Your Window Into the Innovation Economy

As the CEO of Alumni Ventures, America’s largest venture capital firm for individual investors, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that VC can have on businesses and the portfolios of accredited investors. The essence of that impact is powerfully captured in The Venture Mindset, a recently released bestseller by Stanford Professor Ilya Strebulaev and tech executive Alex Dang. The duo brings a great mix of academic insight and rigor, plus boots-on-the-ground, been-there entrepreneurship. For anyone considering venturing into this asset class — or building a nimble business — it’s an insightful must-read.

The recent NCAA policy change on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has revolutionized the college sports landscape by enabling athletes to monetize their personal brands. This shift not only benefits student-athletes but also introduces significant investment opportunities in NIL platforms, brand partnerships, and technology solutions. Investors can capitalize on this emerging market by backing digital platforms that facilitate NIL transactions, engaging with companies that craft athlete-brand collaborations, and supporting tech innovations that assess athletes’ market value. As the NIL market matures, it offers prospects for potentially substantial economic returns and a more equitable sports ecosystem.