Press release:
San Diego, Calif. – February 6, 2013 – SD Sport Innovators, the business accelerator that connects and drives the growth of Southern California’s vibrant sports innovation economy, is now accepting applications for Springboard 2.0 through March 3.
Springboard 2.0 is a free four-month, intensive mentoring program for innovative sport and active lifestyle companies located in Southern California. Accepted companies are paired with seasoned executives for hands on mentoring through a series of milestones to refine their business plan and investor presentation with the end goal to develop a compelling commercialization strategy and investor presentation.
SDSI Springboard, adapted from CONNECT’s Springboard program – which has successfully assisted emerging companies in the high-tech, biotech and clean tech industries for more than 20 years – has graduated 16 companies since it became a standalone program in 2011. Last September, SDSI Springboard was revamped to make it more efficient and effective. SDSI Springboard 2.0 currently has four companies slated to graduate at a Quick Pitch Panel at the end of this month.
“The mentoring I received in my first meeting alone was some of the most priceless business information I have ever learned,” says Kristen Buchanan, Founder & CEO of The GoodOnYa Bar, prospective March 2013 graduate. “For a small business owner to be able to connect with the level of people that donate their time to SDSI is priceless. As entrepreneurs we all know how hard we have to work to make it; but because of SDSI I am working smarter and focused and it feels great!”
SDSI has a team of more than 50 very dedicated Business Advisors and Domain Experts who volunteer their time to help make these entrepreneurs’ dreams and business ideas the next generation of So Cal’s sports businesses.
“As a mentor and Business Advisor these past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of giving back to the emerging Sports community in a way that really transcends other types of pro bono work, says Carl Thomas, SDSI Springboard Business Advisor and CEO at X-1. “To be able to actually guide Entrepreneurs utilizing my real world experience and help optimize their business plans while at the same time steering them around potential mistakes, is both fun and gratifying.”
Apply to SDSI Springboard 2.0 at www.sdsportinnovators.org/programs_mentoring. If you are interested in becoming a mentor please contact Renne Catalano atrcatalano@connect.org.
About SDSI
SD Sport Innovators (SDSI) is a non-profit, business accelerator that connects and drives the growth of Southern California’s vibrant sports economy by offering elite level networking, and innovative programs and services for start-ups, mature companies and service providers. We offer mentoring, education and capital funding opportunities for start-ups; best practice collaboration, access to new technology, and public policy advocacy for mature companies; as well as deal flow to our service providers and the Southern California Investment Community.
