Wilf

Sapphire Sport Again Convenes Big Names in Sport, Business and Entertainment to Raise Oversubscribed $181M Second Fund Platform taking AUM to ~$300M(1)

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Investment, Sport, Sapphire, Madison Square Garden Sports, Indiana Pacers, Culture, Bank, Health, Consumer, Pentland Group, Partnership, Nature, Bank of Montreal, History of the Indiana Pacers, LP record, Boston Celtics, Name, Wilf, Participation, Sinclair Broadcast Group, City Football Group, AEG, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Lightning, Cryptocurrency, Overtime, Bain Capital

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapphire Sport, an early-stage investment platform at the intersection of technology, sport, media and entertainment, has convened several new investors to join existing LPs from their first fund platform to announce an oversubscribed $181M second fund vehicle (2) backed by major names across sport, business and media. Following its $117M initial fund vehicle (3) announced in January 2019, which includes investments in companies like Overtime, Tonal and Fevo, this new effort will continue to focus on Seed to Series B companies powering the next generation of consumer behavior across media, digital commerce, gaming, health and human performance, culture and community.

Key Points: 
  • Co-founded and led by Doug Higgins and Michael Spirito, Sapphire Sport pairs technology investment experience with a unique LP base of iconic brands across global sport, business and media.
  • Alongside our LPs, we believe we have built Sapphire Sport into a leading partner for early-stage companies at the intersection of technology and these large markets.
  • "We have navigated through some very tricky markets together, and Sapphire Sport has added value and been extremely supportive every step of the way."
  • Statements above have been provided by executives of portfolio companies in which Sapphire Sport has invested.

GameOn Raises $35 Million Series B to Revolutionize Industry-Leading Intelligent Chat Experience

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
ATP, NBA, Name, Milwaukee Brewers, Quest Ventures, Arsenal, NHL, Entrepreneurship, Las Vegas Raiders, NFL, TIME, PGA Tour, VC, Multimedia, Arsenal F.C., Wilf, Minnesota Vikings, Milwaukee Bucks, Marketing, Chat, SAN, Sport, Milwaukee, Online shopping, Video game

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GameOn Technology, the industry-leading conversational chat platform, today announced the close of a $35 million Series B funding round co-led by Mirae Asset Venture Investment, Mighty Capital, and B3 Capital. This round brings the company's total funding to nearly $54 million. Investors in the round include private investor Jim Davidson; Mark Attanasio, owner of the Milwaukee Brewers; Quest Venture Partners; the Wilf family, owners of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings; and Great Point Ventures. The funding amount will deepen GameOn's footprint in sports and scale a range of technical, business development and marketing efforts to catapult GameOn forward into more diversified verticals like retail, creating new, sustainable revenue channels for the world's leading consumer brands.

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- GameOn Technology , the industry-leading conversational chat platform, today announced the close of a $35 million Series B funding round co-led by Mirae Asset Venture Investment, Mighty Capital, and B3 Capital.
  • "Chat has always been used as a defensive tool, but there are over 3 billion people chatting every day.
  • Alex and his team have built a successful fan platform, and we're confident they will do the same with GameOn."
  • GameOn is the industry-leading intelligent chat platform that powers authentic conversational experiences for some of the world's largest and most popular brands, teams and content properties.

VERSION1 ANNOUNCES MINNESOTA RØKKR HOME SERIES FOR 2022-2023 CALL OF DUTY LEAGUE™ SEASON

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Diamond, Florida Mutineers, Marketing, Oxygen, Call of Duty League, London Royal Ravens, League, Minnesota Vikings, Cod, Growth, Sale, Woman, CDL, Organization, Wilf, VALORANT, Program, Multimedia, Investment, Partnership, Senior, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Boston, Learning, Way Back Home Series, The Guard, Social media, Activision, Season, Environment, VIP, Insurance, Travel, Name, Medical imaging, Sport, Video game, Entertainment, Call, Rocket League

EAGAN, Minn., Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Version1, a gaming and esports entertainment organization, announced the Minnesota Røkkr Home Series, a first-of-its-kind regional esports event concept, taking place during the Call of Duty League (CDL) season, which begins in December.   

Key Points: 
  • The venues Version1 is eyeing for the Rkkr Home Series will accommodate about 1,000 fans.
  • For context, the Call of Duty League Major hosted by Minnesota Rkkr in March-April 2022 sold out at about 2,000 attendees daily for the four-day event.
  • Fans and supporters interested in learning more about the Minnesota Rkkr Home Series can visit rokkrtickets.gg and follow Rkkr on social media for up-to-the-minute information.
  • Our professional teams include Minnesota Rkkr in the Call of Duty League, Version1 in Rocket League, and Version1 and VersionX in VALORANT.

Bush's® Beans Teams Up with Version1 in Invitational Rocket League Tournament Benefitting GENYOUth

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Diamond, Generation Z, Oakley, Minnesota Vikings, View, Awareness, Second Harvest North Florida, Food, School, Foundation, Human, Hunger, Student, CEO, Social media, Gen, Partnership, Wilf, Multimedia, Baked beans, Policy, Feeding America, Creativity, Taste, COVID, Cooking, Program, NFL, Rocket League, Motivation, Super Bowl, Sidekick, Video game, Public relations

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, family-owned Bush's Beans announced that its Foodservice Team has partnered up with Version1, a professional gaming and esports entertainment company, and GENYOUth, a national non-profit organization which creates healthier school communities and battles youth food insecurity, to host an invitational collegiate Rocket League Tournament during Hunger Action Month this September.

Key Points: 
  • Version1 will host the Rocket League tournament on Twitch and is targeting top collegiate esports teams to compete.
  • While the Rocket League teams and players will compete remotely, all the action will be live-streamed in real-time with event hosts and casters.
  • For more information on the partnership between Bush'sBeans, Version1 and GENYOUth and the upcoming 2022 Invitational Rocket League Tournament, please visit bushbeans.com/fightyouthhunger or for more information on GENYOUth or to make a donation, visit www.genyouthnow.org/donate .
  • That's why, from mouthwatering Baked Beans to Chili Beans to our newest Sidekicks, you're cooking up the best with Bush's.

Version1 adds Undeniably Dairy as the Official Nutrition Partner of Version1 Rocket League for the Rocket League Championship Series Spring Split

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Diamond, Digital, Comm, Minnesota Vikings, Region, Call, Insurance, Multimedia, Woman, Farm, Cheese, Psyonix, Health, Cooking, Call of Duty League, Farmer, Marketing, Wilf, Gen, Deloitte, Video, Partnership, Heat, Awareness, RLCS, Dairy, Time, YouTube, WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament, Esports, Glass, Love, Split, VALORANT, Video game, Milk, Sport, Rocket League, Generation Z

EAGAN, Minn., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Version1 , a gaming and esports entertainment organization, has announced the addition of Undeniably Dairy as the Official Nutrition Partner of Version1 Rocket League for Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Spring Split.

Key Points: 
  • EAGAN, Minn., May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Version1 , a gaming and esports entertainment organization, has announced the addition of Undeniably Dairy as the Official Nutrition Partner of Version1 Rocket League for Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Spring Split.
  • "We're thrilled to support Undeniably Dairy as it deepens its marketing roadmap to include esports and, specifically, Rocket League," says Brett Diamond, Chief Operating Officer at Version1.
  • By choosing Version1, Undeniably Dairy adds an esports partner that has developed trust with Rocket League fans and knows how to effectively reach gaming audiences.
  • Our professional teams include Minnesota Rkkr in the Call of Duty League, Version1 in Rocket League, and Version1 and VersionX in VALORANT.

Version1 announces VersionX, its all-women's professional VALORANT team

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Diamond, Wilf, Call of Duty League, Efuse, LAN, Partnership, Rocket League Championship Series, Minnesota Vikings, Astra, Infinity, The Main Event, Karra River, Call, Multimedia, Sincerity, Milky Way, Main, VALORANT, HALO, Environment, Philippine Esports Organization, Program, Rocket League, Female, Woman, Sage, Housing, Growth, Valorant, Counter Logic Gaming, Reyna, Viperidae, Organization, Investment, Insurance, Activision, CS, LoveHateHero, Name, VCT, Video game, Sport, Amusement arcade, Fireworks

EAGAN, Minn., Sept. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Version1 announced its fourth professional esports team, VersionX.  VersionX is an all-women's professional VALORANT team competing in the North American circuit of Verizon VCT Game Changers as well as open pro VALORANT events at all levels.

Key Points: 
  • VersionXisan all-women's professional VALORANT team competing inthe North American circuit ofVerizon VCT Game Changers as well as open pro VALORANT events at all levels.
  • VersionX is an all-women's professional VALORANT team competing in Verizon VCT Game Changers.
  • Milkyway has been a professional competitor since 2016, starting in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and transitioning to VALORANT in 2020.
  • Our professional teams include Minnesota Rkkr in the Call of Duty League, Version1 in Rocket League and Version1 in VALORANT.

New York Law School Receives Transformative Gift to Establish a National Public Interest Scholars Program

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Education, Wilf, Intellectual property, Education policy, Center, Social change, Housing, The Holocaust, Tax law, Collection, Century, School, Program, Privacy, Policy, Lawyer, Public interest law, NYLS, GLOBE, Government, Minnesota, Heart, Democracy, Social justice, New, Goal, Student, Family, Civil and political rights, Industry, Public interest, Food, New York Law School, Minnesota Vikings, Faculty, Property management, Medicine, Tutoring, Management

The gift, made by the Wilf Family Foundations, establishes the New York Law School Wilf Impact Center for Public Interest Law and establishes the Wilf Impact Scholars Program.

Key Points: 
  • The gift, made by the Wilf Family Foundations, establishes the New York Law School Wilf Impact Center for Public Interest Law and establishes the Wilf Impact Scholars Program.
  • As part of the Center, Wilf Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program for public interest law students, including a colloquium on law and social change, concentrations in more than ten areas of public interest law, and a capstone project.
  • Wilf Scholars will benefit from NYLSs specialized public interest advising through the Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono Initiatives, headed by Assistant Dean Swati Parikha recognized leader in the public interest law communitywho will direct the Wilf Scholars Program.
  • Founded in 1891, New York Law School (NYLS) is an independent law school located in Tribeca, the heart of New York Citys legal, government, financial, and emerging tech centers.

Cxmmunity Launches Version1's Scholarship and Mentorship Programs to Bolster Historically Black College and University Students' Involvement in Esports

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Diamond, Industry, Insurance, Call, Interest, Student, VALORANT, Social media, Thought, Leadership, STEM, Name, Marketing, Sport, Wilf, Multimedia, Activision, HBCU, Partnership, Historically black colleges and universities, Rocket League, Education, K-12, Hoodie, Woman, Workforce, Minnesota Vikings, Video game, Management

Version1 is committing $25,000 to establish a scholarship program to increase representation of minorities in esport.

Key Points: 
  • Version1 is committing $25,000 to establish a scholarship program to increase representation of minorities in esport.
  • Cxmmunity will also tap into its network of partners that are currently supporting minority and HBCU gaming initiatives to amplify the overall program.
  • "We are all dedicated to executing a robust program that will be meaningful, memorable and sustainable for these students."
  • Version1 will award four, $5,000 academic scholarships to college freshmen and sophomores attending a HBCU institution during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Minnesota Vikings Blitz into New Technology Partnership with GameOn

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Hypocorisms, Wilf, Minnesota Vikings, Sports in the United States

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GameOn Technology , the industry-leading conversational applications platform, has announced their latest NFL partner, the Minnesota Vikings, to create an official chat experience for Facebook Messenger.

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GameOn Technology , the industry-leading conversational applications platform, has announced their latest NFL partner, the Minnesota Vikings, to create an official chat experience for Facebook Messenger.
  • "We're excited about this new NFL partnership with the Minnesota Vikings," said Kalin Stanojev, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, GameOn Technology.
  • The partnership with GameOn Technology and the Vikings extends deeper, as WISE Ventures, owned by the Wilf family, has announced a strategic investment in GameOn.
  • "We are excited about WISE Ventures' newest investment and growing partnership between GameOn and the Minnesota Vikings," said Brian Cargo, Principal at WISE Ventures.

Wilf Family, Owners of the Minnesota Vikings, Contribute $1 Million to United Way Worldwide's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Mark Wilf, United Way Worldwide, Wilf, United States, American society

"Our thoughts continue to be with everyone who has been impacted by this global crisis," said Minnesota Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf.

Key Points: 
  • "Our thoughts continue to be with everyone who has been impacted by this global crisis," said Minnesota Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf.
  • United Way Worldwide's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund helps families and people in need access critical information and services like food, shelter, and more through the United Way network.
  • "United Way is deeply appreciative of the generous donation given by the Wilf Family Foundation," said Suzanne McCormick, U.S. President, United Way Worldwide.
  • Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 8.1 million donors worldwide and $4.8 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit.