Pro Athlete Community Inc. (PAC), the premier global platform for professional athletes seeking education, mentorship, and post‑career opportunities, today announced the completion of a $7.6 million Series A financing. The oversubscribed round was led by GSV Ventures, with participation from Maveron and several strategic investors. This capital infusion positions PAC to supercharge its mission of supporting its growing network of more than 650 current and former pro athletes around the world uk.finance.yahoo.com+9prnewswire.com+9x.com+9.
Founded in 2022 by EdTech leader Chip Paucek and player-development expert Kaleb Thornhill, PAC has quickly emerged as the go-to resource for athletes navigating the challenging transition out of competitive sports. By partnering with the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, PAC offers executive education certificate programs, hands-on industry experience, certified performance coaching, and, crucially, peer and industry networking .
“Elite athletes are accustomed to performing under pressure and held to the highest standards,” said Paucek, PAC Co‑Founder and CEO. “Yet after retirement, many find themselves adrift, without meaningful resources or support. With GSV’s investment, we’re accelerating our ability to guide the thousands of men and women whose excellence extends far beyond the playing field” br.advfn.com+9prnewswire.com+9x.com+9.
PAC’s growth reflects both its relevance and urgency: membership has doubled since January to over 650 pro athletes spanning more than ten sports and leagues, including roughly 10 percent of active U.S. professional football players . The Series A proceeds will fuel several strategic initiatives:
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Expansion of virtual education offerings, including additional certificate tracks and workshops to deepen athletes’ knowledge in business, finance, mental health, and leadership.
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Enhanced mentorship matching, connecting members with experienced alumni and senior professionals in industries ranging from tech to finance to nonprofit.
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Industry access and experiential learning, granting athletes hands-on exposure to corporate settings, startups, and venture-driven environments.
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Career placement and ongoing support, offering resume coaching, interview prep, and continued community engagement beyond program completion.
“I believed I would be fine after retirement. But when it actually happened, I struggled for months. My identity and my locker room were gone,” shared Devin McCourty, three-time Super Bowl champion and PAC advisory board co‑chair. “PAC understands the unique athlete journey, giving you education, exposure, community, and opportunity to define what’s next. It brought me back home—to that locker room feel and a community that pours into you, and one you can pour back into” lelezard.com+7prnewswire.com+7morningstar.com+7.
GSV Ventures’ Michael Cohn underscored the societal impact of investing in athlete transitions: “The qualities that drive elite athletes—discipline, resilience, teamwork—are invaluable in any field. Yet, until now, post-career support has been limited. PAC has built a safe, empowering space where athletes can access the education, coaching, and relationships they need to thrive. What’s most exciting is the ripple effect: the positive change that this community can bring to industries and society at large. This is just the beginning” .
About Pro Athlete Community (PAC)
Established in 2022, PAC empowers professional athletes to achieve intentional, purpose-driven careers after sports. Through curated education, structured coaching, and a powerhouse alumni network, PAC helps athletes unlock their next chapter. With 650 + members and counting, PAC is proving that athlete excellence isn’t confined to the field. Learn more at www.proathletecommunity.com.
About GSV Ventures
GSV Ventures is a multi‑stage venture capital firm that invests across the education and workforce-skills ecosystem, managing investments from its Fund III. Notable portfolio companies include ClassDojo, Coursera, Degreed, Guild, Handshake, and MasterClass. Committed to empowering lifelong learning and career growth, GSV backs entrepreneurs reimagining how people discover and advance their talents. Learn more at GSV.Ventures.
