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The Dodgers Accelerator
The Dodgers Accelerator is a corporate venture program founded by the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of Major League Baseball's most valuable franchises.
The Dodgers Accelerator
The Dodgers Accelerator is a corporate venture program founded by the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of Major League Baseball's most valuable franchises. It sits within the broader business operations of the team, not as a separate family office or asset manager. Its founding year and specific principal leadership have not been formally disclosed. The initiative provides seed-stage funding and operational support to startups in sports technology, fan experience, and media distribution. Portfolio companies gain access to Dodger Stadium for pilots, player analytics data, and marketing reach via the team's fanbase. Publicly identified portfolio names include BlitzMetrics, a fan-data platform, and VICIS, a helmet technology company (per SportTechie, 2019). The accelerator targets North American startups, though it has considered international applicants, particularly from markets with strong baseball followings. The program's deal sizes range from $25,000 to $100,000, with equity terms that vary per cohort (per public announcements circa 2018). The accelerator maintains a small dedicated team within the Dodgers organization but leverages the broader front office for mentorship. A notable recent activity was the 2023 cohort selection, which included startups focused on AI-driven scouting tools and augmented-reality in-stadium experiences (per the firm's communications, 2023). What distinguishes The Dodgers Accelerator is its operational model: it functions as a corporate accelerator run by a single MLB team, not as a typical venture fund. This structure allows it to offer real-world testing environments within a professional sports context — a rare asset that few other sports-adjacent investment programs can match. Its small check sizes and focus on very early stage companies give it a posture more akin to a corporate innovation lab than a traditional family office.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles
Corporate office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at The Dodgers Accelerator?
The Dodgers Accelerator is managed by a small internal team within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Specific named principals have not been publicly disclosed. The program reports through the team's business operations, rather than a standalone investment committee.
How does The Dodgers Accelerator source proprietary deal flow?
The accelerator sources deals through open applications for its annual cohort, as well as referrals from the Dodgers' network of players, coaches, and front office staff. The team's brand and access to Dodger Stadium act as a draw for startups seeking validation in the sports technology space.
Is The Dodgers Accelerator structured as a family office or a venture firm?
Neither — it operates as a corporate accelerator, a form of corporate venture capital. It is housed within the business operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers, not as an independent investment vehicle. This structure limits its check sizes but gives portfolio companies unique operational advantages.
What investment stages does The Dodgers Accelerator typically target?
The program targets very early-stage startups, typically pre-seed or seed rounds. Investment amounts have been publicly reported in the range of $25,000 to $100,000 per company, with equity stakes negotiated per deal.
Which sectors does The Dodgers Accelerator explicitly avoid?
The accelerator focuses exclusively on sports technology, fan experience, and media. It has not publicly stated explicit avoidance of any sector, but its scope is limited to businesses that can benefit from in-stadium pilots and baseball-related data — effectively ruling out most non-sports verticals.
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