Arizona State University and Arizona Lottery announce partnership to expand ASU’s sport innovation efforts

Applications now open - Up to $50k, workshops, promotional resources, and mentorship available for sport-specific start-ups

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Global Sport Institute and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University are teaming up with the Arizona Lottery’s Gives Back program to support ASU’s Global Sport Venture Challenge - a pitch competition designed to assist entrepreneurs in launching and scaling sport-related startups. Applications are now open and will be accepted until Oct. 23, 2022. Finalists will be announced in November and will be competing for up to $50k in grant funding. The program will culminate with a live pitch competition on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 at ASU’s Demo Day.

Arizona State University was recently selected as a grant recipient of the AZ Lottery’s Gives Back program. Every year, hundreds of millions of dollars from Arizona Lottery ticket sales go to programs and organizations doing good in four key areas: higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation, and economic and business development. ASU will be utilizing these funds to encourage, educate, and support young entrepreneurs building products and services focused on, but not limited to: venue innovation, immersive technology, fan engagement, athlete training & performance, mental health, sustainability, NIL, data analytics, sustainability, and community relations/social impact.

“The Arizona Lottery is proud to partner with ASU and to support their Global Sport Venture Challenge,” said Arizona Lottery Executive Director Gregg Edgar. “We recognize the benefits that the business of Sport brings to Arizona and we want to foster the development of our next generation of entrepreneurs. As a significant driver of our state’s economy, the Lottery is always looking for ways to help create jobs and generate revenue in Arizona for years to come.”

Representatives from ASU and the AZ Lottery will jointly select the winners of the challenge during ASU’s Demo Day in December. In addition to the $50,000 prize, the Global Sport Institute and Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute will supply the winner(s) of the venture challenge with promotional resources, workshops, and 1:1 mentorship.

“We’re very excited to partner with the AZ Lottery on our latest Global Sport Venture Challenge,” said Jeff Kunowski, Global Sport Institute Associate Director of Innovation Programs. “ASU’s focus on education, innovation, and economic development align perfectly with the mission and values put forth through the AZ Lottery’s Gives Back program. We look forward to seeing all of the great ideas coming out of this year’s program.”

"We are thrilled to bring on board the AZ Lottery to award our entrepreneurs grant funding to advance their innovative sport-related ventures that deeply impact our communities.  It's through these partnerships that we're able to grow the reach of the Global Sport Venture Challenge as part of ASU Venture Devils Demo Day connecting vital resources to our ventures," said Tracy Lea, Director, Venture Development, J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at ASU. 

 The program framework will be provided through Edson E+I Institute’s Venture Devils program and will conclude with a live demo day pitch competition on Dec. 3, 2022. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with Arizona State University to apply. Those interested in joining the pitch competition can learn more about ASU’s venture programs and apply here:

Apply here

About the Arizona Lottery

Since 1981, the Arizona Lottery and its retail partners have generated more than $4.8 billion in net funding in support of programs that help to improve the quality of life for the people of Arizona. Proceeds from Lottery ticket sales fund programs in higher education, economic development, environmental conservation and health and human services. The mission is to support Arizona programs for the public benefit by maximizing net revenue in a responsible manner. Learn more at ArizonaLottery.com.

About the The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University

The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute serves as a premiere connecting and collaborating conduit across Arizona State University, the greater Phoenix community, nationwide and throughout the world. The Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute helps propel entrepreneurial aspirations by way of opportunities to explore, share, test and advance ideas. As a central source of information, resources and people, engaging with the Edson E+I Institute is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, engage with global and local events and communities, and launch an idea through mentoring, funding, spaces and commercialization. Follow Edson E+I on TwitterFacebookInstagram and LinkedIn.

More information at: http://entrepreneurship.asu.edu

About Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University

The Global Sport Institute is where diverse disciplines converge to thoughtfully examine critical issues impacting sport. As a cross-disciplinary enterprise, the institute's efforts are integrated throughout the entire university — from engineering to sociology, to the athletic department and beyond — rather than within a single concentration. With an emphasis on expanding research, sharing knowledge, supporting innovation and advancing education, the institute's mission is to use sport to create positive change throughout the world. Through its partnership with the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, the Institute offers start-ups access to an extensive array of curriculum, workshops, advisors, funding and other university resources. Follow the Institute on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and LinkedIn.

More information at: https://globalsport.asu.edu/

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