Revolutionizing Sports: Wayne Kimmel of SeventySix Capital on Innovation, Tech, and the Future of Fan Engagement

In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, host Gui Costin interviews Wayne Kimmel, CEO of SeventySix Capital, a venture capital firm transforming the sports industry through technology and innovation. Founded in 1999, SeventySix Capital has invested in companies like SeamlessWeb and Take Care Health Systems before pivoting to focus on sports.Kimmel highlights the firm’s mission to back entrepreneurs leveraging technologies like AI, data analytics, and augmented reality to enhance both athletic performance and fan experiences. He shares success stories, including the development of the NFL’s pylon cam and smart baseball bats by portfolio company Diamond Kinetics.The conversation explores trends such as the rise of sports betting, immersive fan engagement, and tech giants entering sports broadcasting. With a $3 trillion global industry ripe for disruption, Kimmel emphasizes the need for integrity and innovation, positioning SeventySix Capital at the forefront of sports investment.