San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI), the non-profit business development organization for the sports and active lifestyle industry, is accepting applications to its acclaimed business accelerator program, SDSI Springboard.
“SDSI Springboard is a four month, intensive mentoring process dedicated to fostering the next generation of SAL companies into sustainable and scalable businesses,” says Renne Catalano Gussman, SDSI’s Program Director. “The program is open to sport and active-lifestyle companies of all sizes who are facing significant milestones such as: launching a new product, starting a new business, shifting their business model, preparing to raise capital or working through a significant growth phase.”
SDSI Springboard graduates have a pretty impressive record: 61 companies have graduated since 2009, have raised $47.5 million dollars in capital funding, have created 390 jobs and 89 percent are still in business.
Accepted companies are paired with some of the best CEOs, finance experts and marketing experts from San Diego’s SAL industry. These mentors volunteer their time and insights to help entrepreneurs refine their company business models and become better positioned for securing strategic partnerships, building their team & advisors, launching a new product/service, securing investment and overall success.
Gussman continues, “This class of SDSI Springboard participants will have the rare opportunity to attend a hands on workshop with program sponsors Vantage Point Advisors and Voit Real Estate Services for an education on key elements for scaling a business – that are often-times the most challenging for entrepreneurs! Specifically, business valuation and finding the right physical space to meet the needs of their growing businesses.”
David Bronkie, co-founder of Arcade Belts and 2013 SDSI Springboard graduate shares, “For a fellow entrepreneur looking to gain access to mentors that are willing to dedicate their time, instill their knowledge and open up their Rolodex, it’s a must. Anyone that goes through the SDSI Springboard program will have much more intimate knowledge with every aspect of their business plan after sharing it with people whose opinions are honest and educated.”
There is no cost to apply; upon acceptance into SDSI Springboard, SDSI Membership is required in order to participate. Membership for SDSI Springboard participants is an amazingly low price of $1,000 and includes a year membership to SDSI and 20 weeks of mentoring via SDSI Springboard. Apply through June 26 at http://sdsportinnovators.org/springboard/. Interested in becoming a mentor? Contact renne@sdsportinnovtors.com to learn more.
About SDSI
SDSI is a nonprofit business development organization. Our mission is to make San Diego the capital of the Sports and Active Lifestyle (SAL) Industry. We provide connections, collaboration opportunities, continuing executive education and business mentoring through our accelerator program, SDSI Springboard. Since 2009, SDSI Springboard has graduated 61 companies. Graduates have raised $47.5M in capital funding, have created 390 jobs and 89% are still in business. SDSI represents over 90 SAL companies. The sum of our members’ businesses represent the “San Diego Lifestyle”. www.sdsportinnovators.com
