ComedySportz

What ComedySportz does

ComedySportz, operating legally as CSz Twin Cities, is a privately held, single-location improv comedy theater founded in 1989 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. It is a member of the CSz Worldwide franchise network, which spans more than 25 U.S. and European cities performing the ComedySportz format — a competitive improv comedy show where two teams of actors create short games and scenes on the spot from audience suggestions to earn points. The company performs from Strike Theater at 824 NE 18th Ave in Northeast Minneapolis, hosting matches on the 2nd and 4th weekends each month.

The core product portfolio is built on three pillars: (1) public ComedySportz matches ticketed through Tempotickets at the Strike Theater venue; (2) an 8-week progressive improv education program (Levels 101-301, plus a $35 sample intro class) that culminates in a showcase performance; and (3) private and corporate event engagements (30-90 minutes, in-person or virtual), including Applied Improvisation team building workshops targeting soft-skill development such as communication, leadership, and creativity. The technology backbone is intentionally minimal — a Wix-hosted website, the Tempotickets ticketing integration, and outbound phone-based booking (612.870.1230). There are no disclosed software products, API surfaces, patents, or AI/ML components; the underlying "technology" is the proprietary ComedySportz competitive-improv format itself, originated by the franchise network.

Revenue is generated through four transactional streams: per-show ticket sales, per-learner class tuition (e.g., $170 for a 6-week Level 101 course), customized private event fees (quote-based, undisclosed), and corporate team building / improv training workshops. The go-to-market combines event-driven consumer attendance at Strike Theater, sales-led direct outreach (phone, website contact, referrals) for corporate private events, and community-led class registration that doubles as a performer talent pipeline. Named enterprise customers include 3M, Target, Cargill, US Bank, General Mills, Wells Fargo, and Martin Luther College. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, and no external funding, venture backing, or acquisition activity is disclosed.

Name

ComedySportz

Legal name

CSz Twin Cities

Website

https://csztwincities.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CSz Twin Cities is a single-location, franchised improv comedy theater in Minneapolis-St. Paul operating since 1989. It performs competitive ComedySportz shows, teaches progressive improv classes, and delivers private events and corporate team building workshops in-person and virtually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Improv Comedy Entertainment

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Improv Comedy Performances (MPAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ), Comedy Club & Showcase Nights (MPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Improv comedy shows
• Corporate team building
• Improv training classes
• Private event entertainment
• Live comedy performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Show Tickets: Ticket sales for ComedySportz matches at Strike Theater, typically held on 2nd and 4th weekends. Early bird pricing available for advance online purchases.
2. Private Event Booking: Customized ComedySportz shows brought to customer locations (corporate events, schools, churches, fundraisers). Shows range 30-90 minutes, tailored to fit any budget or event type. Both in-person and virtual options available.
3. Team Building Workshops: Applied Improvisation workshops for corporate teams, delivered on-location or virtually. Instructors work with groups on soft skills including creativity, teamwork, leadership, and communication.
4. Improv Classes: 8-week improv classes (Levels 101-301) teaching basics of improv and ComedySportz. Classes encourage quick thinking, bold choices, agreement and building, confidence, listening, and embracing failures. Final week features a showcase performance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CSz Twin Cities performs competitive improv comedy shows under the proprietary ComedySportz format, in which two teams of actors play short games and scenes based on audience suggestions to earn points. The company also offers private customized shows brought to customer locations, progressive improv education classes (Levels 101–301 plus a sample intro class), and applied improvisation workshops adapted for corporate team building and business soft-skills training, delivered in-person or virtually.

Product overview

ComedySportz operates as a single-location improv comedy theater offering a portfolio of related products centered on its flagship ComedySportz show format — competitive improv comedy played like a sport with two teams performing audience-suggestion-based games and scenes. The company provides three core offerings: live ComedySportz performances (at Strike Theater and on-the-road), private/customized event shows, and structured improv education (classes Levels 101-301 plus a sample intro class). Business-oriented extensions include Applied Improvisation Team Building workshops and Improv Training for Business, which repurpose improv principles for corporate skill development. All offerings share the core ComedySportz brand and methodology and are available in-person or virtually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Strike TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary performance and class venue partnership. Strike Theater provides the physical space for ComedySportz matches (every 2nd and 4th weekend) and improv classes. Located at 824 NE 18th Ave, Minneapolis with free parking and concessions. The venue hosts the company's regular performance schedule.
• CSz Worldwide (Franchise Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSz Twin Cities is part of CSz Worldwide, a franchise network of more than 25 cities in the U.S. and Europe performing ComedySportz. Network shares common core values of collaboration, inspiration, gratitude, and fun. Includes cities like Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Seattle, and Manchester (UK).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Florida Studio Theatre: Established regional theater producing improv and comedic programming for tourists and corporate groups; broader portfolio but overlapping use cases for entertainment and team-building.
• The Second City: Largest U.S. improv and comedy theater brand with national touring, training centers, and a corporate arm (Second City Works) that directly competes for the Applied Improvisation / team-building wallet.

Direct peers

• The Groundlings: LA-based improv and sketch comedy theater with a structured training program (levels analogous to CSz 101-301) and touring/private event bookings.
• CSz Worldwide (ComedySportz franchise network): Parent franchise network operating the ComedySportz format across 25+ cities. Identical product, audience-suggestion competitive improv, and shared brand standards make this the closest comparable entity.
• Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB): National improv and comedy brand operating theaters and training centers in NYC and LA; similar layered model of shows, classes, and corporate/private bookings.
• Unexpected Productions: Seattle-based improv theater offering audience-interactive shows, a multi-level training center, and corporate workshops. Closely mirrors the ComedySportz operating model.
• ImprovBoston: Regional improv comedy theater running shows, classes, and corporate training; comparable scale and product mix to ComedySportz Twin Cities.
• iO Theater: Long-running Chicago improv theater offering long-form shows and a training center. Comparable product mix (live shows + improv school) targeting similar consumer and corporate audiences.

Regional players

• Boom Chicago: Amsterdam-based improv and comedy theater performing in English with corporate team-building offerings; comparable format and corporate services but in a different geography.

Emerging players

• Second City Works: Corporate training arm of The Second City delivering Applied Improv workshops for soft skills — a more direct competitor specifically for CSz Twin Cities' highest-margin team-building revenue stream.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/csztc
• Facebookfacebook.com/comedysportztwincities
• Instagraminstagram.com/csztc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csz-twin-cities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ComedySportz