High School Sports Information Leader MaxPreps Announces Series B Financing
Jul 19, 2006

BuinessWire

Lead Investor Dolphin Equity Partners, and BEV Capital, Join Previous Investor DFJ Frontier in Oversubscribed Round

CAMERON PARK, Calif. - MaxPreps, Inc., the leader in high school sports information and media, today announced it has completed a Series B round of venture financing with participation from BEV Capital, DFJ Frontier, and lead investor Dolphin Equity Partners. MaxPreps also announced that Salvatore Tirabassi of Dolphin Equity Partners and Mike Majors of BEV Capital will join MaxPreps' Board of Directors.

With $7 million in Series B financing MaxPreps will increase marketing and distribution, add new senior management and expand business development efforts.

"We've spent the last few years building a nationwide content network to create a single source for high school sports information," said Andy Beal, MaxPreps' CEO. "Now, with the capital and expertise provided by our new investors, we're going to extend the reach of MaxPreps and continue to build agreements with other top-tier information properties like our recent deal with ESPN."

MaxPreps, launched in 2003, publishes highly detailed high school sports information to a nationwide audience through MaxPreps.com. MaxPreps aggregates its sports information from a network of thousands of high school coaches, professional photographers and freelance writers.

"Dolphin Equity Partners is very pleased to announce our investment in MaxPreps," said Salvatore Tirabassi, partner with Dolphin Equity. "After researching a variety of content and social networking opportunities, we found that Andy and his team have developed a defensible and growing business model in a highly targeted and attractive demographic. We expect MaxPreps to become synonymous with high school sports."

ESPN Agreement

MaxPreps also announced it had entered into a new promotional agreement with ESPN. Under the terms of the agreement, MaxPreps and ESPN will improve coverage of high school football through an exchange of content and promotional support.

Previously, MaxPreps has developed content and promotional agreements with USA Today and the NFL. MaxPreps also works with local newspapers to help enhance local presentation of high school sports information. Clients have included the Los Angeles Times, Arizona Republic, Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Detroit News.

About Dolphin Equity Partners

Dolphin Equity Partners, L.P. specializes in investing in emerging media, enterprise services, technology and communications companies operating primarily in the U.S. and Canada. We help shape the future of these emerging segments by investing in market-leading companies with exceptional management teams. As a trusted advisor and partner, we look to build sustainable value in our portfolio companies through the strategic and operational guidance we provide management. Located in New York City, Dolphin currently manages over $340 million in capital.

About BEV Capital

BEV Capital is a specialized venture capital fund focused on consumer-oriented businesses. The core of our business is investing in consumer companies. This includes retailers, Internet businesses, consumer products, consumer services, media, and restaurants. We also invest in supporting technologies for consumer companies such as marketing software and services, Internet technologies, retail IT, information services, and analytics. For more information please visit www.bevcapital.com.

About DFJ Frontier

DFJ Frontier is venture capital fund known for visionary early stage investing. DFJ Frontier backs passionate entrepreneurs and provides business assistance, not just capital. We typically lead the first round of investment, taking a significant stake in the company and an active role on the Board of Directors. DFJ Frontier, is an affiliate of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and has offices in Sacramento and Santa Barbara, California.

About MaxPreps

MaxPreps, Inc. is dedicated to publishing America's most comprehensive high school sports information web site. MaxPreps.com features stats, stories, and photos featuring high school student-athletes and the outstanding men and women who coach them. MaxPreps is headquartered in Cameron Park, California.