Collaborative Fund Buys Stake in D.C. United, Sees Sports Ownership as Startup Showcase

Collaborative Fund, a venture capital firm, has acquired a stake in Major League Soccer's D.C. United and its stadium. The firm's founder, Craig Shapiro, views this investment as a strategic opportunity to provide a platform for the firm's portfolio startups.

This move by Collaborative Fund follows a trend of venture capital firms entering professional sports ownership. Shapiro's vision is to leverage the visibility and engagement of a sports franchise to benefit the emerging companies backed by his fund, creating a unique synergy between sports business and venture capital.