Key Takeaways
- • Duets Network, Inc. launched in Los Angeles by Cristina Pimentel and Caitlin Glazebrook to connect pre-seed and seed-stage startups in sports, entertainment and the creator economy with thesis-aligned investors, expert guidance and business resources.
- • Investors pay a subscription for introductions to vetted startups and detailed company information, with both founders and investors remaining anonymous until investors choose to engage.
- • Startups join without giving up equity or committing to a fixed accelerator program, and universities and nonprofits receive a free Ideator tier.
- • Pimentel and Glazebrook bring prior experience from Universal Music Group, Andreessen Horowitz and 500 Global, and the platform is building expert and talent networks.
- • Duets plans member-only events around NBA All-Star Weekend and the Super Bowl, with dates and locations to be announced.
Summary
Cristina Pimentel, a media startup industry leader, and Caitlin Glazebrook, a venture capital and startup ecosystem-building veteran, have launched Duets Network, Inc., according to a Business Wire announcement datelined Los Angeles. The platform aims to help startups in sports, entertainment and the creator economy find the people, support and funding they need to grow. Duets positions itself as a one-stop shop for founders, combining investor connections, expert guidance and business resources on a single online platform, with an intelligence layer that provides business feedback and tech stack recommendations.
The company connects pre-seed and seed-stage startups with thesis-aligned investors and offers discounted perks and tools to help founders scale. Duets reviews each startup, helps founders prepare for investor introductions and vets experts and service providers before they join the network. For investors, a paid subscription provides introductions to vetted startups and detailed company information. The service is aimed at angels, micro funds and emerging funds seeking early-stage companies that match their criteria. Both sides remain anonymous until investors choose to engage. Startups join without giving up equity or committing to a fixed accelerator program, and universities and nonprofits can access a free Ideator tier.
Duets is also developing an expert network, where founders can browse and book sessions for strategic guidance from early stages through launch and early traction, and a talent network to help startups find skilled team members. Pimentel and Glazebrook offer tailored advice through Duets' consulting business, which works as an extension of clients' teams. The firm says it is already helping athletes and entertainers explore business and investment opportunities. Consulting clients named in the release include WEIR AI, which helps high-profile individuals manage the use of their face and likeness online, and Kintra, which uses hormone and other biomarker data to inform athlete recovery and performance. Kintra's advisors and shareholders include UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane and Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi.
Pimentel previously helped build Universal Music Group's digital innovation and accelerator efforts, and Glazebrook spent three years as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz before that, following a senior role at 500 Global. Following events at LA and SF Tech Weeks, Duets is expanding in-person programming, with member-only events planned around NBA All-Star Weekend and the Super Bowl and a recurring curated dinner series. Dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
The company connects pre-seed and seed-stage startups with thesis-aligned investors and offers discounted perks and tools to help founders scale. Duets reviews each startup, helps founders prepare for investor introductions and vets experts and service providers before they join the network. For investors, a paid subscription provides introductions to vetted startups and detailed company information. The service is aimed at angels, micro funds and emerging funds seeking early-stage companies that match their criteria. Both sides remain anonymous until investors choose to engage. Startups join without giving up equity or committing to a fixed accelerator program, and universities and nonprofits can access a free Ideator tier.
Duets is also developing an expert network, where founders can browse and book sessions for strategic guidance from early stages through launch and early traction, and a talent network to help startups find skilled team members. Pimentel and Glazebrook offer tailored advice through Duets' consulting business, which works as an extension of clients' teams. The firm says it is already helping athletes and entertainers explore business and investment opportunities. Consulting clients named in the release include WEIR AI, which helps high-profile individuals manage the use of their face and likeness online, and Kintra, which uses hormone and other biomarker data to inform athlete recovery and performance. Kintra's advisors and shareholders include UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane and Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi.
Pimentel previously helped build Universal Music Group's digital innovation and accelerator efforts, and Glazebrook spent three years as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz before that, following a senior role at 500 Global. Following events at LA and SF Tech Weeks, Duets is expanding in-person programming, with member-only events planned around NBA All-Star Weekend and the Super Bowl and a recurring curated dinner series. Dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
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