Cash flow: Dick’s Sporting Goods and Innovation Works invests (more) in startups | So Good News

Money moves is a column that highlights funding news from the region. Any advice? Email us at [email protected].

DSG Ventures will launch with $50 million

Dick’s Sporting Goods is starting a brand new venture and it (probably) has nothing to do with golf clubs or football cages. A sports retail company is launched in Coraopolis DSG Venturesa $50 million fund that invests in early-stage companies that believe in the power of sport to change lives.

First priority for potential funding will be startups that serve athletes and the communities they come from.

“DSG Ventures enables us to help and support entrepreneurs achieve their dreams through our connections, experience and support,” said the Executive Chairman. Ed Stack stated in the release. “We know DSG Ventures (and our partners) will bring innovative products, services and experiences to athletes around the world.”

Some of the companies DSG Ventures invests in are based in New York Moolah hitsLocated in Tacoma, Washington El1 SportsLocated in Denver Outside and BehindLocated in Boston SidelineSwapand located in New York Courtside Ventures. They are a women’s shoe brand, a youth sports company, an outdoor clothing store, an online sporting goods store, and an organization that partners with early-stage founders to grow their brands, respectively.

DSG Ventures funds companies in pre-Series B stages. Dick’s Sporting Goods did not respond to a request for comment on whether DSG Ventures invests in local companies or whether Pittsburgh-based employees work at the fund.

Innovation increases its investment minimum

Another organization making a difference Innovative works, an early-stage venture capital firm based on the North Side. The firm announced that it will increase its investment level AlphaLab and AlphaLab Gear former $50,000 to $100,000 accelerators. This includes $50,000 in convertible notes when companies set achievement goals during accelerators, and another $50,000 in convertible notes when those goals are met. (Here’s an explanation of what makes convertible notes unique as a financing method.)

IW has already invested $100,000 AlphaLab Health companies.

According to IW’s blog post, the change is to ensure companies have everything they need to grow, from funding to knowledge. The firm also holds 2% common equity in the companies it finances, referring to the shares owned by the founders, employees and all other shareholders of the company.

“IW offers more money, more flexibility and more resources for startups. The 2% equity will remain the same, which is another favorable opportunity for entrepreneurs,” he said. Terry Gluck said technical.ly by e-mail. “We’re all about lowering barriers to entrepreneurship to make tech startups accessible to more people and supporting founders as they take their company to the next stage of growth.”

As part of the agreements with AlphaLab and AlphaLab Gear, companies have access to teams that work with them to help them achieve their goals during the accelerator programs. Belongs to previous investments AdSkate, Make your home safe and AlgenAir.