NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Cashmere Fund (Ticker: CSHMX), a next-generation venture fund making startup investing more accessible, today announced that Damar Hamlin – Buffalo Bills safety, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one of the most influential athletes in sports – has invested in the fund and partnered with the Fund’s subadviser, Cashmere LLC (Cashmere).
Hamlin brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial vision and community involvement to Cashmere. Known for his resilience on and off the field, Hamlin has built a powerful personal brand, including founding the Chasing M’s Foundation. Through Chasing M’s, Hamlin has launched national campaigns that blend health advocacy, youth empowerment, and social impact.
Already an active venture investor, Hamlin anticipates advising The Cashmere Fund’s portfolio companies on business development, help source early-stage investments in the consumer, health and wellness verticals, and further expand Cashmere’s influential network across sports and entertainment. Hamlin’s current partnerships in the venture ecosystem include Don’t Quit!, a soon-to-launch protein-infused soda brand, JABA, an AI brand coach for athletes and the One Eight Fund, a venture fund targeting personalized and preventative healthcare startups.
“Since coming aboard to Cashmere, Damar’s humanity, strong investing instincts and mission-first mindset have been a welcome boost to our staff, investors and portfolio companies,” said Elia Infascelli, CEO of Cashmere. “We’re thrilled to have him on our team helping to shape the future of investing.”
Beyond his business ventures, Hamlin’s health-focused initiatives, such as the nationwide CPR Tour and Heroes Scholarship, have influenced policy across 12 states and activated partnerships with leading brands. His advocacy work for increased access to cardiac care recently landed him on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Health list.
“I’ve always considered myself a natural born entrepreneur and community builder, and Cashmere is giving more people the chance to invest in a previously restricted asset class and more founders the support they need to build meaningful companies,” said Hamlin. “I’m proud to be part of a team that’s not just investing in startups, but in access, equity, and the next generation of leaders.”
The Cashmere Fund recently announced partnerships with Hamlin’s teammate and 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen, as well as fashion designer, entrepreneur, and television personality Jenna Lyons. With these partners in place, Cashmere is building a powerful flywheel of Compound Influence, creating better visibility and growth trajectories for Cashmere’s portfolio companies.
About The Cashmere Fund
The Cashmere Fund (Ticker: CSHMX), an evergreen interval fund, seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation through an actively managed portfolio of private, early-stage venture capital investments. The Fund’s portfolio managers seek to leverage their networks of influence in the sports and entertainment industries to further compound and accelerate growth in the Fund’s portfolio companies. Learn more about The Cashmere Fund at www.thecashmerefund.com. Paid partnership with Damar Hamlin.
Contacts
Media:
ICR
Chris Gillick, Matt Lettiero
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