51 Ventures is a multi-strategy investment platform backing early-stage founders in sports, health, performance, and consumer brands through venture capital, private credit, and CPG financing.
51 Ventures (51v) is a multi-strategy investment platform backing early-stage founders in sports, health, performance, and consumer brands.
Led by Managing Partner Chris Wilkerson, a former NFL long snapper for the 49ers and Titans turned two-time exited founder, 51v combines venture capital with private credit and CPG financing to give founders both long-term capital to grow and working capital to operate. The firm describes itself as the first of its kind in the sports, wellness, and performance space, offering four solutions: venture capital, private credit (venture debt, factoring, revenue-based financing), CPG financing (credit facilities up to $10 million), and the 51 Playbook, an advisory program for early-stage startups.
The team includes General Partner Sal Filardi, Partners Natalie Dunn, Josh Staph, and Travis Lubinsky, and Head of Platform Roger Bernardino, bringing together backgrounds across professional sports, sports technology, consumer brands, and CPG.
Portfolio companies include Axo Longevity, Pison, Avelo Running, Bridge Hydration, Flex Watches, and Aston Martin F1.
