SFIA Start-Up Challenge

Calling All Sports & Fitness Innovators!

We’re looking for driven entrepreneurs who are changing the landscape of the sports and fitness industry with their product, technology, or idea.

Present your start-up to an esteemed panel of judges made up of sports & fitness executives, venture capitalists, and leaders from private equity. Network with industry leaders, raise funds, create brand partnerships, expand distribution, and compete in SFIA’s Start-Up Challenge.

WIN SFIA AND THE PLAYERS IMPACT MEMBERSHIP AND CONNECT WITH SPORTS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND ATHLETES!

Apply as A Competitor

Be Part of The Story

Compete on stage (virtually) and be a part of the growing $330MM+ story during the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s Start-Up Challenge.

Pitch Your Game Plan

Present your game plan to an esteemed panel of judges made up of sports & fitness executives, venture capitalists and leaders from private equity.

Apply as A Competitor

Apply as a Judge

2024 Champion

Previous Champions

REEPLAYER – 2023

Reeplayer, led by Founder Orhan Basak Ajredinovski, uses AI technology to autonomously record and live-stream high-quality footage for youth and amateur sports

Reeplayer

IDA SPORTS – 2022

Creator of a soccer cleat designed specifically for women. This initiative is about more than a shoe. IDA is dedicated to gender equality, empowering women and girls, and ensuring everyone has the right to enjoy sport.

IDA Sports

bisu – 2021

Bisu Body Coach is a home health lab that provides personalized nutrition and lifestyle advice through easy, accurate urine tests. bisu has received over $3MM in funding.

bisu

MIRO AI – 2019

Miro has created complex algorithms to capture valuable athlete data from various athletic competitions. This type of AI provides insights to brands and retailers, picking up in-depth trends and patterns, regarding apparel and equipment, among many different demographic breakdowns. Since being founded two years ago, Miro AI has raised more than $800K.

Miro AI

NIX BIOSENSORS – 2018

Nix’s high-tech sensors, capable of measuring hydration status via sweat to optimize safety and physical and cognitive performance are changing the game for athletes. Nix has received over $1.5MM in funding.

Nix Biosensors

SHOTTRACKER – 2017

ShotTracker’s Founder and CEO, Davyeon Ross, and Co-Founder, Bruce Ianni, won SFIA’s 2017 Start-Up Challenge with their game-changing product helping basketball players, teams, and coaches get real-time insights on court performance. Since competing two years ago, ShotTracker has raised more than $10,000,000 and now counts Magic Johnson, David Stern, and Ryan Howard as investors.

ShotTracker

HOOKIT – 2016

Hookit’s CEO, Scott Tilton, took the Start-Up Challenge prize in 2016. Hookit’s sponsorship analytics platform is disrupting the sponsorship marketing industry by equipping marketers and properties with actionable insights to effectively valuate partnerships. Since winning the inaugural challenge, Hookit has raised more than $16,000,000.

Hookit

Finalists Through The Years

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Snapshot of success

April 9, 2024 – Volt Athletics Elevates AI-powered Athlete Development Platform with Acquisition of ZAMA Health

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July 11, 2023 – Greenfly Acquires AI Provider Miro AI to Enhance Short-Form Content Solutions.

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June 2021 – Raised 5.1MM, led by existing investor KB Partners, as well as new investors including Northwestern University, Alex Alimanestianu (former CEO Town Sports International, and investor/advisor to Mirror and their founder), former NFL wide receiver Scotty McKnight and former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez.

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October 2021 – Raised 3.2MM in seed round, also reaching an agreement with ASICS Corporation to collaborate on health and fitness service initiatives.

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