The LBE landscape is expanding+evolving, with in-person experiences thriving as consumers prioritize meaningful connections and relationships. Fitness/games/competition are replacing alcohol consumption as the centerpiece for socializing and members clubs are hotter than ever.

Demand for "third places" is driving the rise of members clubs + competitive entertainment venues. Many concepts launch in the UK and then migrate to the U.S. Our venue tracker shows NYC as a leading market for both categories, with several new locations to be announced in 2025.

Poolhouse, an effort from the Topgolf founders to build entertainment clubs around the game of pool, has raised $34 million. venturebeat.com/games/poolhous…

High-tech pool tables, top-notch drinks and a Gordon Ramsey-influenced menu Topgolf Founders’ New Bar Concept Gets $34M From Blitzer, Sharp Alpha sportico.com/business/finan… via @sportico #SportsBiz | #cuesports | #pool

Topgolf Founders Raise $34 Million For Poolhouse, Their Latest Sports Startup trib.al/h6gFCrD trib.al/h6gFCrD

We are happy to announce Sharp Alpha led a $34M seed investment into Poolhouse, a new concept from the Jolliffe Brothers (founders of Topgolf, Puttshack) and Paul Hawkins (founder, Hawk Eye Technology)

We led Poolhouse's $34M seed round with dmg ventures. Financial Times: ft.com/content/9df701… Sportico: sportico.com/business/finan… Forbes: forbes.com/sites/timcasey…

More coverage of our investment in Poolhouse: VentureBeat: venturebeat.com/games/poolhous… Sifted: sifted.eu/articles/topgo… TheCaterer: thecaterer.com/news/poolhouse… The Guardian: theguardian.com/business/2025/…

Sportico: Topgolf Founders' New Bar Concept Gets $34M From Blitzer, Sharp Alpha sportico.com/business/finan…

The Guardian: Topgolf founders raise $34m to turn pool hi-tech as activity bars boom theguardian.com/business/2025/…

VentureBeat: Poolhouse raises $34M for gamified pool from the creators of Topgolf venturebeat.com/games/poolhous…

We have been seeing an influx of innovation in the collectibles space around collateralization and fractionalization. Recently, we noticed accelerated adoption of a mechanic we call 'Mystery Box + Buyback Feature = Slot Machine'. Full article: sharpalpha.substack.com/p/the-next-evo…

Agassi, Blitzer Join $20M VC Round for Racket Sports-Themed Club sportico.com/business/finan…

It's not just about pickleball. With racket sports on the rise and people craving social interaction, Ballers aims to blend competition with culture. f-st.co/GAMf04I

Andre Agassi, Sloane Stephens And Other Athletes Invest In Ballers via @forbes forbes.com/sites/timcasey…

Social Sports Venue Ballers Raised $20M Series A sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/…

A perfect venue for a perfect night 👏 ballers.social.sports