Tim Tebow has found purpose on a new playing field: venture capital. The Florida Gators football legend and Heisman Trophy winner is now a partner at GOVO Venture Partners, a venture capital firm based in Winter Park, Fla.
The former NFL player turned football analyst will use his expertise and relationships across the state to boost the firm, which recently launched its first venture fund (GOVO Fund I) focusing on early-stage companies involved with government entities and government regulations.
GOVO, whose fund only accepts accredited investors, looks to invest in companies that strive to solve societal problems, whether through environmental technologies or modernizing healthcare. This wide-ranging mission aligns with the Tim Tebow Foundation, a charitable organization that focuses on vulnerable people in need. Tebow ultimately will be tasked with expanding GOVO’s capacity to attract Florida-based investment opportunities while supporting broader company goals.
Tebow’s role calls for him to accelerate the growth of the fund’s portfolio, which features seven companies to date that are involved in cloud clinic healthcare, data-supported traffic management, cybersecurity, connected vehicle commerce, AI-powered voice identification, medicine management and 3-D printed seawalls. GOVO hopes to close on another $10 million by August after ending its initial fundraising window back in 2022, GOVO managing partner Rob Panepinto said via text message.
This isn’t the first time Tebow has been involved in investment strategy; he also personally invested in infant care tech startup Harbor earlier this year, and he bought a stake in a pediatric dental care center near his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., last year. He also was part of consortium of entrepreneurs who invested in men’s apparel brand Rhone last year.
