Autograph, the Web3 brand co-founded by NFL legend Tom Brady pioneering a new era of digital experiences, announced the closing of a series B funding totaling $170 million.
The funding was co-led by a16z and Kleiner Perkins. This comes on the heels of Series A financing in July 2021 co-led by 01A and Velvet Sea Ventures.
The Series B round announced also includes investments from Lightspeed Partner Nicole Quinn and Katie Haun’s firm, and a follow up infusion from 01A. With this latest round of capital, Autograph will continue to scale its NFT technology with the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment partners, bringing the power and possibilities created by Web3 to the mainstream.
As a key part of this next chapter, Autograph has added significant expertise to the brand by appointing prominent new board members: Katie Haun (who leads her own firm), Arianna Simpson (General Partner at a16z), Ilya Fushman (Partner at Kleiner Perkins). Chris Dixon (General Partner at a16z) will join the board of advisors alongside current members 01A partner Dick Costolo and Velvet Sea Ventures’ partner Michael Lazerow.
They join an active and experienced board that includes co-founders and co-chairmen Richard Rosenblatt and Brady, CEO Dillon Rosenblatt, as well as Eddy Cue, Sam Bankman-Fried, Adam Bain, Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, Peter Mattoon, and Michael Meldman.
Among the athletes Autograph represents are Brady, 15-time major winning golfer Tiger Woods; ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, and others.
Essentially an agency go-between for celebrity athletes and entertainers looking to find a personal presence in the NFT world, Autograph brings together the most iconic brands and legendary names in sports, entertainment and culture to create unique digital collections and experiences. It also aims to help celebrities navigate the misunderstood world of digital assets.
