Manhattan West, a strategic investment firm offering an integrated platform of investments and services, announced that Manhattan West Private Equity completed its growth equity investment in Volo Sports (Volo). Launched in 2010 as a 16-person bocce league in Baltimore, Maryland, Volo is the premier provider of community-focused and tech-enabled adult social sports and curated events in major cities across the U.S.
With 450,000+ annual registrations, Volo has grown its presence to nine major metropolitan cities through organic launches and strategic acquisitions. And Volo’s goal is to build strong communities that promote genuine human interaction and an active lifestyle. In partnership with its non-profit arm, Volo Kids, Volo supports the creation of free youth sports programming designed to promote active, resilient, and confident kids.
Through its consumer app, Volo offers access to sports, fitness programs, structured tournaments, volunteering through Volo Kids, and social activities, enabling users to meet and connect on and off the field. The app allows players to create teams as captains, invite friends, register/pay for leagues, chat with team members, and see their schedules and standings. Volo Pass, the company’s monthly membership program, allows players unlimited pickup games, practices, league drop-ins, fitness classes, and social events.
With a loyal user base and brand recognition in its communities, Volo will utilize Manhattan West’s investment and partnership to continue its momentum and capitalize on the evergreen social sports sector by continuing its rapid growth into new markets.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are embarking on a game-changing partnership with Manhattan West that we feel will take Volo to the next level of growth. Our ultimate goal is to grow our Volo community, create deeper social connections in our cities, and expand the impact of Volo Kids. We see Manhattan West as the perfect teammate to help us achieve further growth. The network, funding, and intellectual capital from this partnership will help us better serve our existing user base, improve our product offering, and bring the Volo experience to even more cities throughout the U.S.”
- Giovanni Marcantoni, Founder and CEO at Volo Sports
“Volo’s reputation speaks for itself—they are the champions of social sports and community building. We’re excited to join them at this pivotal moment and fuel Volo’s next chapter of the business. At Manhattan West, we partner with amazing management teams to drive exponential growth, and with Volo’s momentum and future plans, we’re confident we’ll accomplish this together.”
- Matt Gibbons, Managing Director of Private Equity at Manhattan West
