Stadia Ventures Launches Accelerator and Expects to Invest $10M in Sports Startups
Stadia Ventures, the Sports Innovation Hub, announced the launch of Stadia Accelerator, a business development accelerator for sports-related startups. They expect to invest $10M over the next 5 years to help sports startups get to the next level through the combination of up to $100,000 in equity investment, intensive mentoring, and connections to the top sports business executives in the country.
St. Louis, MO, June 22, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ST. LOUIS, June 19, 2015 - Stadia Ventures, the Sports Innovation Hub, announced the launch of Stadia Accelerator, a business development accelerator for sports-related startups. Stadia Accelerator expects to invest $10M over the next five years to help sports startups get to the next level through the combination of up to $100,000 in equity investment, intensive mentoring, and connections to the top sports business executives in the country.
Stadia Accelerator will be a 10-week business development program held twice a year in St. Louis, Missouri. Each program is expected to feature a cohort of five companies, with each company receiving an equity investment of up to $100K and committing to attend a targeted curriculum in St Louis each Thursday-Friday of the program (founders fly in Thursday AM and depart Friday PM). Portfolio companies will be matched with mentors and advisors with specific experience in their focused areas for growth.
"Stadia Ventures is designed to create an ecosystem for three parties: sports entrepreneurs, sports executives, and sports investors. These groups are all focused on sports innovation, but currently there is no structure that connects them. Programs like Stadia Accelerator provide each stakeholder a network that is built around the pipeline of sports innovation."
Art Chou, Co-founder and Managing Director
Stadia Accelerator is now accepting applications for the first class, which begins on September 10, 2015. Interested startups should visit: stadiaventures.com/accelerator.
Stadia Accelerator targets sports-related companies with proven product and sales in any of the following categories: Software/Apps, Big Data, Equipment, Apparel, Fantasy, Gaming, Nutrition, and Training.“ We are a business development accelerator”, says Stadia Ventures co-founder and Managing Director Tim Hayden. “We target companies with existing sales who can leverage our experience and connections to increase their company’s value. Our strength is our mentors and advisors, who represent a “who’s who” of senior executives from the team and corporate side of the sports industry.”
Stadia Ventures co-founder and Managing Director Art Chou states “Stadia Ventures is designed to create an ecosystem for three parties: sports entrepreneurs, sports executives, and sports investors. These groups are all focused on sports innovation, but currently there is no structure that connects them. Programs like Stadia Accelerator provide each stakeholder a network that is built around the pipeline of sports innovation.”
Stadia Ventures is a business development company in St. Louis, Missouri focused on innovation in the sports industry. Their services include start-up funding & mentoring, industry consulting, and investor education. For more information visit: www.stadiaventures.com.
Contact:
Tim Hayden, Managing Director (thayden@stadiaventures.com)
Art Chou, Managing Director (achou@stadiaventures.com)