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Nick Gross
Nick Gross
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Nicholas William Gross (born 19 July 1988)[1] is an American entrepreneur, musician, and the founder of the Find Your Grind education platform. Gross founded the band Girlfriends together with Travis Mills in 2020.[2][3][4] He is also a member of Goldfinger.[5]

Key Information

Early life

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Gross grew up in Laguna Beach, California,[6] the only son of billionaire American investor Bill H. Gross and his second wife Sue,[7] and began playing the drums around age seven.[8] He started a career as a drummer and in subsequent years was the drummer for bands Open Air Stereo and Half the Animal.[9][10] With Open Air Stereo, Gross took part in the reality show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.[11] The band later signed with Epic Records.[12]

In 2009, Gross launched STRZ Enterprises, a record studio and record label.[8]

Career

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Gross Labs

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In 2018, Gross founded Gross Labs as parent company of investments, Find Your Grind and Big Noise, among others.[8] Gross Labs invested in X Games, 100 Thieves, Buzzfeed, DraftKings, among others.[13][14][15]

In 2019 Gross led a series A funding of $10.8 million[16] for ReKTGlobal.[17]

In October 2024, Gross invested in TMRW Sports and Los Angeles Golf Club, among others via Brekky Golf Company, a holding company founded by Gross and Sean Maher.[18][15][19]

Find Your Grind

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In 2015, Nick and Natasha Gross founded the Find Your Grind Foundation to support disadvantaged young people.[20][21]

In September 2015, Find Your Grind Foundation collaborated with Anaheim Ducks to start the Find Your Grind Hockey Scholarship Program.[22]

In 2018, Gross founded Find Your Grind as an education platform with free online curriculum for students.[23][24] Celebrity mentors included Tony Hawk, Monique Coleman and Will.i.am.[25]

In 2021, FYG Foundation partnered with the Tiger Woods Foundation to give more students access to the education platform.[26][27]

In April 2025, Gross was appointed by the TGR Foundation to its board of governors.[28][29][18]

Big Noise

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In 2018, Gross founded the music group Big Noise together with ex-Vagrant executive Jon Cohen[30] and rock producer John Feldmann.[31][32] He is CEO of Big Noise.[33] In 2019 the label's roster included Ashley Tisdale[34] and New Politics.[35]

In 2019, Big Noise launched the Noise Nest, a 5000-sq. ft recording studio in Los Angeles[36] and launched the FYG U Music + Tech Festival.[37]

In June 2019, Big Noise acquired the hip hop label Commission Record. Its roster includes MadeinTYO, Lil Dicky, Derez De'Shon and DJ Envy.[35] On 7 June 2019, The Wrecks signed with Big Noise.[38][39] The same year The Used and Travis Tritt also signed with Big Noise.[40]

On 1 November 2019, New Politics released their fifth album "An Invitation to an Alternate Reality".[41]

Tyler Posey and his band Five North released their debut EP Scumbag via Big Noise on 6 March 2020.[42]

By 2021 Big Noise had expanded their 10,000 sq ft. recording studio facility The Noise Nest with five recording studios and rooms for streaming and gaming.[43] Alongside the signed artists from Big Noise other clients like Post Malone, DaBaby and A$AP Rocky use the facilities for work.[44][45]

Mod Sun signed a long-term deal with Big Noise in March 2021, and has since released two albums; Internet Killed the Rockstar in 2021, and God Save the Teen in 2023, under Big Noise.[46][47] Both albums were produced by John Feldmann.

In March 2022, The Veronicas signed with Big Noise.[48] In March 2023, indie record label Position Music[49] and Big Noise launched a music publishing joint venture.[50][51]

On 1 September 2023, Escape the Fate released their 8th Album "Out of the Shadows" via Big Noise.[52][53]

On 9 May 2025, Avril Lavigne and Simple Plan released the Single "Young & Dumb".[54][55][56]

Goldfinger and Girlfriends

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Since 2018, Gross had been touring drummer for Goldfinger.[57] Two years later, he became the official drummer of the band.[58]

In 2020, Gross formed the band Girlfriends with Travis Mills, with the duo citing Blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer and All Time Low as the band's musical influences.[59] The band released the first single "California" on June 26, 2020, with the music video being released on August 11.[2] This was followed by their second single "Eyes Wide Shut" on 21 August 2020.[60] Their self-titled debut album was released on 23 October 2020 featuring 14 tracks. The production was led by John Feldmann.[61]

On 17 June 2022, Girlfriends released their second album "(e)motion sickness".[62][63]

In March 2023, Girlfriends released the single "Over My Dead Body" via Big Noise.[64][65] They also released "Life's A Brittany" on 14 April 2023.[66][67]

Esports

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In 2018, FYG partnered with esports platform ReKTGlobal, parent company of Rogue and London Royal Ravens,[68] in scholarships for students who want to pursue esports.[69] He became a member of the board and the lead investor in ReKTGlobal.[70][71] In 2022, ReKTGlobal was acquired by entertainment company Infinite Reality and Rogue merged with Spanish esports organization KOI.[72][73][74][75] In 2018, FYG created the Fortnite based Junior Rogue program in partnership with ReKTGlobal to give young people the opportunity to get into esports and receive a scholarship through the Find Your Grind Foundation.[76][77][78] DrLupo participated as mentor in the program.[79]

Other investments

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In February 2022, Gross became an investor in Mexican football club Necaxa.[80][81]

Awards

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Find Your Grind was listed in the 'Brands that Matter in 2022' by Fast Company.[82][83]

Personal life

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Gross is married to Natasha Gross (born Natasha Barritt), the Executive Director of the Find Your Grind Foundation.[84] They have one child together.[8] Gross enjoys surfing, running and skating.[85][86]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Nicholas William Gross (born July 19, 1988) is an American musician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor, best known as the for the pop-punk duo girlfriends and as the founder of Gross Labs, a and investment firm focused on , media, and . The son of billionaire investor Bill Gross, he grew up in , where he began taking drum lessons at age six, formed his first rock band at thirteen, and gained early visibility at sixteen through a guest appearance on MTV's Laguna Beach with his band . In 2006, Gross signed a record deal with and briefly attended the before dropping out to pursue music full-time, later performing session work and co-founding the songwriting and production team STRZ Enterprises in 2009. Transitioning from music to business, Gross launched Gross Labs in 2019 as a multi-dimensional holding company that incubates ventures in music, education, and technology, with investments in over 50 entities including X Games, 100 Thieves, and Beatbox Beverages. He co-founded Find Your Grind in 2019, an ESSA Tier 2-recognized education platform (validated in 2025) that supports career exploration for students and is used in over 200 school districts nationwide, reaching over 100,000 learners; its associated foundation provides studio access and resources to underserved youth through partnerships like the one with TGR Foundation, where Gross serves on the board of governors. Under Gross Labs, he also established Big Noise Music Group and The Noise Nest recording studio in Los Angeles, continuing to blend his musical roots with entrepreneurial impact.

Early Life

Family and Upbringing

Nick Gross was born on July 19, 1988, in Laguna Beach, California. He is the only child of Bill H. Gross, the billionaire investor and co-founder of Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), and Sue Gross, a philanthropist who established the Sue J. Gross Foundation to support nursing and other health initiatives. Gross spent his childhood in the affluent coastal enclave of Laguna Beach within Orange County, where his family's substantial wealth from his father's investment career provided a privileged environment rich in resources and opportunities. This setting, known for its artistic community and scenic beauty, offered early exposure to creative pursuits amid a backdrop of financial stability and cultural vibrancy. His parents actively supported his budding interests, including providing him with a beginner's around age six or seven, which sparked his initial engagement with music. As a teenager, Gross appeared on the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County during its third season in 2006, capturing glimpses of local and his involvement in the area's social scene.

Musical Beginnings and Early Ventures

Nick Gross began his musical journey at the age of seven, when his parents supported his interest by purchasing a beginner for him. This early introduction to drumming, fostered by a family environment that encouraged creative pursuits, laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for music. Growing up in , Gross quickly developed his skills, channeling his energy into the instrument as a primary outlet for self-expression. By his teenage years, Gross had joined local bands, marking his entry into the professional music scene. He served as the for , a pop-rock band from that signed with in 2006 and released their debut album Primates in 2013. The band, featuring Gross alongside vocalist Chase Johnson, gained traction through performances and recordings, blending elements with progressive influences. Following the signing, Gross briefly enrolled at the but dropped out to focus on music full-time. Following the eventual disbandment of around 2016, Gross co-founded Half the Animal with Johnson, continuing to explore pop-rock sounds in the music circuit. These early band experiences honed his technical abilities and exposed him to the collaborative dynamics of the industry. In 2009, at the age of 21, Gross took his first entrepreneurial step by co-founding STRZ Enterprises with partners Mike Riley and Anthony Carlucci. This Hollywood-based venture operated as a 1,500-square-foot and , aimed at supporting emerging artists through production, , and distribution services. STRZ provided Gross with hands-on experience in the business side of , allowing him to mentor young talents while navigating the operational challenges of running a creative enterprise. Gross's early career was not without significant hurdles, particularly health setbacks that tested his resilience. In 2016 and 2017, he suffered two spontaneous lung collapses—medically termed —each occurring during live drumming performances, forcing him to pause his musical activities for recovery. These incidents, stemming from a rare genetic condition involving pulmonary blebs, required surgical intervention to seal his lung to the , with a low recurrence risk but lingering effects like sensitivity to altitude and air quality. Despite these drumming-related injuries, Gross underwent rehabilitation and returned to performing, demonstrating determination in overcoming physical barriers to sustain his artistic pursuits.

Professional Career

Gross Labs and Investments

Gross Labs was founded by Nick Gross in 2018 as a , incubation, and investment firm focused on fostering across , media, sports, and related sectors. The firm operates as a modern platform, connecting early-stage ventures to growth opportunities through equity partnerships and hands-on involvement. With a portfolio exceeding 50 companies, Gross Labs emphasizes building an interconnected ecosystem that spans music, , esports, and consumer experiences to drive cultural and economic impact. Key investments highlight Gross Labs' strategy in high-growth entertainment and media entities. The firm participated in the acquisition and investment of alongside MSP Sports Capital, aiming to expand action sports globally through year-round events and enhanced media production. It also invested in , the esports and lifestyle brand known for its apparel and competitive gaming teams, supporting its evolution into a broader consumer media company. Additional notable stakes include , the digital media publisher, and , the sports betting and fantasy platform, both of which align with the firm's focus on scalable content and interactive entertainment platforms. In 2019, Gross Labs led a $10.8 million Series A funding round for ReKTGlobal, the parent company of esports organization Rogue, with Gross joining the board to guide its expansion in competitive gaming. More recently, in October 2024, Gross Labs extended its sports and media ecosystem through Brekky Golf , a co-founded by Gross and . This vehicle made inaugural investments in TMRW Sports, a tech-driven platform, and Los Angeles Golf Club, a premier lifestyle venue, to innovate within the industry and bridge it with broader narratives. Overall, Gross Labs' approach prioritizes synergistic investments that create a cohesive network, enabling cross-pollination between portfolio companies in media, events, and digital experiences.

Find Your Grind

In 2015, Nick Gross co-founded the Find Your Grind Foundation with his wife, Natasha Gross, to empower underserved youth through self-discovery and career programs. The foundation was established in 2015, with the full platform launching in 2018 and the company formalizing in 2019. The initiative stemmed from Gross's own unconventional journey as a and entrepreneur, where he navigated diverse paths in music production and business without traditional guidance, inspiring him to create resources that help young people identify their passions and build purposeful futures. Initially focused on grants and partnerships to provide hands-on opportunities, the foundation aimed to bridge educational gaps by fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and practical skills among Gen Z students. The full Find Your Grind education platform launched in 2018 as a comprehensive digital solution, expanding the foundation's reach into schools with student-led learning tools, interactive self-discovery assessments, and career exploration modules. These features include personalized lifestyle quizzes, virtual mentorship connections, and curriculum-aligned resources that encourage students to explore industries like music, technology, and sports through real-world scenarios and multimedia content. Designed for grades 6-12, the platform emphasizes social-emotional learning alongside career readiness, allowing educators to integrate it seamlessly into classrooms for self-paced progression. Key partnerships have amplified the platform's impact, including a 2015 collaboration with the Foundation to launch scholarship programs introducing youth to sports-related careers and hockey opportunities. In 2021, Find Your Grind partnered with the TGR Foundation, integrating its tools into Tiger Woods' learning labs to expose students to future-oriented industries like technology and entrepreneurship. By 2025, the platform had expanded to thousands of schools nationwide, impacting over 150,000 students through enhanced access to career-connected learning, as evidenced by an independent WestEd study confirming significant improvements in future readiness and . This growth includes brief integrations, such as esports scholarships, to diversify exploration options for students.

Big Noise and Music Production

In 2018, Nick Gross co-founded Big Noise Music Group, a multifaceted and publishing company based in , alongside Jon Cohen, former head of , and producer , with Gross serving as CEO. The company was established to provide comprehensive support to artists, encompassing recording, publishing, marketing, and creative development under one roof, aiming to foster long-term careers in the music industry. Big Noise quickly positioned itself as a hub for and alternative acts, drawing on the founders' extensive networks in the sector. Among its early signings, Big Noise secured deals with established artists such as , who released her album Symptoms through the label in 2019, marking one of the company's inaugural projects. The roster expanded to include rock band New Politics and group , both of whom benefited from the label's integrated services for album production and promotion. Gross's leadership emphasized artist development, offering personalized guidance from songwriting to branding, which helped these acts navigate the evolving music landscape. To bolster its operations, Big Noise launched the Noise Nest recording studio in 2019, initially as an extension of Gross's earlier songwriting space tied to his pre-Big Noise ventures like STRZ Enterprises. By , the facility had expanded to a 10,000-square-foot complex in Hollywood, featuring multiple state-of-the-art studios equipped for professional recording and content creation. This infrastructure enabled Big Noise to deliver full-service support, including in-house production and multimedia resources, streamlining the creative process for signed talent and enhancing the company's role as a creative .

Goldfinger, Girlfriends, and Touring

In 2018, Nick Gross joined the punk band Goldfinger as their touring drummer, contributing to live performances during the band's resurgence in the scene. By 2020, he became an official full-time member, appearing on their album Never Look Back alongside , Mike Herrera, and Philip Sneed. His drumming style, characterized by high-energy beats and precise fills, helped maintain Goldfinger's signature ska-punk sound on stages worldwide, including festival appearances and headline tours. That same year, Gross co-founded the duo Girlfriends with vocalist , drawing on their shared influences from early 2000s and punk acts. The band released their self-titled debut on October 23, 2020, via Big Noise Music Group, featuring tracks like "California" and "Shut Up" that blended nostalgic hooks with modern production. In 2022, Girlfriends followed with their second , (e)motion sickness, released on June 17, which expanded their sound with emotionally charged lyrics and anthemic choruses, earning praise for its raw vulnerability. Gross's dual role as and co-writer shaped the band's dynamic, emphasizing themes of relationships and personal growth. Gross's performance commitments extended to high-profile collaborations and tours, including Girlfriends opening for 's Greatest Hits Tour in 2024, where they shared stages across and performed alongside pop-punk contemporaries. This period also saw his involvement in the broader scene through contributions to singles, such as the May 2025 release of "Young & Dumb" by featuring , which captured the era's nostalgic punk revival. Production support from his label, Big Noise Music Group, facilitated these projects by providing studio resources and distribution. Throughout this phase, Gross balanced rigorous touring schedules—encompassing over 100 shows annually with Goldfinger and Girlfriends—with his entrepreneurial responsibilities at Gross Labs and Find Your Grind, often managing band logistics remotely during off-days. This multitasking underscored his ability to sustain a multifaceted career in music and business, prioritizing live energy as a core outlet for creative expression.

Esports and Sports Ventures

In 2018, Find Your Grind, co-founded by Nick Gross, partnered with ReKTGlobal to launch a $450,000 scholarship program aimed at supporting high school students interested in gaming careers. This initiative integrated curriculum into schools across the , providing s and educational resources to foster youth development in the industry. As part of this collaboration, Find Your Grind co-created the Junior Rogue program with ReKTGlobal's brand Rogue, targeting amateur players through a semester-long accelerator that offered mentorship, training, and pathways to professional gaming. Gross Labs, Gross's investment firm, led a $10.8 million Series A funding round for ReKTGlobal in 2019, which supported the expansion of such youth-focused initiatives and positioned Gross on the company's board. In 2022, ReKTGlobal was acquired by company Infinite Reality for $470 million, integrating its assets—including Rogue and related programs—into a broader portfolio. Gross has extended his sports investments beyond to include football and . In 2022, he invested in club . In 2024, through the Brekky Golf Co., which he co-founded, Gross backed TMRW Sports and the Golf Club, emphasizing innovative youth engagement in golf.

Other Business Activities

Beyond core music and education ventures, Gross has expanded into media and through targeted holdings. In October 2024, he co-founded Brekky Golf Co. with , establishing the first multi-dimensional in golf, with an initial portfolio including TMRW Sports for golf simulators, Pro Shop for apparel, and other ecosystem players aimed at modernizing the sport's . In October 2025, Gross joined the ownership group of Breakaway Festivals, a leading live brand, bringing his expertise to support expansion in pop-culture events. Gross's business trajectory reflects an evolution from niche media startups to a comprehensive . He launched STRZ Enterprises in 2009 as a Hollywood-based and , focusing on music production and development. By 2018, this foundation expanded under Gross Labs into a broader platform, and by 2025, it encompassed over 50 ventures across entertainment, sports, and consumer brands, emphasizing interconnected growth strategies.

Philanthropy and Recognition

Philanthropic Initiatives

Nick Gross co-founded the Find Your Grind Foundation in 2015 with his wife, Natasha Gross, which later became the philanthropic arm of his platform Find Your Grind, dedicated to empowering underserved through entrepreneurial programs and career-connected learning experiences. The foundation provides opportunities for students from under-resourced communities to explore real-world career paths, build confidence, and develop future-ready skills, impacting over 150,000 students across the via events, partnerships, and targeted initiatives. Gross's commitment to these efforts stems from his own non-traditional career journey, transitioning from professional musician to entrepreneur, which highlighted gaps in traditional education systems for self-discovery and passion-driven learning. Drawing from this experience, the foundation supports student self-discovery programs that emphasize personal agency, , and exposure to , helping participants navigate their paths to purposeful futures. In April 2025, Gross joined the board of governors of the TGR Foundation, founded by , to advance its mission of for youth in underserved areas. This role builds on a multi-year collaboration between the Find Your Grind Foundation and TGR Learning Labs, including the establishment of a dedicated studio in Anaheim in 2022, where students engage in hands-on self-discovery activities tied to sports and community impact. Through these partnerships with sports organizations, Gross contributes to broader community initiatives that integrate , wellness, and opportunity for young people.

Awards and Honors

In 2022, Find Your Grind, the platform founded by Nick Gross, was selected for Fast Company's inaugural "Brands That Matter" list, which honors brands making a significant cultural impact through innovative purpose-driven initiatives. This recognition underscored the platform's role in reimagining career guidance for students by aligning personal values with professional pathways, distinguishing it among over 1,500 submissions evaluated for authenticity and societal contribution. By 2025, Gross received further acclaim for his entrepreneurial innovations in through Find Your Grind's designation as the winner in the Student Learning Technology category of District Administration's Top EdTech Products of the Year . The , determined by a panel of K-12 leaders, celebrated the platform's effectiveness in fostering student self-discovery and future readiness, reflecting Gross's integration of music-inspired creativity with scalable learning tools. That same year, Gross was appointed to the national board of governors of the TGR Foundation, founded by to advance youth education and leadership. This honor acknowledged his track record as a and committed to empowering underserved communities, positioning him to influence programs blending STEM, , and .

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Nick Gross is married to Natasha Gross (née Barritt), with whom he co-founded the Find Your Grind Foundation in 2017. Natasha serves as the of the foundation, overseeing programs that empower underserved youth through career exploration and initiatives. The couple's shared commitment to is evident in their collaborative efforts to bridge workforce gaps and foster for young people. Gross and his wife have one child together. The family actively integrates their parental roles into their professional lives.

Interests and Lifestyle

Nick Gross maintains an active lifestyle centered on outdoor and physical pursuits that support his overall well-being and recovery from past health challenges. He enjoys , a passion rooted in his upbringing in , where he frequently engages in the sport to connect with the ocean and maintain mental clarity. Similarly, remains a key hobby from his youth, providing a sense of freedom and creativity that complements his dynamic routine. Running forms a of Gross's fitness regimen, which he credits with transforming his approach to and . Having started cross-country running at age 13, he now incorporates 45-minute sessions every other day, using apps like and Nike Run Club to track progress, and has completed multiple half marathons while training for his first half (as of 2022). This commitment to running intensified following two lung collapses in 2016 and 2017, attributed to a rare genetic condition involving pulmonary blebs, which occurred during live performances and necessitated with a less than 5% recurrence risk. His two-year recovery period involved a gradual return to exercise, avoiding running for the first four months post-, and he continues to manage occasional lung sensitivity to air quality and altitude through consistent , ensuring sustained for demanding physical endeavors like drumming. As an Orange County native, Gross integrates these personal interests seamlessly into his broader lifestyle, balancing music, ventures, and family life in the region's coastal environment. This holistic approach, centered in areas like Laguna Beach, allows him to draw inspiration from local culture while fostering work-life harmony through regular engagement in , running, and .

References

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