Former NBA Lakers star Metta Sandiford-Artest, also known as Metta World Peace, has joined forces with Stephen Stokols, the former CEO of Boost Mobile, to launch Tru Skye Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in sports and health tech startups. According to Sportico, the firm aims to raise $100 million in funding and has already cut its first formal check to Barcode, a performance beverage company founded by former New York Knicks and LA Lakers Performance Director Mubarak Malik.

This news comes on the heels of a growing trend of athletes entering the venture capital space. Just last month, Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo announced the launch of Build Your Legacy, a firm investing in sports and entertainment companies. Other notable athletes with their own venture firms include Steph Curry, Serena Williams, and Kevin Durant. This shift towards venture capital highlights the increasing interest of athletes in investing in innovative technologies and companies that align with their passions and values.

Tru Skye Ventures' focus on sports and health tech startups is particularly noteworthy, given the growing intersection of technology and athletics. With advancements in wearable technology, data analytics, and personalized health, the sports tech industry is poised for significant growth. By investing in startups in this space, Tru Skye Ventures is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and drive innovation in the industry.

The partnership between Sandiford-Artest and Stokols brings together a unique combination of sports industry expertise and business acumen. Sandiford-Artest, a 15-year NBA veteran, brings a deep understanding of the sports industry and its needs, while Stokols' experience as CEO of Boost Mobile provides a strong foundation in business operations and strategy. This partnership is likely to prove instrumental in identifying and supporting promising sports and health tech startups.

As the sports tech industry continues to evolve, the launch of Tru Skye Ventures marks an exciting development in the space. With its focus on investing in innovative startups and its partnership between a sports industry veteran and a seasoned business executive, Tru Skye Ventures is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation in the industry. As the firm begins to deploy its $100 million fund, it will be interesting to see the impact it has on the sports tech ecosystem.

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