Pro Athlete Community, Inc. (PAC), the global education and community platform for current and former professional athletes, has closed on a $7.6 million oversubscribed Series A funding round led by GSV Ventures, with participation from Maveron and select strategic investors. The new capital will accelerate PAC’s growth and ability to deliver tailored education, career support and industry access to its members.
Founded in 2022 by education technology executive Chip Paucek and player development veteran Kaleb Thornhill, PAC is redefining what’s possible for athletes after their playing careers. Through executive education certificate programs at the University of Miami’s Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, PAC provides pro athletes with education, hands-on industry experience, certified performance coaching, and access to a network of professional athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, investors, and advisors.
“The world can be incredibly harsh on pro athletes, holding them to the highest standards while playing, then leaving them without meaningful support, resources or recognition for everything they’ve achieved and can still accomplish off the field,” said Paucek, co-founder and CEO, Pro Athlete Community, Inc. “With the support of GSV Ventures and our new partners, we can accelerate our mission and deliver for the thousands of elite men and women whose pursuit of excellence doesn’t stop once the game ends.”
PAC reported that its membership has “doubled since January to over 650 current and former pro athletes across more than 10 professional sports and leagues, including roughly 10 percent of currently active professional football players in the U.S.”
The Series A funding will fuel the launch of new virtual education programs, expanded mentorship, greater industry access, and enhanced career support—all centered on the unique needs of professional athletes.
“I was confident I would be okay when I retired. But when it happened, I struggled for months. My identity and my locker room were gone,” said Devin McCourty, PAC Advisory Board Co-Chair, pro football veteran, three-time Super Bowl champion, and athlete leadership advocate. “PAC recognizes the unique journey pro athletes go through and gives you education, exposure, community, and ongoing opportunities to figure out what’s next. PAC brought me back home—to that locker room feel and a community that pours into you and that you can then pour back into when you’re ready.”
“The pro athlete community is special and full of untapped potential,” said Michael Cohn, co-founder and partner at GSV Ventures. “It’s clear that the elite qualities that make pro athletes successful at their sport have generally not been supported when their playing days are over. PAC successfully created a safe space where athletes can get the education, coaching and connections they need to thrive. What’s perhaps most exciting for us is to see the impact the PAC community can have not just for themselves but for society overall. This is just the beginning.”
Image courtesy Pro Athlete Community, Inc.
