Mario Tama/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Creative Artists Agency has bolstered the leadership in Connect Ventures after expanding into the venture capital world in 2020 via a joint venture with New Enterprise Associates. Veteran investor Nicole Quinn and former CAA executive Michael Blank have joined to lead Connect Ventures as managing partners. Connect Ventures as an investment vehicle identifies and accelerates the growth of early-stage, consumer-focused businesses in the media and entertainment, sports, gaming, health and wellness and e-commerce spaces. In addition, CAA's Adam Friedman has been named as a venture partner at Connect Ventures, serving as the day-to-day lead for the Hollywood talent and sports representation agency. NEA remains a partner in the new-look Connect Ventures, as is CAA, as their origional investment partnership relaunches as a brand new venture capital firm. Related Stories General News Man Arrested at CAA's Sundance Party Following Racially-Charged Assault of Florida Congressman Movies Michael Bay Signs with CAA (Exclusive) "We believe Connect's platform gives us a unique advantage to add significant value to generational change companies. CAA unlocks cultural reach and insights, and NEA provides us with institutional best practices as we aim to help our companies achieve breakout velocity," said Quinn and Blank in a joint statement on Monday. Connect Ventures has looked to leverage CAA's global relationships and expertise in the entertainment and sports landscape and has made investments in consumer categories like TMRW Sports, OpenSea, Slash, and Jomboy Media, among others. "We are so fortunate to partner with Nicole and Mike to launch Connect Ventures and thrilled that our partnership with NEA is taking this exciting next step. Nicole's exceptional investment insight will be instrumental in driving the success of the firm and complements Mike's deep experience as he transitions from his role at CAA, where he oversaw CAA's involvement in Connect Ventures since the beginning, to this new leadership position full-time," Jim Burtson, president, CAA and board member, Connect Ventures, said in his own statement. "Adam now steps into this important position as the agency's primary representative for the new firm. Together, this exceptional team is well positioned to drive the growth of Connect Ventures," Burtson added. Quinn joins Connect Ventures after 10 years with Lightspeed Venture Partners, and before that she was at Morgan Stanley and covered the retail and internet spaces. Blank left CAA in October 2025 after 15 years with the Hollywood agency, most recently as head of consumer investments. Friedman joined CAA in 2012 and has been key to the investment partnership with NEA. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Substack Substack CEO Unpacks Logic of Launching a TV App Steven Mnuchin Steven Mnuchin, Former Trump Treasury Secretary, Joins Lionsgate Board of Directors television Christian Vesper Steps Down as Fremantle's CEO of Global Drama and Film The Four Seasons Production Assistants Union Notches First Win in New York Anonymous Content Anonymous Content Names Darren Walker President and CEO Warner Bros. Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters Says Paramount's Bid for Warner Bros. "Doesn't Pass the Sniff Test" Substack Substack CEO Unpacks Logic of Launching a TV App Steven Mnuchin Steven Mnuchin, Former Trump Treasury Secretary, Joins Lionsgate Board of Directors television Christian Vesper Steps Down as Fremantle's CEO of Global Drama and Film The Four Seasons Production Assistants Union Notches First Win in New York Anonymous Content Anonymous Content Names Darren Walker President and CEO Warner Bros. Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters Says Paramount's Bid for Warner Bros. "Doesn't Pass the Sniff Test"