Meet 8 ventures virtually pitching for up to $10k in funding
The Global Sport Institute hosts virtual pitch competition for burgeoning sport entrepreneurs
The Global Sport Institute (GSI) remains firmly committed to inspiring innovative ideas and supporting those that are changing the future of sport. Our entrepreneurial and innovation programs in partnership with ASU Entrepreneurship + Innovation exemplifies our efforts in this space. Through ASU E+I’s Venture Devils program, we host three of our own funding tracks. GSI offers one-on-one coaching, opportunities for grant funding, and access to a burgeoning network of advisors through strategic relationships and partnerships for qualified ventures.
Each year GSI hosts the Global Sport Summit, a two-day event highlighting topics, speakers, and research that coincide with the institute’s annual theme. The Summit also plays host to our pitch competition where we invite the top ventures from our Spring and Fall Demo Day competitions to perform a live pitch and compete for grand prize funding and various prizes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Global Sport Summit has been suspended until further notice. But in the spirit of innovation, we have moved the GSI Venture Competition virtually. Ventures will submit virtual video pitches that will be evaluated thoroughly by our panel of judges.
This year’s distinguished panel of judges represents expertise in sport, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The judges include: Kenneth Shropshire, CEO of the Global Sport Institute at ASU, Tracy Lea, Associate Director, Venture Development at ASU E+I, Jake Plummer, former NFL quarterback and Founder of ReadyList Sports, and Justin Forsett, former NFL running back and founder of Hustle Clean.
The judges will ultimately select three winners from the eight that are pitching. First place will be awarded $10,000 and a trip to the adidas North America headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Second place will be awarded $5,000 in addition to a trip to the adidas North America headquarters. And third place will be awarded with a trip to the adidas North America headquarters. A ‘people’s choice’ will also be named via Facebook contest.
We are proud to virtually host these Global Sport Institute funded ventures! Read on to learn more about all eight of them:
Accelerated Cycles
Accelerated Cycles is a start-up that creates innovative bike accessories, developed by three engineering students at Arizona State University. Their mission is to make biking safer, more accessible, and more fun for everyone. Their future goals consist of providing a number of different bicycle and transportation-related devices and accessories. Currently, and as demonstrated at their most recent pitch, they are building prototypes for a light-weight mountain bike booster and hope to launch it this year.
Barrage Training Tech
After searching the market for an effective but affordable boxing system, founder Ricky Johnson of Barrage Training Tech took matters into his own gloves and created the Barrage Striking Sleeve. This technology is an interactive piece that is made to wrap around a hanging or free-standing punching bag. The device has LEDs and pressure sensors that indicate where the user should strike. This innovative technology creates a new way to experience combat training and allows users to improve their accuracy and reaction time while working out.
Fair Future Co.
Fair Future Co. is a company created by ASU Women’s Track and Field athlete Jeminise Parris. Parris, who is originally from Trinidad & Tobago, is working on developing an app for students from the Caribbean who hope to apply to U.S. colleges and universities. She is using her own experiences to develop Fair Future Co. and help students from the Caribbean to gain exposure, make connections, and find a path to the right school.
Fútbar
Fútbar is a global entertainment venue that hopes to bring together the local community by incorporating a unique dining and sports bar experience with street soccer. Rachel Masterson, a graduate student in the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, created Fútbar in efforts to find an interactive way to incorporate socializing and the sport of soccer.
FutureForm
FutureForm domestically manufactures activewear that utilizes next-generation materials to bridge the gap between sustainability, performance, and style. Their company is composed of engineers, fitness enthusiasts, and friends with the goal of developing activewear that not only serves the community, but also the world. FutureForm created a variety of different products for their first successful beta-launch that concluded in September 2019. They plan to grow their product research and development to expand their offerings.
GoSurf
GoSurf is a mobile application focused on bringing the surfing community together and making all resources in the industry accessible to those in need. The application is a database, service, and review resource for surf camps, instructors, coaches, riders, photographers, videographers, storefronts, and potential sponsors. GoSurf aims to be an innovative app that integrates all parts of the surfing community, something that founder Alexsei Stojanovic has identified as missing in the marketplace.
Stonne
Stonne is a company that has created a new outdoor game that combines cornhole and skipping stones. Their product, Skip nn Hole, is a backyard pool game where pairs of teams try to skip stones across a pool into designated targets. Stonne has already debuted and tested their product at a variety of different locations and events on the ASU campus. They plan to launch and sell their first product soon.
Strax Gear
Strax Gear creates eco-friendly and sustainable products through unique repurposed materials. The company began from the opportunity to take underutilized materials in the ski building process and design products to improve experiences on and off the mountain. Strax Gear, created by former ASU student Sean Dicke, aims to empower athletes through their unique and multifunctional products.
UPDATE 4/13/20: Congratulations to our winners!
1st Place: Barrage Training Technology ($10,000 in funding + trip to adidas)
2nd Place: Stonne Products ($5,000 in funding + trip to adidas)
3rd Place: Accelerated Cycles (trip to adidas)
Social Impact Challenge: Fair Future Co. ($5,000 in funding)
People’s Choice: GoSurf ($250 in adidas spending money)
To learn more about the Global Sport Institute’s Innovation Programs, visit our website. To vote for People’s Choice, head to our Facebook page by Monday, April 13th at 12 p.m. Arizona MST.
