Media Capital Partnership Fuels Growth in Outdoor Activities Market, engaging 165 million Americans and Driving $15 Billion in Annual Guide Spending
Redwood City, October 30, 2024 – Mercurius Media Capital (MMC), a notable U.S. media-for-equity fund, has announced a $1.5 million media capital investment in Captain Experiences, a rapidly growing outdoor sports marketplace company. The investment, structured as a media capital partnership, is designed to bolster Captain Experiences’ brand visibility and expand its reach in key U.S. markets.
With 165 million Americans participating in outdoor activities annually and $15 billion spent on guide fees, the outdoor sports market is thriving and positioned for significant growth.
“Outdoor sports are one of the last untapped frontiers for marketplaces, and Captain Experiences is proving there’s significant potential for business innovation in this sector. They address the inefficiencies in finding quality outdoor guides – which Americans spend an annual average of $15 billion on – by providing a seamless, technology-driven marketplace,” said Piyush Puri, Founding Partner of MMC. “Their platform makes it easy for adventurers and guides to connect, and their impressive growth and solid unit economics continue to stand out. With their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, we believe Captain Experiences is perfectly positioned to tap into the rising demand for experiential travel and adventure tourism.”
Media capital is a proven venture model where growth-stage startups trade equity with media companies in exchange for mass market reach and expertise. By bringing together premium media publishers under one roof, Mercurius Media Capital provides startup companies and media partners the ability to fight for market share in the digital media landscape. This partnership is set to boost consumer demand and cement Captain Experiences‘ brand in the U.S. outdoor and sports adventure markets. The infusion of media resources will allow Captain Experiences to scale its reach, leveraging MMC’s network of media assets.
“This is a pivotal phase of growth for Captain Experiences. This multimedia strategy investment allows our team to focus on continuing to advance our mission to Unlock the Outdoors, while amplifying our ability to support our guides, reach new audiences and enhance our conservation efforts,” said Jonathan Newar, Co-Founder & CEO of Captain Experiences. “We’re pleased to join forces with the fantastic team at MMC and look forward to sharing unforgettable outdoor experiences with families and friends across the U.S.!” MMC’s investment will enable Captain Experiences to build brand awareness by bringing the brand to millions of U.S. viewers via MMC’s media partners’ platforms, including premium digital, TV, and social media channels. The media-for-equity model is a fast-growing sector that has already fueled the success of more than 1000+ startups globally, including successful brands like Uber, Coursera and Airbnb
About Mercurius Media Capital
Mercurius Media Capital (MMC) is an independent U.S.-based media fund backed by top-tier media companies, including Sinclair Broadcast Group and TelevisaUnivision. With its recently launched $50M+ fund, MMC strategically leverages media inventory from its partners to amplify the U.S. presence of emerging brands, accelerating their growth in the competitive startup landscape. Since its inception in December 2023, MMC has deployed media capital across several high-growth companies, including Deskera (a B2B SaaS ERP platform), Edly (a fintech platform for students), and RVnGo (a peer-to-peer RV rental platform). For more information, please visit www.mmc.us.
About Captain Experiences
Captain Experiences is a leading outdoor sports marketplace company based in Austin, Texas. The company’s mission is to make booking outdoor adventures seamless and accessible to all by connecting consumers with verified, experienced guides for fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports. With over 170,000 users and 3,000 verified guides and service providers, Captain Experiences offers a streamlined, trustworthy platform for outdoor enthusiasts to book memorable experiences. For more information, please visit www.captainexperiences.com.
Media Contact
Interdependence PR
Angelic Venegas, Account Director
mmcpr@interdependence.com