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NBA legend Michael Jordan has raised $10 million in seed funding to launch a blockchain-based platform fan engagement platform built on Solana. The platform, HEIR, is scheduled to go live next year and is designed to link professional athletes with their most ardent supporters.
Michael Jordan Launches Fan Engagement Platform on Solana
NBA champion and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan is the latest celebrity to delve into Web 3.0 and blockchain technology. According to a Dec. 15 announcement, Jordan is launching a new tech venture called Heir Inc., a platform that aims to connect loyal fans with popular athletes.
The startup recently closed the company’s first $10 million seed round led by Thrive Capital. The investments for Heir Inc. further stemmed from Solana Ventures, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, William Wesley the executive vice president and senior basketball adviser for the New York Knicks, and tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian.
As per the press release, Heir is a “next-generation holding company that will build culturally-inspired consumer brands rooted in tech and entertainment.” The new tech platform will also leverage the Solana blockchain network to issue its own “HEIR” token.
HEIR will also showcase NFT assets along with community-building features that let fans join an athlete’s limited-capacity “huddle” for exclusive access and benefits.
Jordan's Long Foray Into the Crypto Market
Michael Jordan’s son, Jeffrey Jordan, will co-lead the firm alongside former Nike brand manager Jeron Smith and marketing consultant Daniel George.
“What HEIR Inc. is developing is purpose-built for a new era of athlete enterprise, opening the door for richer storytelling and deeper consumer engagement. The Jordan name has cultivated a loyal community for more than 35 years; the focus now is passing that legacy on to the next generation. We hope to continue to build and invest in businesses that bring that same reverence to the media and tech space,” Jeffrey Jordan said.
This isn’t Michael Jordan’s first time in crypto space. In March, he took part in NBA Top Shot maker Dapper Labs’ $305 million funding round. He also participated in a $150 million Series C round for Mythical Games, a maker of crypto game infrastructure in November.