Investor in Rumble Boxing & Van Leeuwen Announces New Deals
*By Madison Alworth*
The venture capital firm that's already funded cult favorite start-ups like Rumble Boxing and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream has found its newest investments, and its co-founder came to Cheddar to announce them.
Tracy Dubb, partner at M3 Ventures, said Gen Z-centric media company [Brat](https://www.brat.com/) and dance-fitness company Forward Space are extensions of her company's values.
"It's become this second nature sort of desire people have to be healthy and to think of themselves that's affecting all elements of the consumer space," Dubb told Cheddar in an interview Wednesday. Her company focuses on start-ups that promote healthier living for young people.
"Rumble Boxing and Forward, for example, are in the fitness space, and they do well because people, rather than going out for an indulgent meal or a nightclub, they want to do something that makes them feel good about their bodies and give them a sense of community. Those things have come together to create a lot of successful businesses in the space," Dubb said.
M3's investment in Rumble is an example of the firm's commitment to finding trends before they catch on.
The boxing studio [continues to grow](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rumble-opens-third-nyc-studio-with-five-story-location-on-manhattans-upper-east-side-300690200.html) and includes celeb clients like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and practically every other millennial in your Instagram feed. Dubb hopes Forward Space, which is set to launch in New York next month, can draw similar interest.
For the slightly younger consumer, M3 sees Brat as an ideal partner.
"It's our first toe in the water in the Generation Z market, which is going to be important. There's a lot of attention paid right now to millennials, but this is also a very important, very different demographic," Dubb said.
Brat creates original content for Gen Z viewers, and most stars on the network have their own viral social-media followings. The network taps influencers with the hope of converting followers into fans.
Among M3's other investments are medical scrubs brand Jaanuu, jewelry company Still House, and athleisure maker Spiritual Gangster.
For more on this story, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/vc-fund-with-pulse-on-youth-culture-announces-two-new-investments).
Miami's real estate market has boomed since early 2020, thanks to an overall strong housing market, remote work, and no income tax as incentives. The city is preparing to welcome even more residents as people relocate to warmer climates to work from home. Garrett Derderian, director of market intelligence at SERHANT, joined Cheddar to discuss the Magic City's red hot market.
Actor, entertainer, and hip hop icon Queen Latifah is partnering with It's Bigger Than Me, an initiative with the goal of ending the stigma around obesity. She joined Cheddar News to discuss how she is working toward educating others and having important conversations about the social struggles that come with obesity. “We can’t let the Queen Latifah’s of the world not exist. We need people to care about other people," the "Hustle" star said.
Sarah Warbelow, legal director for Human Rights Campaign, joins Cheddar News to discuss why advocates want to overturn the FDA's rule restricting gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
Actor Jamie Chung joins Cheddar News to talk about her upcoming projects and her new partnership with Duracell helping parents learn more about hidden dangers in their home. But that's not all, she plays a fun game with us too!
Child care marketplace startup Kinside announced raising $12 million in a Series A round led by venture capitalists who are mothers themselves. The company aids parents searching for affordable child care easier by providing concierge support in a marketplace of verified professionals and helping them tap into flexible spending accounts (FSA) and other benefits. Founder and CEO Shadiah Sigala joined Cheddar News to talk about the fresh funds and the ongoing effects of the pandemic on the care of young children.
When it comes to diversity in children's toys, we have come a long way as a society but we still have a ways to go. One group of students decided to take matters into their own hands. Truly You! Character Creator is a fashion illustration activity set made for youth by youth. Lindsay Buckingham, one of the toy’s creators, sat down with Cheddar News to talk all about it.
David Levine, elections integrity fellow with Alliance for Securing Democracy, joins Cheddar News to discuss Politico's bombshell finding revealing the RNC's plan to contest the elections.
Perfect for Pride Month, Hulu’s "Fire Island" is a queer take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The cast of the gay rom-com, Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, and Matt Rogers, joined Cheddar News to discuss the groundbreaking film. "I had to write it completely and have something to point to, to say this is the story, this is actually good, this is something that people will want to watch," said the writer and star Booster. "And so it took a long time, but I'm very lucky and blessed that I had a lot of people along the way who believed in it."
Catching you up on today’s entertainment headlines with CBS in the works to replace James Corden on the "The Late Late Show," "Top Gun: Maverick" facing a copyright lawsuit, Neve Campbell not returning to "Scream 6" over a disagreement about her salary, and more.
