Jordan Fliegel | |
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![]() Fliegel in 2023 | |
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | entrepreneur early-stage technology investor |
Title | Techstars Sports Accelerator (Managing Director) Draft.com (Former CEO) CoachUp.com (Founder & CEO) Athletes of Valor (Chairman) |
Jordan Fliegel (born 1986) is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist, focused on the sports industry.
Fliegel is currently Managing Director of the Techstars Sports Accelerator in Indianapolis, which he launched in 2019, and the Techstars NYC Accelerator. Through the two accelerators Fliegel invests in 25 startups annually, and provides access to 200+ mentors and hands-on support. His accelerators have over 50 portfolio companies, including Ergatta, which raised $30M at a $200M valuation in 2021. Fliegel is an investor in over 250 startups as co-founder and Managing Partner of Founders First, and is on the Advisory Board of several high-growth startups, including Fight Camp and Botkeeper
Fliegel was previously co-CEO of Draft.com ("DRAFT"), a venture-backed fantasy sports company headquartered in NYC. In 2017, he sold DRAFT for $48M to Paddy Power Betfair. Fliegel was Founder and CEO of sports coaching company CoachUp.com, backed by $14M in venture-capital and headquartered in Boston. NBA MVP Stephen Curry is Fliegel's partner. Fliegel is currently Chairman of CoachUp, and led the company's last internal $1.5M round of funding. Fliegel was also Chairman of Athletes of Valor, a venture-backed social impact company [1], which was acquired by CoachUp in 2018.
Fliegel and his companies were named to Inc 5000, and awarded Inc “30 under 30”, Forbes "30 under 30", BBJ “40 under 40”, Finalist for Ernst & Young “New England Entrepreneur of the Year” and Sports Business Journal SportsTech Power Player.
Fliegel is a former professional basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem, and former professional basketball team co-owner of the ANBL 4X Champion New Zealand Breakers. Fliegel writes and lecturers on entrepreneurship, investing, and leadership [2], and is the author of "Coaching Up!" (Wiley & Sons, 2016) [3] with a Foreword by NBA & NCAA champion Shane Battier."
Early life
[edit]Fliegel grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is the grandson of former professional basketball player Bernie Fliegel and godson of Guido Goldman, founder of the German Marshall Fund. He attended Cambridge Rindge & Latin School where he played basketball.[1] He graduated from Bowdoin College, with a double major in Government & Legal Studies and Philosophy, and a minor in history. As a Senior he won the Jefferson Davis Book Award, Bowdoin's top prize for academic achievement in Government & Legal Studies.
Collegiate basketball
[edit]Fliegel played collegiate basketball at Bowdoin College. As a 3-year starter and co-captain, he earned Team MVP, All-league, All-state, All-New England, and Jewish Sports Review All-American honors while leading Bowdoin to a 22–7 record (best in school history), the NESCAC Championship game, and the 2nd round of the Men's NCAA Division III Tournament.
Professional basketball
[edit]Fliegel played Professional Basketball for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem[2] in the Israeli Premier and Eurocup Basketball League,[3] and for Hapoel Kfar Saba in the Israeli National League for 2 seasons (from 2008 to 2010).[4]
Business
[edit]Fliegel went from professional basketball to business school, where he earned an MBA from Tel Aviv University. He then founded CoachUp,[5][6] a venture-backed startup operating a website connecting athletes with sports coaches. CoachUp has been covered in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal,[7] USA Today,[8] the Boston Globe, and the Huffington Post.[9][10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ The Entrepreneurist: Jordan Fliegel. Business News Daily.
- ^ "Hapoel adds rookie forward Jordan Fliegel". EuroCup Basketball. 2 September 2008. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Israeli pro basketball team signs alum Jordan Fliegel". Bowdoin Orient. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ CoachUp readies for launch, aiming to connect aspiring athletes with private coaches - Innovation Economy - Boston.com
- ^ "CoachUp readies for launch, aiming to connect aspiring athletes with private coaches". Boston.com. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Inside CoachUp, which connects athletes with personalized trainers". 4 March 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Gabe Kapler, Cam Neely Among Pro Athletes Investing in CoachUp". 2 January 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ "Road Running Travelers Can See Sights and Ease Stress". USA Today. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "The Benefits of Personal Training". Huffington Post. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "CoachUp Launches to Help You Find the Perfect Personal Trainer in Boston". Bostinno. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
- ^ Jordan Fliegel Raises $6.7 Million In Round B Funding For CoachUp – Jewish Business News