Draft:Justin Kaufenberg



Justin Kaufenberg is an American entrepreneur and investor. He is a managing director at Rally Ventures, a U.S.-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage business technology.[1] Kaufenberg is the co-founder and former chief executive officer of SportsEngine, a software and payments platform for amateur sports organizations that was acquired by NBC Sports Group (a division of Comcast/NBCUniversal) in 2016.[2][3]

Early life and education

Kaufenberg grew up in Shakopee, Minnesota, and graduated from Shakopee High School in 1999.[4]

He attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where he played varsity hockey for four years. He graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business economics.[5]

Career

Early ventures

While roommates at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Kaufenberg and Carson Kipfer co-founded Third North Creative in 2002, a web development agency named after their dormitory floor and wing.[6][7][5] The company grew to 12 employees before Kaufenberg and Kipfer sold it in 2005.[7]

SportsEngine

Kaufenberg co-founded TST Media in 2008, later renamed Sport Ngin and then SportsEngine, with Kipfer and Greg Blasko. The Minneapolis-based company developed software and payment processing tools for youth and amateur sports organizations.[2][8]

The company raised approximately $39 million in venture capital from investors including Causeway Media Partners, El Dorado Ventures, Univision Communications, Piper Jaffray, and Rally Ventures.[2][9]

By the time of its acquisition, the company had grown to more than 230 employees and served more than five million users.[2] In July 2016, NBC Sports Group, a unit of Comcast's NBCUniversal, acquired Sport Ngin for an undisclosed sum and rebranded it as SportsEngine.[2][9][8]

Kaufenberg remained as chief executive officer following the acquisition.[9] He departed the company in September 2019, by which time SportsEngine employed approximately 450 people.[3][8]

Venture capital

Kaufenberg joined Rally Ventures as a partner in 2019.[1] In December 2020, the firm closed its fourth fund at $250 million.[10] In December 2023, Rally closed its fifth fund at $240 million.[11]

Community and sports involvement

Through TST Media, Kaufenberg's company acquired operations of the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in 2010.[6][4] In 2018, he received the Lou Lamoriello Award, which honors former college hockey players or coaches for distinguished professional achievement.[5][12]

References

  1. ^ a b St. Anthony, Neal (October 2, 2019). "Former SportsEngine CEO joins Rally Ventures". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e Spangler, Todd (July 18, 2016). "NBC Sports Acquires App Player Sport Ngin, Diving Into Youth and Amateur Sports Market". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  3. ^ a b St. Anthony, Neal (September 26, 2019). "Founders at SportsEngine leave three years after sale to NBC Sports". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Holtz, Kristin (January 20, 2012). "From the rink to the Web and back". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "UW-Eau Claire's Kaufenberg To Receive AHCA's Lou Lamoriello Award During Frozen Four Weekend". American Hockey Coaches Association. February 21, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Nelson, Todd (February 21, 2011). "Second shot at goal". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Vomhof Jr., John (July 26, 2010). "Justin Kaufenberg". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c Gilyard, Burl (February 26, 2018). "The Twin Cities metro is becoming a hub for sports apps". MinnPost. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c Crosby, Jackie (July 18, 2016). "Minneapolis data start-up Sport Ngin is acquired by NBC Sports". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  10. ^ St. Anthony, Neal (December 11, 2020). "Rally Ventures raises $250 million in fourth venture fund". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  11. ^ Duggan, J.D. (December 26, 2023). "Rally Ventures closes $240M fund, adds Google exec". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  12. ^ Abeln, Todd (April 3, 2018). "Shakopee grad to be honored at Frozen Four". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved May 15, 2026.

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