coin𝕏

America's first sports-native prediction market, CFTC-approved as a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization.

Co-investorsConnexa CapitalCTC VenturesData Point CapitalMaC Venture Capital

Rimblerimble.io

Rimble builds proprietary simulation models to price betting markets for esports, motorsports, cricket, and kabaddi.

Data & InfrastructureGamingSaaSSports Tech

Snapscreensnapscreen.cominNov 2021 · $1.2M

Snapscreen builds turnkey products that connect smartphones to live TV for sports media and sports betting operators, including ClipShare for making broadcasts socially shareable and monetizable and SnapOdds for converting viewers into bettors via image recognition.

AI & Machine LearningMedia & EntertainmentSports TechWien, AT

Co-investorsDMZ VenturesTechstars

Toybooktoybook.comin𝕏

Blue Marble creates STEAM-focused activity kits and educational toys, partnering with Mattel's Barbie brand to teach chemistry, geology, and biology through hands-on experiments and creative play.

ConsumerEdTechMedia & EntertainmentNew York, US

Triumph Labstriumphlabs.comApr 2022

Triumph Labs operates consumer entertainment and commerce products, including a competitive strategy gaming platform (Arcade) and a collectibles product (Rips) focused on cards.

ConsumerE-commerceGamingSan Francisco, US

Jake Brooks(Founder)inJared Geller(Founder)Jacob Brooks(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsBoxGroupEpakon CapitalFlux CapitalGreat Oaks Venture CapitalMulticoin CapitalMVP Ventures+8 more

Wallpaperwallpaper.com𝕏

Wallpaper* is a design and lifestyle publication covering architecture, interiors, art, fashion, watches and jewellery, technology, transportation, and travel.

Media & Entertainment

Co-investorsExpa

Whatsonwhatson.ae𝕏

Motivate Media Group is a multi-platform content producer operating across the GCC and MENA region with magazines, digital platforms, video production, and events.

ConsumerMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentDubai, AE

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

FSG Digital Inc.BallersBetchaHospitalityandcateringnewsSharpSportsSuperbananaThehandbookVicTree

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Sharp Alpha made?
Sharp Alpha has 38 tracked investments, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Sharp Alpha invest at?
Sharp Alpha invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
What is Sharp Alpha's typical check size?
Sharp Alpha typically writes checks of $1M – $10M.
What sectors does Sharp Alpha focus on?
Sharp Alpha focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Sector Agnostic, Sports Tech.
Where is Sharp Alpha located?
Sharp Alpha is headquartered in New York, US.
Does Sharp Alpha lead rounds?
Sharp Alpha has led 3 of the 7 rounds where its role is on record.
Who does Sharp Alpha co-invest with?
Sharp Alpha most often shares deals with Courtside Ventures, BoxGroup, MaC Venture Capital, among 54 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

#18: Competitive Entertainment Trends with Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner of Sharp Alpha Advisors - YouTube

Vetted Sports · Lloyd Danzig

E52: Lloyd Danzig- DraftKings To Acquire SimpleBet, Justifying Sharp Alpha's Long View - YouTube

Sports Business Conversations · Lloyd Danzig

Lloyd Danzig: Founder & Managing Partner, Sharp Alpha Advisors - YouTube

ADC Partners · Lloyd Danzig

Winning Strategies: Lloyd Danzig from Sharp Alpha Advisors on Investing in Sports & Gambling - YouTube

CrossCheck Media · Lloyd Danzig

Sports betting moves into the mainstream: Lloyd Danzig, Sharp Alpha Advisors - YouTube

ICE London · Lloyd Danzig

Sports Betting Power Players: Meet Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner at Sharp Alpha Advisors - YouTube

PoliticsNY · Lloyd Danzig

Co-investors · 5

Courtside Ventures

Courtside Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund investing in companies across sports, lifestyle, and gaming.

$1M – $1.5M
Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures (AV) is a venture capital firm that co-invests alongside lead VCs in startups, backing founders with capital and access to a large investor and operator community.

Both backed · 1
Ballers
$100K – $10M
IA Ventures

IA Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage software and frontier technology companies.

Both backed · 1
$1M – $3M
Darco Capital

Darco Capital is an investment firm based in Philadelphia that backs companies across climate tech, deep tech, consumer products, sports, and enterprise technology.

Both backed · 1
Northpond Ventures

Northpond Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Bethesda, Maryland that invests in life sciences, technology, and related sectors.

$100K – $5M

Firms observed investing alongside Sharp Alpha, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Sharp Alpha's recorded portfolio.

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