National Investors Join Initiative; Entrepreneur-In-Residence Announced
The Green Bay Packers and Titletown Development today introduced major new partners in TitletownTech’s venture fund, named TitletownTech’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence and announced an extended partnership with Delaware North to provide further service and entertainment in the development.
Joining as out-of-state investors in TitletownTech’s Venture Fund are Jerry Jacobs Jr., Delaware North Co-CEO and alternate governor for the Boston Bruins, and Jeff Wilpon, partner of Sterling Project Development, Sterling Equities and Chief Operating Officer of the New York Mets.
Titletown Thrives into the Future
“This is a great day for Titletown and the Greater Green Bay area,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “Since Titletown opened in 2017, we’ve been pleased with the response to the development and believe it has become the amenity we envisioned when we first began planning a decade ago.
“The development’s initial success and our plans for the future have sparked interest from a wide variety of investors and partners. Delaware North and Sterling Project Development have been key partners for us in the effort and having them expand their roles will be very beneficial for TitletownTech and the region overall. We are excited to move forward with great momentum as we work together on TitletownTech and continue to enhance Titletown.”
Increasing Investments in Wisconsin’s Industries
With the involvement of both local and national investors, TitletownTech will be able to further develop its venture fund, allowing for more investment in high-growth startups aligned with industries in Northeastern Wisconsin that will bring opportunity to the region.
“We are excited to be investors in the TitletownTech Venture Fund, which will embody the spirit of Wisconsin’s beloved football team in helping to grow a dynamic startup ecosystem in the region,” said Jacobs.
“We are proud to take part in the TitletownTech Venture Fund and honored to continue building on our partnership to develop this region and Titletown as a vibrant community to live, work and play.” said Wilpon.
Who Will be the Entrepreneur-In-Residence?
Joining TitletownTech’s team as the UW-Green Bay Entrepreneur-In-Residence is Aaron Kennedy, the founder of Noodles & Company, a high-growth quick casual restaurant with over 350 locations around the U.S. Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, Kennedy has Wisconsin ties, having earned his MBA from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kennedy will work to advance early-stage ventures and entrepreneurial opportunities in the region as well as connect the University of Wisconsin campuses to TitletownTech. Also announced is the addition of Cordero Barkley to the TitletownTech leadership team as Director, Finance & Investments. Barkley, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-Green Bay, joins TitletownTech with a background in wealth management and banking with prior experience at Associated Bank and Wells Fargo.
Expanding the Partnership
Additionally, in conjunction with Delaware North, Titletown and the Green Bay Packers today also announced a multi-year extension of their partnership to include both Lambeau Field and Titletown, as well as management of further entertainment in the TitletownTech building, which will feature an exciting new “eatertainment” concept powered by Topgolf Suites. Delaware North will manage the 11,000-square-foot interactive entertainment venue featuring high-tech simulation bays. The restaurant will feature hand-crafted dishes made with fresh ingredients and regional flavors.
“Delaware North has been a great partner and we’re looking forward to building on that relationship to provide excellent service for our guests,” said Murphy. “We’re excited to work with their team on the entertainment concept featuring the Topgolf Suites. The welcoming atmosphere will make it the place to go for dates, family outings, nights out with friends, and should be popular with golf and gaming enthusiasts. We’re proud to introduce it to the region.”
“Nothing compares to the storied history and gameday energy of Lambeau Field,” said Jacobs on the extension of the partnership. “Delaware North is proud to continue our partnership with the Green Bay Packers to deliver an incredible fan experience inside the stadium and outside in the surrounding Titletown development.”
What Will TitletownTech Include?
The two-story, 46,000-square-foot TitletownTech building will devote approximately 11,000 square feet to TitletownTech’s operations on the second floor. Also located on the second floor will be offices for the leadership team that manages Titletown operations, as well as Titletown Development, the real estate development arm of the Packers.
The exciting new concept powered by Topgolf Suites will be included on the first floor, with additional space for future commercial and entertainment establishments. The venue is expected to open in August.
Delaware North Sportservice, which has been the exclusive food and beverage service provider at Lambeau Field since 2012, has been a part of Titletown since the development opened in 2017, and it will continue bringing world class service as a part of the TitletownTech building and Topgolf’s operations.
TitletownTech will open in the next few months, along with its innovation lab, venture studio and venture fund.
Green Bay Packers
The historic Green Bay Packers, established in 1919, are the NFL’s only community-owned team with more than 360,000 shareholders. With a tradition of excellence, the Packers have captured an NFL-record 13 world championships, including four Super Bowls, and have 25 individuals enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lambeau Field, the Packers’ venerable home, is the longest-tenured stadium in the NFL and recognized by many as having the top gameday experience in professional sports. www.packers.com
Titletown Development LLC
Titletown Development LLC, the development arm of the Green Bay Packers, is building upon the success of Lambeau Field’s major redevelopment in 2003 and recent expansion and renovations with its work on Titletown. The development maximizes its great location just west of the iconic stadium to attract additional visitors to the area, spur further regional economic growth, offer new amenities to residents and complement Greater Green Bay’s draw as an excellent location to live, work and play. Phase one of Titletown included the four-diamond hotel Lodge Kohler, Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery, Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, and TitletownTech, a joint venture with Microsoft that will spur economic expansion in Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond by bringing world-class digital innovations and expertise to Greater Green Bay. www.titletown.com
TitletownTech
Formed out of a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, TitletownTech builds, enables and invests in early-stage and existing businesses. The organization identifies solutions, develops startups, and funds entrepreneurs across five key verticals: sports, media and entertainment; digital health; agriculture, water & environment; advanced manufacturing; and supply chain technology. Through a three-part structure, TitletownTech enables innovation, exploration, and disruption to address industry challenges. The Innovation Lab identifies and explores digital, transformative solutions. The Venture Studio develops creative market solutions with new and existing startups. The Venture Fund invests in high-growth scalable ventures that leverage the region’s strengths. www.titletowntech.com
Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for over 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 55,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than 500 million guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue of more than $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more about Delaware North at www.delawarenorth.com.
Sterling Project Development
Sterling Project Development (www.sterlingprojectdevelopment.com) is a full-service development management and advisory firm. SPD is an affiliate of Sterling Equities, a 50-year-old real estate owner/manager and developer based in New York. Its ownership group also owns and operates the New York Mets as well as SportsNet New York, a regional sports network also based in New York. SPD is currently involved in approximately $20 billion worth of development projects across its advisory portfolio assisting clients throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean.
