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Start-Up Challenge
ABOUT THE SFIA START-UP CHALLENGE
In just its second year of installment, the SFIA received over 100 applicants from across the U.S. and around the world to participate and be chosen to pitch their business idea to industry executives in the StartUp Challenge!
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The five finalists were selected based on their proven leadership and innovation within the industry. To kick off the 2017 Industry Leaders Summit, the five companies will pitch their product or service innovation on Wednesday, September 13, from 8:00am – 10:00am in the French Room.
START-UP CHALLENGE JUDGES
Judges are listed in alphabetical order by company name. • Brian Anderson, Former President, 2XU • Brian Finegan, Head of Marketing & Product Management,
Sports & Fitness, Amazon • Mark Capalbo, Senior Director of Sales, Head of Online Wholesale & ASICS.com • Scott McDonald, CEO, Body Solid, Inc. • Jim Weber, President & CEO, Brooks Running Company • Mike Savage, CEO, Empower Fitness • Adam Franklin, CMO, Franklin Sports • Chris Clawson, Chairman, Sports & Fitness Industry Association • Bob Puccini, SFIA Immediate Past Chairman, Independent Consultant & Advisor to Mizuno USA, Inc. • Jonathan Ram, EVP North America, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc • Alison Minter, Managing Director, North Castle Partners • Julia Clark Day, Executive Director of Business Development,
The NPD Group • Matt Tingler, Director, Robert W. Baird • Marco Zambianchi, President, Technogym North America • Jason LaRose, President, North America, Under Armour, Inc. • Tony Armand, CEO, United Sports Brands • Catriona Harris, Founder, Uproar PR • Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy Winner & NFL Football Legend
2017 START-UP CHALLENGE FINALISTS
FEATURED SPEAKER STEVEN WEBSTER, CEO
A personal trainer who knows the users every move. With sensors throughout the clothing, she tracks posture and movement. She guides and monitors user practice, and provides feedback on form and progress, all delivered in real-time in the user’s ear.
FEATURED SPEAKER MARK STRELLA, Director of Business Development
An omni-channel shopping technology company that connects online shoppers to nearby, in-stock merchandise for premium brands.
FEATURED SPEAKER CHEN SHACHAR, Founder & CEO
A cloud based Smart Court sports video and analytics platform, integrating what happens on-court with interactive and social online community.
FEATURED SPEAKER DAVYEON ROSS, Co-Founder & COO
The company’s newest technology, ShotTracker TEAM, automatically captures real-time practice and game stats for an entire basketball team. The technology utilizes sensors that communicate with each other to capture player and ball movement as well as court location.
Wearable athletic technology focused on creating a better experience for athletes, coaches and fans, Used in a variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, running and other health and fitness activities.
