Art of Sport is a technology company.
Art of Sport has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round.
Art of Sport has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Art of Sport has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Art of Sport's investors include Bam Ventures, Jungle Ventures, Outliers Capital, Polygon, Tribe Capital, Unpopular Ventures, White Star Capital, Kevin Lin, Samvit Ramadurgam.
Art of Sport is a personal care brand specializing in unisex body and skincare products engineered for athletes, not a technology company.[1][2][3] It offers items like deodorants, antiperspirants, body washes, soaps, sunscreens, and recovery creams, using performance-driven formulas with natural ingredients to address athletes' skin needs during training and recovery.[1][3][6] Founded in 2018 in Los Angeles, the company launched direct-to-consumer via its website and Amazon, expanded to major retailers like Target (its largest men's skincare partnership), CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger (over 25,000 locations), and was acquired by Starco Brands in September 2022.[2][3] It serves athletes at all levels, solving problems like skin irritation from sweat and friction with innovative, athlete-informed products; post-acquisition, it has grown into retail with items like performance protein powder at Fred Meyer.[2][3]
Estimated annual revenue is around $2.3M, with early funding of $6M before acquisition.[2][4]
Art of Sport was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Matthias Metternich (CEO), Brian Lee, and NBA legend Kobe Bryant as a founding partner.[1][2][3] For a year prior, a team of skincare scientists developed products using predominantly natural ingredients, informed by athletes' needs unmet by existing body care.[1][3] The idea emerged from recognizing gaps in athlete-focused skincare amid evolutions in apparel, nutrition, and recovery; Metternich aimed to bring innovation to topical products.[1][6]
Kobe Bryant advised on brand-building and storytelling, with early partners including James Harden, Javier Báez, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Sage Erickson, Ryan Sheckler, and Ken Roczen.[1][3][4] Pivotal moments included the October 2018 launch and 2019 Target rollout, marking massive retail traction; acquisition by Starco Brands in 2022 accelerated distribution.[2][3]
Art of Sport rides the direct-to-consumer (D2C) wellness boom, blending e-commerce tech (Shopify-powered site) with athlete-endorsed personal care amid rising demand for performance skincare.[3][6][7] Timing aligns with post-pandemic fitness surges and men's grooming normalization, fueled by retail partnerships and natural-ingredient trends.[1][3] Market forces like e-commerce growth and athlete influencer marketing favor it, influencing the ecosystem by elevating "athlete-engineered" standards—e.g., Starco's 2024 naming of the LA Bowl as the Art of Sport LA Bowl boosts visibility.[2][3] As a Starco division, it exemplifies consumer goods leveraging DTC tech for omnichannel scale.[2][7]
Post-acquisition, Art of Sport is poised for expanded retail penetration and product diversification, like nutritionals (protein powder), amid wellness market growth.[2] Trends in personalized, natural performance care and Gen Z/Millennial fitness focus will shape it, potentially via more athlete collabs and international push.[3][7] Influence may evolve through Starco's resources, solidifying it as a go-to for athlete body care—echoing its origins in unmet skin needs for peak performance.[1][6]
Art of Sport has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $6.0M Series A in September 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2020 | $6.0M Series A | Bam Ventures, Jungle Ventures, Outliers Capital, Polygon, Tribe Capital, Unpopular Ventures, White Star Capital, Kevin Lin, Samvit Ramadurgam |