New Startup Platform Connects Investors to Talent
Los Angeles founders can now access investor matching and business resources without surrendering equity through the new platform.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Startups
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Founders Cristina Pimentel and Caitlin Glazebrook have launched Duets Network, Inc. in Los Angeles, a platform connecting startups in sports, entertainment, and the creator economy with investors and resources. The model allows startups to access professional guidance and capital opportunities without surrendering equity.
Why it matters
The platform addresses friction in startup-investor matching by offering a vetted intelligence layer, helping founders identify relevant support while streamlining sourcing for capital providers. This approach aims to solve the persistent challenge of navigating complex niche markets in the sports and entertainment sectors.
The founders launch with over a decade of collective industry experience following prior tenures at Universal Music Group and Andreessen Horowitz. While the platform operates on an equity-free model, the long-term impact on startup funding efficiency is currently unknown.
The players
Cristina Pimentel
Co-founder of Duets Network, Inc. with over a decade of experience in the entertainment and startup sectors.
Caitlin Glazebrook
Co-founder of Duets Network, Inc. who previously spent three years at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Duets Network, Inc.
A Los Angeles-based platform providing investor connections and resources for sports and entertainment startups.
The details
Duets Network, Inc. utilizes a digital platform to facilitate connections between vetted startups and investors. The service includes an intelligence layer that provides founders with feedback and specific technology stack recommendations to improve operational efficiency. Founders also gain access to a separate consulting arm, while universities and nonprofits are granted a free tier to access the platform resources.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Official launch of the Duets Network, Inc. platform.
Future: Planned expansion of in-person programming for NBA All-Star Weekend and the Super Bowl.
Market Landscape
The launch follows the industry-wide trend of curated network-based platforms like those pioneered by Andreessen Horowitz. It marks a shift toward providing institutional-grade vetting and intelligence layers for smaller, equity-conscious startups.
Operators in the creator economy should monitor this platform as a potential channel for sourcing strategic partners and technology stack recommendations. If the platform successfully executes its vetting process, it may shift how founders in sports and entertainment secure industry guidance.
The takeaway
This platform offers an alternative for founders who need industry-specific vetting without sacrificing equity ownership. Operators should track the efficacy of its intelligence layer as a benchmark for the next wave of industry-focused business resources.
What happens next
The company plans to host member-only events during the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend and the Super Bowl.
Further reading
For more on the local venture environment, visit the Startups section.
More information
To register as a founder or investor, visit the Duets startup and investor registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VentureBeat.
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