Sun Devil Athletics Kicks Off its 2nd Annual Venture Challenge

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sun Devil Athletics, the Global Sport Institute, and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, have launched their second annual Sun Devil Athletics' Venture Challenge – Focused on supporting start-ups in the sports vertical while keeping Sun Devil Athletics on the cutting edge of new technology.
  
The SDA Venture Challenge's inaugural session took place in the spring of 2021 and received interest from ventures across the globe spanning numerous subject matters.
 
"We're proud to have played a part in the development and growth of three emerging start-ups thanks to our partnership with the Global Sport Institute and the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "As one of the largest universities in the U.S. and a national hub for innovation, we look forward to the expansion of our GSI and Edson E+I partnership to include the use of our facilities as the next generation of great minds explore innovative sport concepts on our campus."
 
This year's SDA Venture Challenge aims to establish new and innovative sport concepts that can be launched, piloted, and scaled at Sun Devil Athletics' various facilities – particularly in the areas of venue innovation, immersive technology, fan engagement, athlete training & performance, sustainability, NIL, data analytics, and community relations/social impact.   
 
Applications are now open and will close on Friday, April 1st, 2022. The challenge will culminate with a hybrid live/virtual pitch competition in late April 2022.
 
Sun Devil Athletics will select the winner(s) of the venture challenge and provide the opportunity to implement their product/service at Sun Devil Athletics' facilities. The Global Sport Institute and Edson E+I will supply the winner of the venture challenge with promotional resources, mentorship, and award(s) of up to $25,000.
 
"ASU's Global Sport Institute and J Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute are excited to expand upon our partnership with Sun Devil Athletics." said Associate Director of Innovation Programs, Jeff Kunowski. "Our inaugural competition was a resounding success, and we look forward to evaluating a new group of start-ups as we kick off year two of this exciting initiative."
 
More information regarding timing and location of the live pitch competition will be available in the coming weeks.
 
Those interested in applying can learn more at: http://asu.startuptree.co/event/s/RaJaYRwzFFeN2YetFcA5ec/Sun-Devil-Athletics-Venture-Challenge-
 
Last year's winners:
Three emerging start-ups were chosen to receive funding and mentorship from the Global Sport Institute, along with the opportunity to have Sun Devil athletes beta-test their products. Organic Robotics Corporation took home the top prize for their wearable Light Lace™ sensors that help keep athletes safe and at the top of their game using photonics to track biometric info such as muscle fatigue and respiratory levels. Nextiles won second place for their fabric-embedded circuitry that captures an athlete's range of motion and joint power. Third place went to Phlex for their goggle worn training tracker for swimmers that provides details like heart rate and stroke analysis.
 
About ASU Sun Devil Athletics
For more than a century, Sun Devil Athletics has achieved legendary success on and off the field. With 26 intercollegiate varsity sports and more than 650 student-athletes representing Arizona State University, Sun Devil Athletics today is a force that brings even greater attention to the country's most innovative university (U.S. News & World Report, 2016, 2017, 2018), while also engaging the regional community through thousands of volunteer service hours. Seeking the highest-possible bar of excellence, Sun Devil Athletics shapes student-athletes who are successful academically and athletically, and who are prepared for success following graduation.Championship performance, integrity, graduation and tradition are hallmarks of the Sun Devil Way.
 
About the 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 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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
 
More information at: https://globalsport.asu.edu/
 
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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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