Events
SFIA Start-Up Challenge
The SFIA Start-Up Challenge is an event designed for entrepreneurs in the sports and fitness industry to present their innovative products, technologies, or ideas to the world.
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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.
2025 DATES AND LOCATION COMING SOON
2024 Start-Up Challenge Finalists
Be Part of The Story
Compete on stage (virtually) and be a part of the growing $310MM+ 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!
2024 Competitor Application + Process
2025 DATES COMING SOON!
Once reviewed by our distinguished panel of experts, up to 15 finalists will be chosen to compete for the top 3 spots in the 2024 SFIA Start-Up Challenge. The top 3 selected will compete LIVE IN-PERSON at BABSON COLLEGE on OCTOBER 29, 2024.
Each of the 15 finalists will work with a professional to produce a pitch video and an investment profile for the judges to view prior to a Virtual Q&A Session. On September 26th, 2024 the SFIA Start-Up Challenge Virtual Q&A Session will take place, where judges will be able to ask the finalists any questions they may have about their competing company. The judges will then evaluate each finalist and the top 3 will be selected to compete LIVE IN-PERSON at BABSON COLLEGE on OCTOBER 29th, 2024.
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 finalists will be selected to create an investment profile + pitch videos + participate in a Virtual Q&A session in front of the judges
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The Virtual Q&A session will take place on September 26th, 2024
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At the conclusion of the LIVE Q&A session for the 15 finalists, the top 3 finalists will be selected to compete LIVE IN-PERSON at BABSON COLLEGE on OCTOBER 29, 2024
If Chosen to Compete
Should you be chosen as a 2024 SFIA Virtual Start-Up Challenge finalist, you will receive:
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An official invitation to participate in the 2024 SFIA Virtual Start-Up Challenge Q&A Session on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM (EST)
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One-free-year of SFIA Membership
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Exposure and connections to 100+ 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 + potential investors and partners
Timeline
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Competitor applications open: June 17 – July 31st (extended from July 20th)
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Up to 15 finalists selected by the judges: August 1st
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Creation of investment profiles + initial pitch videos: August 1st – September 26th
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Virtual Q&A Session for 15 finalists: September 26th, 2024
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Judges review and select a top 3 to present LIVE IN-PERSON: October 1st
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2024 Start-Up Challenge Main Event LIVE IN-PERSON at BABSON COLLEGE: October 29th, 2024
2025 DATES COMING SOON
2024 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 2024 SFIA Virtual 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 2024 SFIA Start-Up Challenge Judge, you will be asked to:
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View each start-up finalist’s investment profile (before the LIVE Q&A on September 26th)
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View each start-up finalist’s pitch video (before the LIVE Q&A on September 26th)
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Send in 1 question you have for each finalist (before the LIVE Q&A on September 26th)
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Attend the 2024 SFIA Start-Up Challenge Virtual Q&A Session, on September 26th at 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM (EST)
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Evaluate each of the 15 start-up finalists and help decide the top 3
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Join us LIVE IN-PERSON at BABSON COLLEGE on October 29th to help us determine the 2024 Start-Up Challenge Champion (not required)
When a judge completes the tasks above, they will receive the complete judges roster.
2025 DATES COMING SOON
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
– KENT MCKEAIGG, FOUNDER OF ORDERMYGEAR
– STEVEN WEBSTER, CEO OF ASENSEI
“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
– TAYLOR HOST, CEO OF MIRO
Start-Up Challenge Supporting Partners
Questions? Contact Chandler Hoffman