Retired tennis pro CiCi Bellis has made her first investment as a venture capital investor, acquiring a stake in hologram tech firm Proto through her firm Cartan Capital. Bellis stated that Proto’s focus on sports tech and health tech aligns with Cartan Capital’s investment strategy. Proto is known for its video technology that projects life-sized, three-dimensional holograms displayed on a seven-foot tall screen called The Epic. The company has gained exposure in the sports industry, with teams in various professional leagues utilizing Proto’s hologram technology. Bellis’s investment of $250,000 forms part of Proto’s $5 million fundraise.
Proto’s CEO, David Nussbaum, expressed optimism about the future of hologram technology, emphasizing its potential in retail, interactive communication, and computing. The company’s hologram devices are deemed suitable for arenas, Halls of Fame, retail environments, and educational institutions. Beyond sports, Proto has applications in retail and medical training. Notable investors in Proto include Tim Draper, Marshawn Lynch, and True Cresset Sports & Entertainment, as well as celebrities like Paris Hilton, William Shatner, and Lil Wayne.
For Bellis, the investment marks a significant milestone for Cartan Capital’s $10 million VC fund. Although the fund typically focuses on seed and Series A deals, the opportunity to invest in Proto later on aligned with their overall investment strategy. Bellis commended Proto’s founders and vision, describing the company as the future of communication and highlighting its broad exposure across multiple industries, particularly in healthcare.
Bellis, formerly a WTA tennis pro, achieved a ranking of 35 in her debut year. Prior to launching Cartan Capital, she worked as an analyst at Lead Sports & Health Tech Partners and currently serves as an advisor to sports-focused startups, including the tennis app Break The Love.
The investment in Proto demonstrates Bellis’s belief in the potential of hologram technology, particularly in the sports and health tech sectors. As other professional teams, retail establishments, and educational institutions adopt Proto’s hologram devices, the future impact and applications of this technology are expected to expand significantly.
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