On the heels of signing a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves organization, Ryan Howard announced his role as a partner at venture capital firm SeventySix Capital, which invests in innovative seed and early stage consumer-facing tech, retail, sports and wellness companies.
Led by Managing Partners Wayne Kimmel and Jon Powell, SeventySix Capital’s track record includes five portfolio companies acquired by Fortune 500 companies and a top performing U.S. stock for five consecutive years.
Howard will leverage his business acumen and relationships to source new opportunities for the firm and take portfolio companies to the next level. Additionally, he will work closely with entrepreneurs and investors who share in SeventySix Capital’s commitment to building game-changing companies. Howard and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority are among several investors in the firm’s newest fund, which they are continuing to raise.
“Other than playing the game I love, my passion is investing in innovative companies and helping the entrepreneurs behind them succeed. While I continue to work towards another opportunity with the Majors, I’m excited to grow my partnership with SeventySix Capital,” said Howard. “Wayne, Jon and the SeventySix Capital team are best in class, and committed to building successful companies. Together, by leveraging the full weight of our knowledge, expertise and relationships, we can make a huge impact at home in Philadelphia and around the world.”
Howard is actively involved with SeventySix Capital’s portfolio companies and partners, including a recent collaboration with Whistle Sports and helping Rubicon Talent generate entrepreneurial opportunities for their clients, which include professional athletes Greg Olsen, DeMarco Murray and Kerri Walsh Jennings.
“At SeventySix Capital we don’t just invest in ideas, we invest in people,” said Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital. “For us, it’s about passionate, smart and nice entrepreneurs who create companies that change the world for the better, and Ryan Howard embodies those traits. Whether on the field or off, Ryan is determined to continue to make a difference.”
Howard most recently enjoyed 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies including winning the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award (2005), the NL Most Valuable Player Award (2006) and World Series Championship (2008). During this time, he contributed to the Philadelphia community through charitable endeavors including the Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation and Little Rhino book series, published by Scholastic, which focuses on engaging students in the essential area of literacy.
Howard’s partnership is the latest in several strategic moves from SeventySix Capital over the past year including bringing the Microsoft Reactor to Philadelphia to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, announcing its latest Entrepreneur in Residence and its partnership with Rubicon Talent in the sports world. SeventySix Capital’s current portfolio companies include Whistle Sports, Indiegogo and Startup Health. The new fund’s initial investment is in Israeli startup, kwik, an open end-to-end IoT platform connecting retailers, brands and delivery providers.
Photo courtesy SeventySix Capital
