Australian Open’s AO Ventures Invests in Jump, the Enterprise AI Platform for Sports
AO Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tennis Australia and the Australian Open, has announced an investment in Jump, an enterprise AI platform built for professional sports organisations, as it continues to back technologies shaping the future of sport and entertainment.
The investment marks the seventh company to join the AO Ventures portfolio in the fund’s first 15 months, reflecting growing confidence in technologies helping rights holders deepen fan engagement, modernise operations and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Founded by Jordy Leiser, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, Jump combines ticketing, fan data, marketing tools and branded mobile applications into a single AI-powered platform designed specifically for sports organisations.
As fan expectations continue to evolve, AO Ventures believes there is a significant opportunity for sports organisations to leverage AI to create more personalised experiences while building stronger, year-round relationships with their audiences.
“Sport is entering a new era where AI will fundamentally reshape how organisations engage with fans, operate commercially and deliver experiences,” Tennis Australia Director of Innovation and General Partner of AO Ventures Dr Machar Reid said.
“We’re particularly excited by businesses that sit at the intersection of fan engagement and operational efficiency, helping rights holders better understand and serve their audiences while creating new commercial opportunities.
“As one of the world’s leading sporting events, the Australian Open provides us with a unique perspective on the evolving needs of fans. We believe technologies like Jump will play an increasingly important role in helping sports organisations build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their audiences.”
Jump has already established an early foothold in the professional sports market through its relationship with the Minnesota Timberwolves, providing a strong foundation for future growth across the broader sports and entertainment industry.
“Every sports organisation will be rebuilt around AI,” Jump Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jordy Leiser said.
“Jump’s platform puts AI to work, purpose-built for sports, across ticketing, sales, service and the fan experience, with measurable results. AO Ventures sits at the centre of one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Their backing validates and accelerates our push to bring modern technology to rights holders well beyond the US.”
The investment will support Jump’s continued growth and expansion of its enterprise AI capabilities, helping professional sports organisations automate workflows, increase revenue and enhance the fan experience.
About Jump
Jump is the enterprise AI platform for sports, helping teams grow revenue, drive efficiencies and deliver a better fan experience. Jump brings ticketing, team-branded mobile apps, fan data and marketing functions together in one connected system, with AI that powers agentic workflows across the organization. Founded in 2021 by Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez and Jordy Leiser, and backed by leading investors and team owners, Jump partners with clubs across the NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, NWSL, USL and NCAA. Learn more at jump.com.