Athletic Ventures

Monday Spotlight on Nicholas Crocker, an invaluable member of the AV family and our Investment Advisory Committee! As a GP at Blackbird, Nick drives innovation from Melbourne, supporting founders and fostering growth across companies like Culture Amp and Eucalyptus. Known for his sharp memory (he never forgets a face) and his love for basketball, Nick’s expertise shines through in everything he does. His journey includes founding ventures like Sessions and We Are Hunted, and he’s been published in Wired, Fast Company, and HBR. Join us in celebrating Nick’s continued impact on AV and beyond! 🏀🚀

Another great year! 👏 🥂

Thursday Morning Shoutout to Justin Lipman – our own "Jerry Maguire of VC" and a powerhouse on the AV Investment Advisory Committee! A B2B SaaS specialist, Justin is all about moving forward without needing all the answers – a strength that serves him well across his director roles. He's known for his integrity and, let’s be real, a serious Gelato Messina addiction! And when he’s not advising founders, you might catch him listening to Rory Sutherland on The Knowledge Project. Fun fact: Justin was a #10 in Rugby Union during his junior years – clearly bringing a winning mindset on and off the field. We’re grateful to have Justin as part of our AV Family!

Monday Morning Shoutout to Vuki Vujasinovic – a powerhouse in guiding ambitious brands and a key supporter of AV. As the founder of Sling & Stone, Vuki has built a global, award-winning agency that’s helped shape the messaging and growth of some of the world’s most innovative companies. His expertise has earned him well-deserved recognition on the Forbes 30 Under 30, B&T 30 Under 30, and StartupDaily Top 50 Emerging Leaders lists. We’re grateful to have Vuki’s insights and guidance as an advisor, helping us continue to elevate AV. Thanks for your support, Vuki!

🏌♀️ You can't be what you can't see 🏌♀️ I have been working with Cathleen Santoso since January and she has been nothing short of an inspiration in: ✨ Empowering athletes on and off the field, supporting their transitions beyond sports with confidence. ✨ Spearheading the development of AV College, an education platform providing athletes with essential knowledge and tools for financial literacy, career transitions, and personal growth. ✨ Advocating for diversity, fostering an inclusive environment for athletes across all sports, genders, and backgrounds. ✨ Encouraging female leadership, working to create more opportunities for women in investment and business. Building a thriving athlete community, connecting over 400 athletes to learn, grow, and support each other through Athletic Ventures. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with her and see the impact she has made for our athletes and in our eco-system. I would like to nominate her for the Startmate Woman Leader of the Year. #youcantbewhatyoucantsee #ladymatesleadership

A huge shoutout to Aisling (Ash) McGettigan CA, GAICD (Ash) as a nomination for the Startmate Woman Leader of the Year Award! 🏆 Since joining us in January, Ash has been a driving force behind the evolution of our holistic financial operations, overseeing our trustee migration, and has led the structural and strategic decisions—culminating in the launch of our first fund! Throughout this intense journey, Ash has showcased remarkable intelligence, an unrelenting work ethic, humility, composure, and her signature sharp humour. We’re incredibly proud and privileged to have Ash as part of the AV team, and she would be a worthy winner. Go Ash! 🚀✨ #youcantbewhatyoucantsee #ladymatesleadership

Thursday Morning Shoutout as we welcome Laurie Malone, our newest Venture Partner at AV! Laurie is the CEO of VALD and a true innovator in sports and health technology. Originally trained in law and finance in Brisbane, he found his calling in tech that drives performance and recovery for athletes. Under his leadership, VALD has become a leader in sports science, empowering athletes, high performance managers, and health professionals worldwide with cutting-edge assessment and training tools. Laurie’s expertise in both business and technology makes him a fantastic addition to the AV family. We’re excited to have him on board! Welcome, Laurie!

Have you checked out our new website yet? This new website reflects our journey and the incredible community of athletes, founders, and investors growing with us. A big shoutout to the TAG team for bringing the AV rebrand and website to life! Nothing more to say - take a look: www.athletic.vc

Monday Spotlight as we welcome Tim Doyle, our newest Venture Partner at AV! Tim is a visionary leader and the Co-founder and CEO of Eucalyptus, a company that’s reshaping digital healthcare, supporting over half a million patients across the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia. With experience spanning digital and data strategy - he even contributed to political campaign strategy for the Australian Labor Party - Tim’s background is rich in innovation and growth! Tim’s depth of expertise and passion for building impactful businesses make him an invaluable addition to the AV family. Welcome, Tim!

Awesome to be a part of this group of athletes in the latest model from Athletic Ventures Off field it’s exactly like your playing career, it’s about surrounding yourself with great people. Very fortunate to have been put in touch with the legend Matt de Boer 🚀