Why we invested in Campus Ink

We're proud to announce our investment in Campus Ink, led by Founder and CEO Steven Farag. This dynamic sports apparel company partners with colleges, teams, and student-athletes through their innovative NIL Store. We join investors including Mark Cuban, WNBA Champion Renee Montgomery, LightBank, and Capital Innovators.

Campus Ink began when Steven started selling campus apparel as a University of Illinois student. After graduating in 2014, he acquired a local printing shop and transformed it into Campus Ink. His industry expertise and connection to the collegiate community have driven remarkable growth.

The company's flagship NIL Store is revolutionizing the creator economy for student-athletes. With their 110th store milestone and official NCAA license, Campus Ink enables athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness through merchandise sales. Athletes earn 15-20% on each sale, with the platform already distributing over $1,000,000 in payouts.

Beyond athletics, Campus Ink partners with Greek organizations, reinforcing their commitment to student entrepreneurship.

Our investment thesis centers on Campus Ink's potential to transform both the collegiate apparel market and the emerging $1 billion NIL space. Since NIL opportunities were only legalized in July 2021, this market remains in its early stages with substantial growth ahead. Campus Ink is strategically positioned to capture significant market share.

Following our initial investment, we've witnessed tremendous expansion in Campus Ink's client base and revenue. This growth, supported by impressive market traction, prompted our follow-on investment earlier this year.

This opportunity aligns with our strategy of backing innovative companies in underrepresented geographies. Steven and his team have built a standout operation that's garnered national attention. We remain committed to investing in diverse voices across the United States.

Campus Ink exemplifies how talent from diverse regions can drive industry transformation. We're excited to support their mission of empowering student-athletes while reshaping the collegiate apparel landscape. The NIL market is experiencing explosive growth, and Campus Ink is at the forefront. With a proven business model and significant traction, Campus Ink represents a chance to participate in a market transformation.