Event Archive
SFIA Sideline Sessions
SFIA's is excited to bring you Sideline Sessions - a new, bi-monthly virtual series - that will cover a wide variety of pressing topics in the sports and fitness industry!
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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.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
2024 Start-Up Challenge Finalists
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finalists Through The Years
Judges
CLICK HERE to view the list of 2024 Judges!
2025 Competitor Application + Process
Applications Now Open!
Once reviewed by our distinguished panel of experts, up to 15 semi-finalists will be chosen to pitch virtually and compete for the top 5 finalist spots in the 2025 SFIA Start-Up Challenge. The top 5 finalists will pitch LIVE IN-PERSON in November 2025 location TBD.
Each of the 15 semi-finalists will work create an investment profile for the judges to view prior to a Virtual pitch Session. In September 2025 the SFIA Start-Up Challenge Virtual Pitch Session will take place, where judges will be able to view each semi-finalists pitch, ask the finalists any questions they may have about their competing company. The judges will then evaluate each semi-finalist and the top 5 finalists will be selected to pitch LIVE IN-PERSON in November 2025 at location TBD.
How It Works
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Competitor applications now open for anyone to apply to compete until July 31st
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Once the competitor application window is over (July 31st), 15 semi-finalists will be selected to create an investment profile (based on info submitted in the application) + participate in a Virtual Pitch Session in front of the judges
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The Virtual pitch session will take place in September 2025
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At the conclusion of the Virtual Pitch Session for the 15 semi-finalists, the top 5 finalists will be selected to pitch LIVE IN-PERSON in November 2025 at location TBD
If Chosen to Compete
Should you be chosen as a 2025 SFIA Virtual Pitch Start-Up Challenge semi-finalist, you will receive:
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An official invitation to participate in the 2025 SFIA Virtual Start-Up Challenge Pitch Session in September 2025 (exact date TBD)
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One-complimentary-year of SFIA Membership
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Exposure and connections to 90+ industry judges (virtually) and their feedback
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A logo-feature in an SFIA research report
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Personal introduction to five judges of your choice
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The opportunity to present to sports & fitness industry brands & retailers partners
Timeline
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Competitor applications open until July 31st
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Up to 15 semi-finalists selected by the SFIA’s Tech and Innovation Committee: August 1st
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Creation of investment profiles + initial pitches: August 1st – September 2025
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Virtual Pitch Session for 15 semi-finalists: September 2025
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Judges review and select a top 5 finalists to present LIVE IN-PERSON: November 2025
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2025 Start-Up Challenge Main Event LIVE IN-PERSON in November 2025 at location TBD
Applications Now Open!
2025 Judge Application
Judge applications will be continuously reviewed throughout the process and will be announced periodically. You will be notified in a timely manner if you have been selected to judge for the 2025 SFIA Virtual Pitch Session of the Start-Up Challenge.
Anyone connected to the sports & fitness industry can apply to be a judge.
If Chosen to be a Judge
Should you be chosen as a 2025 SFIA Start-Up Challenge Judge, you will be asked to:
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View each start-up semi-finalist’s investment profile (before the Virtual Pitch Session in September
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Send in 1 question you have for each semi-finalist (before the Virtual Pitch Session in September
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Attend the 2025 SFIA Start-Up Challenge Virtual Pitch Session, in September
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Evaluate each of the 15 start-up semi-finalists and help decide the top 5 finalists
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(optional)Join us LIVE IN-PERSON in November at location TBD, to help us determine the 2025 Start-Up Challenge Champion
When a judge completes the tasks above, they will receive the complete judges roster.
Applications Now Open!
Awards & Prizes
First Round – Top 15 Semi-Finalist Virtual Pitch Awards
• One-year complimentary of SFIA Membership
• Exposure and connections to 90+ industry judges (virtually) and their feedback
• A logo-feature in an SFIA research report
• Personal introduction to five judges of your choice
• The opportunity to present to sports & fitness industry brands & retailers
Final Round – Top 5 Finalists Awards
• 2026 SFIA Start-Up Challenge Judges Seat – You will be asked to help judge at SFIA’s 2026 Start-Up Challenge and give a short speech about your company and story.
• National Media Coverage – Establish your company in the national spotlight, as reputable national media outlets and industry media cover the competition. In addition, your company will be spotlighted on all SFIA platforms and digital media marketing material for the 2025 Start-Up Challenge. This package is designed to boost your start-up’s social presence and reputation.
• Exclusive access to The Players Impact Start Up Membership – Ability to work directly with athletes for brand ambassador opportunities, internships, product testing and more – Learn More Here.
• The opportunity to pitch your company to sports & fitness industry brands & retailers.
Grand Prize
• Spotlight in One of SFIA’s Annual Research Reports – SFIA will highlight your company and accomplishments in one of SFIA’s annual research reports, read by thousands of individuals and seen in hundreds of publications.
• SFIA Event Advantage – The opportunity to network and connect with SFIA Members in the industry at an SFIA Member event Includes: Free Registration, Speaking Opportunity, and Public Recognition at Event
More Prizes to be Announced!
Snapshot of success
April 9, 2024 – Volt Athletics Elevates AI-powered Athlete Development Platform with Acquisition of ZAMA Health
July 11, 2023 – Greenfly Acquires AI Provider Miro AI to Enhance Short-Form Content Solutions.
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.
October 2021 – Raised 3.2MM in seed round, also reaching an agreement with ASICS Corporation to collaborate on health and fitness service initiatives.
October 2021 – Acquired by Slinger for deal valued at $82MM
January 2021 – Raised $11MM led by Verizon Ventures and broadcast equipment manufacturer Evertz Technologies, based in Canada.
December 2019 – Slinger Bag goes public under ticker symbol “SLBG”
September 2021 – Acquired by Nautilus, Inc.
What Competitors Had tO Say
“Participating in the SFIA Startup Challenge was an incredible experience for our team. Presenting in front of leaders across the sports and tech fitness space, including investors, potential partners, and mentors, was invaluable. The connections we made were instrumental to our growth and ultimately helped lead to our acquisition by Volt Athletics. The SFIA Startup Challenge truly accelerated our journey, and we are grateful for the support and insights we gained.”
– BRENDAN SULLIVAN, FOUNDER & CEO, ZAMA HEALTH
“Participating in the SFIA Start-Up Challenge was a great opportunity for PlaySight. It definitely helped us with our ongoing fundraising efforts as well.”
– JEFF ANGUS, PLAYSIGHT
“The Start-Up Challenge was really well done. Companies should not be shy about asking for capital, and they should present the terms of the investment opportunity while on stage. I look forward to judging in future years to come.”
– KEITH BANK, CEO OF KB PARTNERS
Start-Up Challenge Supporting Partners
Questions? Contact Chandler Hoffman