IDL Raises $15M in Series A Funding led by Elysian Park Ventures

IDL, a Los Angeles, CA-based global professional dance league, has raised $15 million in a Series A financing round.

The round was led by Elysian Park Ventures, with participation from Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation, KB Partners, APEX, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund, and October Ventures.

The company will use the funding to expand its tours, improve broadcast and digital production, strengthen support for teams and dancers, develop new fan experiences and grow its commercial partnerships.

What is IDL?

IDL is a professional dance league that brings international dance teams together to compete in a season-long championship.

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The league uses a format similar to professional sports, with head-to-head matchups and season standings that allow fans to follow teams throughout the competition. It aims to build a professional ecosystem around competitive dance through live events, media distribution, and brand partnerships.

IDL launched in May 2026 with six founding teams representing cities around the world. Its format gives dancers a platform to compete internationally and helps fans follow their favourite teams as they compete for the IDL Championship.

How Much Funding Has IDL Raised?

IDL has raised $15 million in its Series A funding round. The company has not disclosed its total funding raised to date or details of any previous funding rounds.

The latest round was led by Elysian Park Ventures, with participation from several companies and investment firms, including Sony Group Corporation and Yamaha Music Innovations Fund.

Who Invested in IDL’s Series A?

Elysian Park Ventures led IDL's $15 million Series A funding round.

Other participating investors included:

• Sony Group Corporation
• Sony Corporation
• KB Partners
• APEX
• Yamaha Music Innovations Fund
• October Ventures

Why the Funding Matters

IDL plans to use the investment to expand its tour operations and improve its broadcast and digital production capabilities.

The funding will also support infrastructure for teams and dancers, new experiences for fans, and commercial opportunities around professional dance.

Who founded IDL?

IDL was founded in 2025 by Connor Lim and Evan Zhou. The company is based in Los Angeles, California.

“This season proved what we believed from the beginning: dance has the audience, the athletes and the global culture to support a professional sports ecosystem of its own,” said Connor Lim, CEO, Commissioner and Co-Founder of IDL. “What has historically been missing is the infrastructure around it.

"IDL’s rapid growth and innovative strategy within sports remain key components to Elysian Park’s decision to once again participate in this fundraise," said Pete Vlastelica, Managing Partner from Elysian Park Ventures.

Market and Business Growth

IDL launched it's inaugural season in May 2026 with six founding teams:

• Brotherhood, Vancouver
• Quick Style, Oslo
• Jam Republic, Singapore
• 1MILLION, Seoul
• Royal Family, Auckland
• GRV, Los Angeles

The teams competed at events in New York, Vancouver, Sydney, Seoul, and Los Angeles. The inaugural season concluded at a sold-out event at Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles-based GRV was crowned the league's first Season Champion.

What Happens Next?

IDL plans to expand its international tours, improve its production capabilities, and strengthen support for participating teams, and dancers.

The company also aims to develop new fan experiences and build more commercial partnerships around professional dance. Its focus is on growing the league's audience, and establishing a broader professional sports ecosystem for competitive dance.

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