KB Partners
KB Partners is a suburban Chicago venture capital firm founded in 1996 that invests $1-3 million initially in early-stage companies at the intersection of sports and technology, providing hands-on operational support and board participation to build sports tech market leaders.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersHighland Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KB Partners does
KB Partners is a suburban Chicago-based venture capital firm founded in 1996 by Keith Bank that invests at the intersection of sports and technology. The firm deploys $1 million to $3 million as initial institutional capital into early-stage companies, typically reserving a similar amount for follow-on, and supports portfolio companies through board participation, hands-on operational guidance, and access to a network spanning NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and sports technology executives.
The firm's active portfolio spans a diverse sports technology stack including AI-supported live event platforms (VOW), smart sensor-enabled basketballs with AI coaching analytics (SportIQ), real-time video streaming with sub-300ms latency (Phenix), AR/VR training and gaming products (StatusPro), sports wagering infrastructure (Pro League Network, Compliable, GridRival, nVenue), connected coaching platforms (asensei), esports data (PandaScore), and social media analytics for sports and entertainment (MVPIndex). Notable exits include Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce), Hammerhead (acquired by SRAM), Repeat.gg (acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment), Club Champion, Full Swing Golf, and MST Analytics (acquired by ATMI).
KB Partners' business model follows standard VC economics, generating revenue through management fees on committed capital under management and carried interest on profitable exits. The firm has completed investing out of its KB Partners Myriad Opportunity Funds I and II and is transitioning to a more selective model of funding individual opportunities through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). The investment team of five people combines operators, former professional athletes, military veterans, and alumni of J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Boston Consulting Group, and Capital One.
KB Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KB Partners
- Legal name
- KB Partners
- Website
- https://kbpartners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- KB Partners is a suburban Chicago venture capital firm founded in 1996 that invests $1-3 million initially in early-stage companies at the intersection of sports and technology, providing hands-on operational support and board participation to build sports tech market leaders.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KB Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro industry
- Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists)
Keywords
Where KB Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Highland Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
KB Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Fund Management Fees: VC firms typically charge management fees on committed capital under management, typically 2% annually on fund size.
- Carried Interest (Carry): The primary value creation mechanism for VC firms is carried interest—typically 20% of profits above the hurdle rate returned to LPs. KB Partners has had successful exits including Club Champion Golf, Golf.com, Buddy Media (sold to Salesforce), Fusion Risk Management, and MST Analytics.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
KB Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KB Partners is a venture capital firm that invests $1 million to $3 million in early-stage companies at the intersection of sports and technology, typically as the first institutional capital into a company with reserved follow-on capital. The firm provides hands-on operational support, board participation, and access to its deep sports industry network in addition to capital, operating through its KB Partners Myriad Opportunity Funds I and II and selectively through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
Product overview
KB Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investments at the intersection of sports and technology. The firm deploys $1 million to $3 million initially with reserved follow-on capital. KB Partners' portfolio spans a diverse range of sports technology companies including AI-powered platforms (VOW, nVenue, Flex), smart sports equipment (SportIQ/SIQ smart basketball), real-time streaming (Phenix), esports and betting (PandaScore, GridRival, Pro League Network), connected coaching (asensei), AR/VR training (StatusPro), golf simulators (Full Swing Golf), cycling technology (Hammerhead), compliance solutions (Compliable), social media analytics (MVPIndex), and sports analytics (ShotQuality). The portfolio represents both current investments and successful exits including Club Champion, Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce), Fusion Risk Management, and Hammerhead (acquired by SRAM).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KB Partners Myriad Opportunity Fund I
Quantifiable outcome
- Multiple successful exits including Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce), Club Champion, Fusion Risk Management, MST Analytics, Hammerhead (acquired by SRAM), Repeat.gg (acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Companies that use KB Partners
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
KB Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KB Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KB Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Courtside Ventures: Early-stage VC firm investing at the intersection of sports, technology, media, and entertainment. Closest direct peer to KB Partners given shared sports-tech vertical focus and comparable check sizes.
- Sapphire Sport: Sports-focused venture firm backed by Sapphire Ventures, investing across sports, fitness, and wellness technology. Direct competitor for sports-tech seed and Series A deals with deeper institutional backing.
- Elysian Park Ventures: Investment arm of the LA Dodgers ownership group focused on sports ventures. Recently co-invested with KB Partners in IDL; represents strategic sports capital competing for the same sports-tech deals.
- Drive by DraftKings: DraftKings' corporate venture arm investing in sports technology, gaming, and adjacent verticals. Direct peer in sports-tech with strategic corporate backing and overlap in betting-related portfolio companies like Pro League Network.
- Bruin Sports Capital: Sports-focused investment firm providing capital across sports business including technology, media, teams, and venues. Comparable sports-specialist mandate though typically with larger check sizes and later stages than KB Partners.
Broad incumbents
- RedBird Capital Partners: Growth-oriented investment firm with deep sports franchise, media, and technology exposure (AC Milan, Liverpool FC, Skydance). Larger incumbent operating across sports-adjacent sectors that overlaps with KB Partners' thesis at later stages.
- Comcast Ventures: Diversified corporate venture arm of Comcast/NBCUniversal with significant sports exposure through NBC Sports and regional sports networks. Competes for sports-tech deals where media distribution and broadcasting rights are key strategic assets.
Emerging players
- Techstars Sports Accelerator: Sports-focused accelerator program backed by Techstars' global accelerator network. Adjacent participant in early-stage sports-tech deal flow with an accelerator model rather than traditional fund structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KB Partners social profiles
Digital presenceKB Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KB Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
KB Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KB Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments75 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KB Partners
What does KB Partners do?
KB Partners is a venture capital firm that invests $1 million to $3 million in early-stage companies at the intersection of sports and technology, typically as the first institutional capital into a company with reserved follow-on capital. The firm provides hands-on operational support, board participation, and access to its deep sports industry network in addition to capital, operating through its KB Partners Myriad Opportunity Funds I and II and selectively through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
Is KB Partners a public or private company?
KB Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KB Partners founded?
KB Partners was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is KB Partners based?
KB Partners is headquartered in Highland Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does KB Partners make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fund Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest (Carry).
Who are KB Partners's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Courtside Ventures, Sapphire Sport, Elysian Park Ventures, Drive by DraftKings and Bruin Sports Capital. Broad incumbents are RedBird Capital Partners and Comcast Ventures. Techstars Sports Accelerator is listed as an emerging player.
Does KB Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for KB Partners.
What industry is KB Partners in?
KB Partners's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAD, Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists). Its NAICS code is 5259 and its SIC code is 6282.