9/28/2017

Delaware Law Alumnus Wayne Kimmel ’95 took a different path than many other law school graduates, opting to found a venture capital firm rather than become a litigator or transactional lawyer, but his company, SeventySix Capital, has had great success investing in a diverse range of endeavors including consumer behavior, sports, digital technology, shopping malls, healthcare clinics, and online food delivery.

Given SeventySix Capital’s interest in both digital trends and sports, the emerging field of eSports offers a natural area of exploration. Entrepreneur in Residence at SeventySix Capital Brian Selander will speak about “The explosion of eSports and how it exemplifies a transitioning society,” and how “Video gaming has experienced massive growth in just the last few years,” in a talk titled eSports, Out of the Basement, Into the Mainstream as part of the Suburban Philadelphia Speaker Series.

In a recent interview with Pivot Today ahead of his talk, Selander discussed his varied career in business and politics including stints as press secretary for former Delaware Governor and current U.S. Senator Tom Carper and later as Chief Strategy Officer for former Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s first term.

Describing his recent move to SeventySix Capital, Selander said in the interview, “They’re really the best in what venture capital can be – relentlessly helpful, always available, a few steps ahead of the curve and fully committed to the success of every “smart and nice” person they back. Wayne Kimmel is an amazing investor.”

Found in 1999 by Wayne Kimmel ’95, SeventySix Capital invests “in smart and nice people with ideas that are disrupting major industries.” Kimmel’s partners at SeventySix Capital include Jon Powell, CEO of Kravco Company LLC, a leading real estate company that developed the King of Prussia Mall, and Ryan Howard, former Major League Baseball National League MVP and 2008 World Series Champion with the Philadelphia Phillies.