Game-Changers & Bright Futures

Kicking Off the New Year at OHV:

We took a short hiatus in early January to focus on advancing our goals, and we’re thrilled to share some exciting news: our first fund is set to launch this year! 🏆 Our mission to fuel innovation in health and wellness is more focused than ever.

If you’d like to dive deeper into our investment thesis, including how we differentiate ourselves in the venture capital space, feel free to email us for our white papers. Be on the lookout for a full announcement of our board members and general partners soon!

The Rise of Women's Sports: A New Era of Opportunity 🏀🏐

Women’s sports are having a breakout moment, and the momentum is undeniable. In 2022 alone, women’s sports sponsorships grew by 20%, outpacing men’s sports sponsorship growth. Now, with new leagues and partnerships forming, this trend is only accelerating.

One major highlight is Unrivaled Basketball, a revolutionary women’s basketball league that promises to attract top talent and create dynamic sponsorship opportunities. This league will set the stage for unprecedented exposure in women’s basketball and inspire a new generation of athletes.

Closer to home, LOVB (League One Volleyball) is creating waves, and we couldn’t be prouder that Austin is part of the action with a local team. Volleyball is the second-most played sport in the world, with over 800 million players, and the league is positioned to leverage its massive global popularity.

Why does this matter? The rise of women’s sports is reshaping the sports landscape, unlocking new revenue streams, engaging untapped audiences, and driving equity across the board. The sports sector as a whole is benefitting, with women’s leagues projected to generate over $1 billion in annual revenue by 2030.

Paving the Way for Healthier Food

In a groundbreaking move, the FDA banned Red Dye 3, an artificial coloring linked to health concerns ranging from hyperactivity in children to potential carcinogenic risks. This dye, found in over 2,900 products, has long been scrutinized for its negative health effects.

This could mark the beginning of a regulatory domino effect. Public health advocates have called for further action on other harmful additives like seed oils and artificial sweeteners. The question isn’t if, but when, brands will pivot to cleaner formulations.

We expect major players to embrace “clean-label” transparency to meet consumer demand for healthier options. In fact, 60% of consumers now actively seek products with no artificial ingredients, and brands that lead in this space could capture significant market share.

The Decade of Healthier Consumerism

Over the last decade, the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector has undergone a seismic shift. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing health-conscious options, driving innovation across food, beverage, and supplement categories.

Here are three major trends shaping the market:
1️⃣ Higher Protein Alternatives: Products like high-protein snacks and beverages have exploded in popularity. For example, the U.S. plant-based protein market is expected to surpass $10 billion by 2030.

2️⃣ Functional Foods: More than 70% of consumers report buying foods with added health benefits, such as probiotics, adaptogens, and collagen.

3️⃣ GLP-1 Medications: Initially designed for diabetes treatment, GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are reshaping the health and wellness landscape by addressing obesity at its core. These drugs have shown promising results, with users losing an average of 15% of their body weight—a shift that could reduce rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity-related healthcare costs.

This transformation highlights a clear trajectory: a future where healthier consumer habits translate to longer lifespans, reduced chronic illnesses, and better quality of life.

🌟 Other News

• 🩸 Ultrahuman & InsideTracker launch longevity blood tests in the U.S.

• 📱 Noom adds a GLP-1 tracker and meal planner to boost medication adherence.

• 🚗 NASCAR is launching a FAST channel called the "NASCAR Channel" exclusively on Tubi.

• 🛑 The FDA has authorized the sale of ZYN nicotine pouches.

• 🍫 Ferrero Group acquired Power Crunch, adding to its impressive portfolio.

• 🌟 Bloom Nutrition released a new Strawberries & Cream flavor in its Colostrum & Collagen Peptides line.

• ❌ Chubby Snacks reportedly shuts down due to financial and legal challenges.

• ⚡ C4 Energy is now the official energy drink partner of the Miami Heat.

• 🌌 LesserEvil Snacks refreshed its popular Space Balls snack line.

💸 Money Moves

Wellness Industry

• 🍺 EIGHT Brewing Co., co-founded by NFL legend Troy Aikman, raised over $26M in equity funding.

• 🥂 Hiyo, a non-alcoholic social tonic brand, secured $19M in fresh capital.

• 💦 Private equity firm Gryphon Investors acquired a majority stake in sparkling water brand Spindrift.

Human Performance

• ⚽ Real Madrid broke records, becoming the first football club to generate €1 billion+ in annual revenue.

• 🏟️ Texas-based Presidio Investors acquired 100% of Italian soccer club Hellas Verona.

• 🌍 Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney expanded their soccer investments, purchasing a Colombian team for over $30M.

• 🏂 The Snow League, founded by Shaun White, raised $15M to support snowboarding and freeskiing competitions.

• ⚽ Sixth Street launched Bay Collective, a new women’s soccer initiative to invest in clubs globally and capitalize on the sport’s rapid growth.