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).
Sonali Divilek, Head of Digital Products & Channels at Chase, joins ChedHER to discuss what consumers can learn from the Chase Challenge, and easy ways that people can tidy up their finances this holiday season.
If you're planning to host Thanksgiving dinner this year, be prepared to shell out more cash for your bird. Kristin Myers, Editor-in-Chief at The Balance, joined Cheddar to talk about the rising cost of food due to a number of factors like drought, inflation, and supply chain issues. She noted that families can expect to pay 21 percent more for their holiday meal compared to last year.
Jill and Carlo are back to cover the latest in the Rittenhouse trial, new information on the origins of Covid, return-to-office and more.
JOIN US FOR THE YOUTUBE WATCH PARTY @ 9aET: http://www.youtube.com/cheddarnow
Roundhill Investments is investing in the metaverse, and it wants consumers to as well. The firm launched a metaverse exchange-trade fund called Meta back in June - the first ETF in the U.S. targeting investments in the next era of the internet. The fund's launch came months before the company formerly known as Facebook changed its name to Meta Platforms. Since the launch of Roundhill Investments' Meta ETF, it has grown significantly, reaching $500 million in assets. Roundhill Investments Vice President Mario Stefanidis joined Cheddar News to discuss.
At the turn of the century, a group of female pop stars, actors, influencers began to dominate Hollywood in every conversation in the entertainment industry, whether it was Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, we watched their lives unfold in real-time, seemingly right in front of our eyes. But perhaps the most glaring example of the misogyny these women face came in 2004 when Justin Timberlake tugged at Janet Jackson's booster in the closing seconds of the Super Bowl 38 halftime show. Now 20 years later, that moment in history is being re-examined. Senior Reporter at Vox Constance Grady, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Cognitive healthcare platform BrainCheck recently raised $10 million in a Series B round. The platform offers neurologists a new way to detect and care for brain disorders like Alzeheimer's, and brain injuries like concussions. BrainCheck CEO Yael Katz joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
'General Hospital' actor and activist Cassandra James joins Cheddar News to talk about recent transphobic comments made by her co-star Ingo Rademacher. She also discusses trans rights and the importance of having fair and accurate stories of trans lives portrayed in the media.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Ice Barrel CEO breaks down the physical and mental health benefits to cold therapy training; Dishcraft CEO explains how its robotics is transforming the role of a dishwasher in restaurant kitchens; A look at Curiosity Stream's original series 'The Year That Rocked The World.'
Sting is the latest recording artist looking to unload his music catalog — for a staggering $250 million. Universal Music Group is said to be at the top of the list of suitors but the pop star's hits could still end up remaining with Sony.
