Wayne Kimmel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 30, 1970
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Education |
University of Maryland Widener University Delaware Law School |
| Spouse | Kimby Kimmel |
| Parent(s) | Morton Kimmel, Marcia Kimmel |
Wayne Kimmel (born April 30, 1970) is an American venture capitalist, investor and author. He is the founder and Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital.
Philadelphia Magazine named Kimmel one of Philadelphia's "Top Innovators." The Sports Business Journal named Kimmel a Sports Tech Power Player in 2022 and he was also awarded the 2022 Most Admired CEO award from the Philadelphia Business Journal. [1] [2]
Early life and education
Kimmel was born in Wilmington, Delaware and attended The Tatnall School. His father, Morton, was a notable lawyer based in Wilmington. Kimmel has two sisters, Michelle and Karen, and brother, Larry, an attorney and Managing Partner at Kimmel Carter. [3] Kimmel attended the University of Maryland where he was a broadcaster for their football and basketball teams.
Career
Kimmel got his start as a venture capitalist working for Pete Musser at Safeguard Scientifics. Kimmel moved onto Safeguard's campus in Wayne, Pennsylvania and created a venture capital fund that was connected to Safeguard. Musser then challenged Kimmel to raise $9 million to work with, but Kimmel ended up raising $19 million. [4]
SeventySix Capital
In 1999, Kimmel founded SeventySix Capital, which invested in startups relating to sports, esports, sports betting and tech. [5] SeventySix Capital has invested in many successful startups including Vegas Stats & Information Network, Whistle Sports Network, Indiegogo and Nutrisystem. Investors in SeventySix Capital include Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting, Fanatics CEO Michael G. Rubin, and Arthur Blank, Chairman of AMB Group LLC, parent company of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. [6] In total, SeventySix Capital’s portfolio companies have raised more than $5 billion. [7]
Notable athletes including Ryan Howard, Brian Westbrook, Emmanuel Sanders, Ralph Sampson and DeMarco Murray are all part of SeventySix Capital's Athlete Venture Group, which provides athletes with opportunities to invest and become entrepreneurs. [8]
Kimmel also founded SeventySix Capital's Sports Advisory Group, which is a sports consulting business consisting of an expert team focused on bringing the emerging innovations and technology to sports executives, teams, leagues, brands and family offices. The Sports Advisory practice works side by side with these change-makers across the evolving landscape of sports, including esports, sports betting, media and social responsibility. [9]
Author
Kimmel is a published author. He authored a book titled, "Six Degrees of Wayne Kimmel." The book deals with his career as a venture capitalist and offers advice for entrepreneurs. [10]
Personal life
Kimmel is Jewish. He lives in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania with his wife, Kimby and his two kids. [11]
Kimmel served as the treasurer and a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and sits on the board of trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America. He also serves as a board member and the chairman of the development committee at the Einstein Healthcare Network.
References
- ^ "Power Players: SeventySix Capital". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Dukart, Lisa (December 8, 2022). "Most Admired CEOs 2022: Wayne Kimmel, SeventySix Capital". Bizjournals. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ "Montgomery County Leadership – Wayne Kimmel". MONTCO Today. December 16, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ "The Eastern Tech Fund makes deals, raises $20 million". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "KYX World, a Sneaker-Rental Platform, Raises $3 Million". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ "SeventySix Capital launches new fund focused on betting, esports and tech with owners, players". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "SeventySix Capital's portfolio company Whistle Sports Takes Over Times Square". Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Ryan Howard: A big piece to the future of SeventySix Capital". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Magic City Casino's New Jai-Alai League "Battle Court" Launches with SeventySix Capital Sports Advisory". SeventySix Capital. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY". The Philadelphia Citizen. November 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ "Wayne Kimmel: 'It's Cool to Be Jewish'". Jewish Exponent. Retrieved May 17, 2020.