Dick’s Sporting Goods Launches $50 Million Investment Fund

Dick’s Sporting Goods (Pittsburgh), the 2022 VMSD/Peter Glen Retailer of the Year, has launched DSG Ventures, a $50 million in-house fund that will invest in innovative companies.

“Dick’s would not be what it is today without the support we received along the way from others who saw our company’s potential,” Dick’s Executive Chairman Ed Stack said in a news release. “Now DSG Ventures will enable us to give back and help support entrepreneurs achieve their dreams through our connections, experience and support. We know that DSG Ventures (and our partners) will bring innovative products, services and experiences to athletes around the world.”

Among the companies DSG Ventures has already made initial investments in are:

• Moolah Kicks, a women’s basketball performance footwear brand
• SidelineSwap, an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of sporting goods
• Out&Back Outdoor, an e-commerce site for buying and selling outdoor gear

DSG Ventures is also working with advisory firm VentureFuel on a Retail Innovation Program to identify startups to collaborate with Dick’s on a pilot program focused on enhancing the customer experience. This initiative covers any area of the customer experience, from e-commerce to in-store environment to AI (artificial intelligence), the participants say.