Trevor Paladino
Founding Principal & CIO at Lakeside Capital | Investor, Advisor, Board Member
Tampa, Florida
Overview
Work Experience
Founding Principal
2023 - Current
Lakeside Capital is a private investment firm specializing in private equity and venture capital. With a multi-strategy approach, our portfolio includes technology startups, consumer brands, industrial and home service businesses, and professional sports teams. By providing patient capital and leveraging our extensive network, we strive to unlock sustainable growth and lasting success.
Advisor
2024 - 2025
Strategic advisor and investor in Nickelytics through its acquisition by Kiwibot, where I supported sports-focused robotics initiatives, including securing deployment opportunities during Super Bowl week.
Nickelytics is a developer of an out-of-home advertising platform intended to make shared mobility more sustainable.
Raised $560,200.00 from Hyperspace Ventures and Innosphere Ventures.
Owner
2014 - 2023
I founded The Players Locker, a leading national wholesale distributor of autographed sports memorabilia, specializing in hosting and participating in hundreds of private signings each year to provide wholesale clients and retail partners with memorabilia obtained firsthand directly from athletes. Alongside its distribution business, the company held exclusive game-used equipment rights for more than 75 NFL players, secured exclusive autograph rights to numerous NFL athletes, and built multi-year partnerships with over 30 Hall of Famers across the NFL, MLB, NBA, and professional boxing. In addition to memorabilia distribution, The Players Locker also collaborated closely with clients and industry partners to facilitate athlete marketing campaigns, brand endorsements and athlete appearances.
Owner
2007 - 2014
I founded a sports memorabilia business at age twelve while in middle school, specializing in hosting public and private autograph signings with Baltimore Ravens and Orioles players, along with building an online retail presence featuring Baltimore/DC sports-related autographed memorabilia. I continued operating and growing the business throughout high school. Through our dedicated fundraising department, the company partnered with over 600 organizations, helping them raise hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years by providing a wide variety of sports and celebrity memorabilia for silent auctions, supporting charities and non-profits in achieving their fundraising goals. Media appearances, including being featured on CBS 105.7’s Scott Garceau Show for my expertise in the sports memorabilia industry, contributed to the company’s efforts in establishing Dino’s Authentics as one of Maryland’s leading sports memorabilia companies. Dino’s Authentics maintained a strong presence in Maryland’s sports community and laid the groundwork for the company’s evolution into The Players Locker, expanding into national wholesale distribution channels under the new brand.
Education
Master of Legal Studies
2018 - 2020
Bachelor's degree
2013 - 2017