Arizona State University has selected four winners for its 2021 Global Sport Venture Challenge. The startup pitch competition was held in partnership with Adidas, the Global Sports Venture Studio and Coalition Venture Studio.
Winning the first-place $15,000 prize was Timeout , an app for connecting athletes with mental health resources founded by Maya McClendon, a former ASU volleyball player from the Class of 2017. Apparel startup Conscious Gear won $10,000 for second place. The company sells outerwear clothing in plus sizes for outdoor enthusiasts and endurance athletes.
Get Gifted , a platform for brands to give gift cards to customers, received $5,000 for third place. The startup was co-founded by Michael Matus, a junior defensive end on ASU’s football team. In addition to the funding, all three startups will receive mentorship from GSVS, Coalition and Adidas. Also selected to receive mentorship was VBA America, a volleyball clothing brand founded by current ASU beach volleyball player Kate Fitzgerald.
Arizona State’s Global Sport Institute and J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute organized the event. The Global Sports Venture Studio is operated by R/GA Ventures and the Elysian Park Ventures, and its partners include NASCAR, MLB, MLS, the NHL, and UEFA. ShotTracker co-founder Davyeon Ross helped launch the Coalition Venture Studio.
