Jock MKT is a Boston-based technology company that operates a skill-based fantasy gaming platform modeled after a stock exchange, enabling users to buy and sell shares of athletes in real-time during live games for real money.[1][2][5] It serves sports enthusiasts and daily fantasy sports players by solving the problem of passive waiting in traditional fantasy formats—users can trade dynamically based on in-game performance, lock in gains early, or hold for final payouts tied to fantasy scoring rankings.[1][4][5] Available in 35 U.S. states, the platform supports NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA Tour, and NASCAR events, with customers having traded 19.3 million shares worth over $218 million in orders as of late 2023.[1][2][5] Backed by venture investors and launched in 2020 after securing licenses like Pennsylvania's, Jock MKT demonstrates strong growth momentum through regulatory expansion and user engagement.[1][2]
Jock MKT was co-founded by Tyler Carlin in Boston, Massachusetts, with the company formally founded in 2017 and publicly launched in 2020 after nearly two years of regulatory work, including obtaining a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.[1][2][5] Carlin, drawing inspiration from stock market mechanics, created the platform to innovate daily fantasy sports (DFS) by introducing real-time trading of athlete "shares" based on performance, filling a gap in lineup-based or prop-bet formats.[1][4][5] Early investors included prominent figures from gambling, sports betting, and DFS like Brandon Adams, Ryan Moore (an early DraftKings backer), Left Lane Capital, Will Ventures, and Alumni Ventures Group, providing pivotal funding such as a $10 million raise highlighted in Boston media.[2][5] Key early traction came from its unique market-based approach, rapid state expansions to 35 markets, and high-volume trading activity.[1][2]
Jock MKT rides the explosion in sports betting and gamified finance, blending DFS with stock-market simulation amid U.S. legalization post-2018 PASPA repeal, which has grown the market to billions annually.[1][2] Its timing aligns with mobile gaming surges and real-money skill games, differentiating from static DFS giants by adding live trading excitement—much like Robinhood democratized stocks for retail traders.[4][5] Favorable forces include state-by-state expansions, rising fan engagement via apps, and investor interest from betting-adjacent VCs, positioning it to influence the ecosystem by pioneering "market-based DFS" and potentially inspiring hybrid finance-sports platforms.[1][2][5]
Jock MKT is poised for accelerated growth through further state licenses, international pilots, and tech enhancements like AI-driven trading signals or esports integration, capitalizing on fantasy sports' projected $50B+ market by 2030. Trends like gamification, Web3 trading, and live-streaming sports will amplify its edge, evolving it from niche innovator to mainstream DFS contender—potentially via acquisition by DraftKings-like players. This stock-exchange twist on fantasy keeps users "in the game every second," redefining sports tech engagement.[1][2][5]
Jock MKT has raised $12.4M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Jock MKT's investors include 305 Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, EQT Ventures, Accomplice VC, B Capital Group, Eclipse Ventures, Hack VC, Insight Partners, Left Lane Capital, Munich Re / HSB Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures.
Jock MKT has raised $12.4M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Series A in February 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2024 | $2.0M Series A | 305 Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, EQT Ventures | |
| May 1, 2021 | $10.0M Series A | Accomplice VC, B Capital Group, Eclipse Ventures, Hack VC, Insight Partners, Left Lane Capital, Munich Re / HSB Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Brian Distelburger, Matt Mickiewicz, Zander Lurie | |
| Dec 1, 2019 | $410K Seed | Accomplice VC, Hack VC, Will Ventures, Brian Distelburger, Matt Mickiewicz, Zander Lurie |
