Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
4 days ago
United States Rob Dyrdek has transitioned from professional skateboarder to a multifaceted entrepreneur, television personality, and venture capitalist, consistently applying a systematic approach to building businesses and media empires.
Rob Dyrdek's partnership with DC Shoes revolutionized how athletes work with brands, turning what was once a simple sponsorship into an immersive brand experience. He launched his first signature shoe (the RD 1) with DC in 1995, beginning a 20-year partnership that included 29 signature shoes.
After decades of working as a pro-athlete and media personality, Dyrdek now runs Dyrdek Machine, helping other entrepreneurs get their start. It's a venture studio that partners with visionary entrepreneurs to fuse art, science, and magic to create meaningful businesses.
Dyrdek Enterprises acquired DNA Distribution, the holding company for his original skateboarding sponsor brand, Alien Workshop, and other brands. He appeared in Alien Workshop's skate video, 'Memory Screen', in 1991 and the company began producing signature Dyrdek skateboards soon after.
A top skater at the age of 16, the Ohio native would open his first business—the skateboard accessory company Orion Trucks—at 17.
In 2010, Dyrdek launched Street League Skateboarding (SLS), a professional skateboarding competition series. The league offered the highest overall purse in the history of the sport ($1.6 million) for its championship event in 2012 and expanded into a global series.
In 2014, Dyrdek and his production company Superjacket Productions agreed to a multi-year deal with MTV to continue producing 'Ridiculousness' and 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory'. This company also created and produced 'Snack-Off', 'Jagger Eaton's Mega Life', 'Crashletes', and 'The Dude Perfect Show'.
Dyrdek performed the first kickflip with a Chevrolet Sonic, filmed as part of a television advertisement for Chevrolet.
Dyrdek co-invented the first 'skateboard car,' a customized Ford Mustang which appeared on 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory'.
The Raine Group and Causeway Media Partners provided venture capital backing to form Thrill One Sports & Entertainment after a merger of Nitro Circus and two Dyrdek-created entities: Street League Skateboarding and Superjacket Productions. All three companies became subsidiaries of Thrill One.
Through Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek has co-founded, funded, and developed Lusso Cloud.
Mindright, a nootropic nosh company, was co-founded by Rob Dyrdek, Travis Barker, and Joe Jonas through Dyrdek Machine.
Through Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek has co-founded, funded, and developed Outstanding Foods.
Leisuretown, co-founded by Rob Dyrdek and Diplo through Dyrdek Machine, specializes in THC beverages.
Through Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek has co-founded, funded, and developed Momentous.
Through Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek has co-founded, funded, and developed Deon Libra.
Through Dyrdek Machine, Dyrdek has co-founded, funded, and developed Jolie.
Black Feather Whiskey was co-founded by Rob Dyrdek and Travis Pastrana through Dyrdek Machine.
Rob Dyrdek is an investor in the UFC.
Rob Dyrdek is an investor in the clothing brand, Stance.
Rob Dyrdek capitalized on opportunities with MTV to create hit shows like 'Fantasy Factory' and 'Ridiculousness'.
Robert Stanley Dyrdek was born on June 28, 1974, in Kettering, Ohio. He began skateboarding at age 11 and quickly gained recognition, earning a sponsorship from Surf Ohio and later from Gordon and Smith Skateboard Company. By age 15, Dyrdek won a National Skateboard Association competition, and at 16, he moved to Southern California to pursue a professional skateboarding career, turning professional in 1991. Early in his career, he appeared in Alien Workshop’s skate video, “Memory Screen,” and founded his own skateboard accessory company, Orion Trucks, at 17. He later established a significant 20-year partnership with DC Shoes, launching his first signature shoe, the RD 1, in 1995. Dyrdek continued to evolve his business acumen, founding Dyrdek Enterprises in 1999 and Silver Trucks in 2003. He made a notable impact on his hometown by designing and funding the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza in Kettering in 2005, the first project of its kind under the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation.
Dyrdek’s career saw a significant shift into television with the 2006 MTV reality series “Rob & Big,” which showcased his daily life with his bodyguard, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin. During the show, he set 21 skateboarding world records in one day in 2007, including the longest board slide and highest skateboard ramp jump into water. Following the conclusion of “Rob & Big,” Dyrdek launched “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” in 2009, a show centered around his integrated creative and business hub. This series featured various stunts and projects, such as opening his first SafeSpot SkateSpot and setting a Guinness World Record for the longest reverse ramp jump by a car. In 2011, “Ridiculousness” premiered, a clip show where Dyrdek, alongside hosts Chanel West Coast and Steelo Brim, comment on internet videos. This show cemented his presence on MTV, becoming a programming staple. Beyond television, Dyrdek founded Street League Skateboarding (SLS) in 2010, which became a significant professional competition series in the sport, offering substantial prize money and expanding globally.
Demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive, Dyrdek founded the Dyrdek Machine in 2016, a venture studio aimed at co-founding and investing in startups. Through this enterprise, he has supported numerous brands such as Lusso Cloud, Mindright, and Leisuretown. His media production company, Superjacket Productions, which was later rebranded as Thrill One Media, continued to create and produce several spin-off series for MTV and Nickelodeon, including “Jagger Eaton’s Mega Life,” “Crashletes,” and “Deliciousness.” By 2022, Dyrdek had co-founded or partnered with 18 brands via the Dyrdek Machine, with five successfully acquired. In 2020, Street League Skateboarding and Superjacket Productions merged with Nitro Circus to form Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, further solidifying his diverse business portfolio. In 2021, Dyrdek launched the business-focused podcast “Build with Rob” and the Do-Or-Dier Visionary Foundation to support entrepreneurship among youth.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
