Burt Sugarman

Overview

Burt Sugarman is an American film and television producer and angel investor based in Los Angeles, California. He is best known for creating and producing the iconic 1970s/early '80s variety series The Midnight Special, which served as a showcase for popular musical groups of the time. Sugarman also produced the 1970s game shows Celebrity Sweepstakes, Whew!, and The Wizard of Odds, and the short-lived series The Richard Pryor Show. In the 1980s, he produced the motion pictures Kiss Me Goodbye, Extremities, and Children of a Lesser God. He was the executive producer of the film Crimes of the Heart in 1986 and the television series The Newlywed Game in 1988. He was also part owner of Barris Industries (later known as the Guber-Peters Entertainment Company) before it was sold to Sony in 1989. During the late 1980s, he was a member of The Giant Group, which had investments in media firms like Reeves Entertainment Group and television broadcaster/cable system operator/newspaper owner Media General. In 1982, he spent $3 million on the stock of the nearly bankrupt South Carolina company Giant Portland & Masonry Cement, and three years later, he bought the Keystone plant in Bath, Pennsylvania. In 2014, Sugarman invested in Wayin, a company that raised $13.1 million in a Series C funding round. He has also invested in Yiftee, a digital gift card platform, which raised $2.1 million in a Series A funding round in 2014. Sugarman's diverse investment portfolio includes companies in sectors such as e-commerce, gift cards, retail, mobile, communities, local, and social media. He has demonstrated experience in supporting a range of businesses across various sectors. While it is not publicly confirmed whether Sugarman is currently seeking new investment opportunities, his past investments provide valuable insight into the types of projects and industries that have attracted his attention. Startups and entrepreneurs operating in sectors related to e-commerce, gift cards, retail, mobile, communities, local, and social media may find it worthwhile to explore potential connections with Sugarman, as his portfolio suggests a familiarity and interest in these areas.

Investment Focus

• Proven track record in the industry
• Scalable business model
• Strong management team
• Clear exit strategy
• Innovative product or service
• Demonstrated market demand
• Competitive advantage
• Financial stability
• Potential for high return on investment
• Alignment with personal values and interests
• Ability to provide strategic guidance
• Willingness to be actively involved
• Clear communication and transparency
• Realistic valuation
• Strong intellectual property protection
• Sustainable business practices
• Ability to adapt to market changes
• Commitment to long-term growth
• Positive company culture
• Clear financial projections

Portfolio Companies