R/GA Ventures
R/GA Ventures operates 35 sector-focused venture studios out of Brooklyn, NY, partnering with major corporations (Mars, Verizon, Walmart, MLB, LA Dodgers) to invest in and incubate ~190 startups across sports, pet care, AI, blockchain, climate, and health, combining equity capital with R/GA's agency services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What R/GA Ventures does
R/GA Ventures is the venture investment and studio arm of R/GA, established in 2012 to invest in and incubate startups across emerging technology and consumer verticals. Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY with 11–50 employees, the firm operates 35 sector-focused venture studios that partner with major corporations—including Mars, Verizon, Walmart, REI, MLB, LA Dodgers, Intel, Haleon, Macquarie, and Metro—to run accelerator programs and make equity investments. Through these studios, R/GA Ventures has invested in approximately 190 portfolio companies spanning sports technology (ShotTracker, LOVB), pet care (Leap Venture Studio cohort companies), AI (Clarifai), blockchain (qiibee), connected home (Awair), climate (Future Climate), and health (Re/Wire Health).
The core service architecture combines financial capital with operational support from the R/GA agency, including brand, design, and product incubation services, and facilitation of commercial engagements between portfolio startups and corporate sponsors. Studios function as the primary product surface, with named programs such as Leap Venture Studio (pet care), Global Sports Venture Studio, Trailblazer Venture Studio (women in sports), Future Climate Venture Studio, Re/Wire Health Studio, Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio, and Macquarie Capital Venture Studio. Distribution is enterprise-direct, sourced through the parent agency's client relationships and industry partnerships rather than through traditional VC channels.
R/GA Ventures is structured as a wholly-owned subsidiary of R/GA Media Group Inc., which was historically controlled by Interpublic Group (IPG); in March 2025, R/GA bought back its independence from IPG. Revenue is generated through equity investment returns and corporate-sponsored studio programs, with select portfolio exits (Owlet Baby Care $1B+ SPAC valuation, 2021) demonstrating realized value. Following the independence transaction, the firm has signaled an AI-forward posture, debuting a global AI Products Team (June 2025) and acquiring an AI company that had worked with Google (July 2025).
R/GA Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- R/GA Ventures
- Legal name
- R/GA Media Group Inc.
- Website
- https://ventures.rga.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- R/GA Ventures operates 35 sector-focused venture studios out of Brooklyn, NY, partnering with major corporations (Mars, Verizon, Walmart, MLB, LA Dodgers) to invest in and incubate ~190 startups across sports, pet care, AI, blockchain, climate, and health, combining equity capital with R/GA's agency services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
R/GA Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Studio and Corporate Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH), Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF), Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)
Keywords
Where R/GA Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
R/GA Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Investment Returns: R/GA Ventures generates returns through equity investments in startups, providing financial capital alongside agency services support. The company has invested in nearly 200 businesses since its inception over a decade ago.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
R/GA Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
R/GA Ventures is the investment and venture studio arm of R/GA, operating 35 sector-focused Venture Studios that identify, fund, and support startups through equity investment, agency services support, and commercial engagement facilitation. The firm invests in product incubation, IP development, and joint ventures on behalf of corporate partners and has deployed capital into nearly 200 businesses across verticals including climate, sports, pet care, health, blockchain, IoT, and marketing technology.
Product overview
R/GA Ventures operates as a venture studio and investment firm, not a traditional product company. The company provides venture studio programs (Future Climate Venture Studio, Global Sports Venture Studio, Leap Venture Studio, Trailblazer Venture Studio, Re/Wire Health Studio, Coalition Venture Studio, Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio, Navigate by REI, and others) that partner with corporations to identify, fund, and support startups across sectors including climate, sports, pet care, health, IoT, blockchain, and marketing technology. Through these studios, R/GA Ventures has invested in approximately 190 portfolio companies, providing financial capital, agency services, and facilitation of commercial engagements. The venture studios themselves are the primary service offerings, each focused on a specific industry vertical and offering funding, mentorship, resources, and brand/investor connections to selected startups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Future Climate Venture Studio A sector-focused venture studio supporting startups addressing climate change, decarbonization, alternative energy, planetary resilience, and social impact, in partnership with the University of Connecticut.
- Global Sports Venture Studio A venture studio helping sports industry leaders (leagues, brands, media companies, corporates) embrace disruption and engage with the startup ecosystem through innovation pilots and partnerships.
- Leap Venture Studio The world's largest pet care startup accelerator, providing funding, mentorship, networking, and brand services to early-stage pet ecosystem companies, in partnership with Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals.
- Trailblazer Venture Studio The first venture studio focused on women and sports, providing industry access and strategic advantages to companies putting women leaders, athletes, and fans first.
- Re/Wire Health Studio A health collaboration platform created in partnership with Haleon NEXT to improve overall health outcomes through startup engagement and innovation.
- Coalition Venture Studio A venture studio initiative designed to support Black founders with expertise, resources, funding, connections, and education.
- Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio A venture studio created with leading Oregon organizations to identify companies working on enterprise blockchain technologies across healthcare, finance, energy, transportation, sports, and global trade.
- Navigate by REI Coop Path Ahead Ventures A program supporting emerging Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry through funding, mentorship, curated programming, and access to REI's production, distribution, and marketing services.
- Macquarie Capital Venture Studio with R/GA A venture studio created in partnership with Macquarie Capital to identify companies developing technologies that can unlock innovation across the energy ecosystem and infrastructure value chain.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 200 businesses invested since inception
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use R/GA Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
R/GA Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
R/GA Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- qiibeecoreqiibee partnered with portfolio company R/GA Ventures' partner Moda Health to revolutionize healthcare rewards through blockchain-powered loyalty infrastructure. The partnership originated within the Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
- LA DodgerscoreLA Dodgers partnered with R/GA Ventures to create the LA Dodgers Accelerator and Global Sports Venture Studio, focusing on identifying growth-stage companies with potential for partnerships, pilots and testbeds.
- University of Connecticut (UConn)coreUConn leads the Future Climate Venture Studio, a studio for innovators addressing climate challenges including decarbonization, alternative energy, planetary resilience, and social impact.
- Mars PetcarecoreMars Petcare partners with R/GA Ventures and Michelson Found Animals to operate Leap Venture Studio, the world's largest pet care startup accelerator. Mars provides mentors, networking, and brand services.
- REI Coop Path Ahead VenturescoreNavigate program supports emerging Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs in the outdoor industry with funding, mentorship, curated programming, and access to REI's production, distribution, marketing services.
- IntelcoreIntel partners with R/GA Ventures on venture studio initiatives focused on technology and innovation.
- HaleoncorePartnered with Haleon NEXT to create Re/Wire Health Studio, a collaboration platform built to improve overall health.
- MLS (Major League Soccer)coreMLS partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio to help industry leaders embrace disruption and engage with the startup ecosystem.
- Dick's Sporting GoodscoreDick's partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio initiatives.
- MLB (Major League Baseball)coreMLB partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio for sports technology innovation.
- NASCARcoreNASCAR partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio initiatives.
- Michelson Found AnimalscoreMichelson Found Animals co-leads Leap Venture Studio with Mars Petcare and R/GA Ventures, providing mentors, networking, and brand services for pet care startups.
- Moda HealthcoreModa Health partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio and has partnered with portfolio company qiibee for healthcare rewards programs.
- VerizoncoreVerizon partners with R/GA Ventures on Verizon Media Tech Venture Studio and invested in portfolio company ShotTracker.
- Fox SportscoreFox Sports partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio.
- Macquarie CapitalcoreMacquarie Capital partnered with R/GA Ventures to create the Macquarie Capital Venture Studio to identify companies developing technologies that can unlock innovation across the energy ecosystem and infrastructure value chain.
- USTA (U.S. Tennis Association)coreUSTA partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio.
- SnapchatcoreSnap partnered with R/GA Ventures and IPG on R/GA Marketing Tech Venture Studio to augment mobile advertising capabilities. More than half of startups in the cohort became Snap Preferred Partners.
- NBC SportscoreNBC Sports partners with R/GA Ventures on Global Sports Venture Studio.
- MetrocoreGerman retailer METRO (fourth-largest by revenue globally) partnered with R/GA Ventures on the Berlin-based METRO Accelerator focused on digital solutions for food and hospitality industry.
- WalmartcoreWalmart partners with R/GA Ventures on venture studio initiatives.
- WestfieldcoreWestfield Labs partnered with R/GA Ventures on the Connected Commerce Accelerator in San Francisco, identifying companies building new retail and commerce strategies through connected experiences.
- Business OregoncoreBusiness Oregon partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
- BJK Enterprises (Billie Jean King Enterprises)coreBillie Jean King Enterprises co-leads Trailblazer Venture Studio with Elysian Park Ventures, Los Angeles Dodgers, and R/GA Ventures - the first venture studio focused on women and sports.
- Umpqua BankcoreUmpqua Bank partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
- IPG (Interpublic Group)coreIPG partners with R/GA Ventures on Marketing Tech Venture Studio with Snap, Inc. for mobile advertising innovation.
- Innovate UKcoreInnovate UK (UK Government's innovation agency) partnered with R/GA Ventures on IoT Venture Studio UK to identify and support startups using IoT technology for disruptive products and services.
- KinshipcorePartnered with Kinship and Cannes Lions Innovation on R/GA Innovation Exchange to support female founded companies across the global startup ecosystem.
- Cannes LionscoreCannes Lions Innovation partners with R/GA Ventures on R/GA Innovation Exchange with Kinship and Cannes Startup Academy to support female founders and tech startups in marketing, media, and communications industries.
- Portland State UniversitycorePortland State University partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
- Oregon Health & Science UniversitycoreOregon Health & Science University partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
- ConsenSyscoreConsenSys partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio focused on enterprise blockchain technologies.
- Smith + CrowncoreBlockchain research firm Smith + Crown partners with R/GA Ventures on Oregon Enterprise Blockchain Venture Studio.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
R/GA Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Idealab: Founded by Bill Gross, Idealab is one of the longest-running venture studios, building and launching technology companies from inception. It is the closest direct analog to R/GA Ventures' studio model of company creation plus investment.
- Science Inc. Science Inc. operates a venture studio that builds, launches, and invests in consumer and software companies. It shares R/GA Ventures' thesis of combining operating support with capital in a studio structure.
- Atomic: Atomic is a venture studio that partners with corporations (e.g., ADP, Honda) to launch startups from scratch, mirroring R/GA Ventures' model of building sector-specific studios with corporate partners.
- Pioneer Square Labs (PSL): PSL is a Seattle-based venture studio that builds software companies from inception. It competes with R/GA Ventures for talent and corporate partners using a similar studio-plus-capital model.
- High Alpha: High Alpha is a B2B SaaS-focused venture studio that builds and funds companies in partnership with corporate collaborators. Its studio-plus-corporate-partnership structure is directly comparable to R/GA Ventures.
- Highline Beta: Highline Beta is a corporate venture studio that partners with large enterprises to build new ventures, closely matching R/GA Ventures' model of co-creating sector studios with corporate sponsors like Mars, REI, and Haleon.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Techstars operates one of the largest global accelerator networks, partnering with corporations to run industry-specific programs. It is a broader, more established incumbent relative to R/GA Ventures' studio approach.
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play runs corporate-partnered accelerator programs across dozens of verticals, broadly competing with R/GA Ventures for corporate-sponsored cohorts and startup deal flow.
- Match Group Ventures: Match Group Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Match Group, investing in and partnering with consumer-facing startups. It represents the larger corporate-venture model R/GA Ventures operates within as part of R/GA.
Emerging players
- Human Ventures: Human Ventures is a venture studio and fund that builds companies alongside entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on consumer brands. It overlaps with R/GA Ventures on the studio-build model but operates with fewer sector-specific corporate studios.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
R/GA Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceR/GA Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
R/GA Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
R/GA Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
R/GA Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments218 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about R/GA Ventures
What does R/GA Ventures do?
R/GA Ventures is the investment and venture studio arm of R/GA, operating 35 sector-focused Venture Studios that identify, fund, and support startups through equity investment, agency services support, and commercial engagement facilitation. The firm invests in product incubation, IP development, and joint ventures on behalf of corporate partners and has deployed capital into nearly 200 businesses across verticals including climate, sports, pet care, health, blockchain, IoT, and marketing technology.
Is R/GA Ventures a public or private company?
R/GA Ventures is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was R/GA Ventures founded?
R/GA Ventures was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is R/GA Ventures based?
R/GA Ventures is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does R/GA Ventures make money?
One revenue line is on record: investment Returns.
Who are R/GA Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Idealab, Science Inc., Atomic, Pioneer Square Labs (PSL), High Alpha and Highline Beta. Broad incumbents are Techstars, Plug and Play Tech Center and Match Group Ventures. Human Ventures is listed as an emerging player.
Does R/GA Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for R/GA Ventures.
What industry is R/GA Ventures in?
R/GA Ventures's product category is Venture Studio and Corporate Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAC, Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures), with a secondary code of FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.