programs

MENTORING


SDSI offers business mentoring opportunities for early stage companies and entrepreneurs from experienced executives through SDSI’s Springboard 2.0 and The Chairman’s Roundtable.

Springboard 2.0

Application period for Class 2 is now closed.  The application period for Class 3 will open Friday, July 26. 

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for consideration for a fast track process. If you are interested in applying please review the application process here and contact Renne Catalano at rcatalano@connect.org.

SDSI Springboard 2.0 is a FREE 4 month intensive mentoring program that pairs qualified entrepreneurs with industry veterans for hands on mentoring.  The purpose of the Springboard Program is to fine tune a company’s business plan, create a compelling commercialization strategy and prepare for capital funding opportunities. Companies who are accepted work together as a group, convening for each milestone to present to their business plans to fellow Springboard participants, business advisors and business executives for feedback.  Mentoring occurs in stages starting with the development of the 15-minute investor presentation and then refining the presentation to create a five minute Quick Pitch. The culmination of the program is the participation in a Capital Event for qualified comanies.*

Clarification on funding: SDSI Springboard 2.0 is not a funding program and does not guarantee funding. Springboard 2.0 is a mentoring program that prepares companies to be “Pitch Ready” if and when investment opportunities present themselves.

Disclosure and Confidentiality 
The Springboard process is about your business, not your technology. We will not ask you do disclose any proprietary information about your technology or invention; however NO ONE INVOLVED IN SDSI OR SPRINGBOARD - EITHER IN THE PREPARATION PHASE OF AT THE PANEL PRESENTATIONS - WILL SIGN A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.  The SDSI team and volunteers have agreed to maintain the highest standards of integrity with regard to your business activities. 


Springboard 2.0 Class II Schedule:

Mar. 3, 12:00am: Deadline for applications

Mar.14: Applicants notified if they qualify for Intake Panel

Mar. 18: Springboard Orientation for companies*

Apr. 1: Springboard Orientation for mentors

Apr. 9: Intake panel*

Apr. 12: Applicants notified if accepted into Springboard 2.0

May 30: Operations Panel*

Jul. 9: Dry Run Panel*

Aug. 13: Quick Pitch Panel*

TBD Sept: Capital Event**

*Participation is required
**Companies who complete all milestones are eligible to participate in a funding event. Those companies who join SDSI as members are given priority.

SDSI Springboard 2.0 accepts applications for sports related companies in the following categories:
Note:  Applicants must be based or have a significant presence in the Southern California region.
1. Sports/active lifestyle related products and services 
Target customer must be the sports/active lifestyle industries or athletes
2. Sports/active lifestyle apparel brands 
Target customer must be the sports/active lifestyle industries or athletes
3. Sports/active lifestyle related technology, software, Web 3.0
4. Advanced materials for the sports/active lifestyle industries

The following criteria is used to determine acceptance: 
1. Coachability
2. Business model viability
3. Product/service validity (working prototype, samples, significant testimonials, demonstrated sales, LOI, etc.)
4. Commitment (skin in the game, etc.)
5. Availability of mentors with relevant expertise


Springboard’s Four Milestones:
Intake Panel – Confirms acceptance into the Springboard Program. Preliminarily accepted applicants give their 15 minute company presentation to potential mentors, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A and feedback focused on coachability, business model and market opportunity. If accepted, a lead Business Advisor will be assigned to lead the mentoring team and domain experts will be assigned as needed.

Operations Panel – Springboard participants give further developed 15 minute company presentation to other Business Advisors, Domain Experts and fellow Springboard participants. Presentation is followed by 30 minutes of Q&A and feedback focusing on the company’s operations including finance model, marketing plan and branding strategy. Additional domain experts may be assigned if needed.

Dry Run Panel – Springboard participants give further developed 15 minute company presentation to Business Advisors, Domain Experts, SDSI board members and fellow springboard participants as a final opportunity for feedback and fine tuning prior to the Quick Pitch. Presentation is followed by 30 minutes of Q&A and feedback.

Quick Pitch Panel – Springboard participants give abbreviated 5 minute company presentation without slides to Business Advisors, Domain Experts, industry executives and potential investors.  Presentation is followed by 20 minutes of Q&A and feedback.


Springboard Mentors:
SDSI Springboard 2.0 has a cadre of business mentors who volunteer their time to assist Southern California’s companies.  These mentors include experienced Business Advisors and Domain Experts.  Business Advisors are C-level executives, Presidents and Vice-President industry veterans with experience starting and building companies in addition to experience raising funds. Domain Experts have specific expertise across industries such as financial planning, marketing and/or branding.

Upon acceptance into the Springboard program, companies are matched with an experienced advisor who helps spearhead their mentoring team.  Companies are also matched with domain experts as needed to provide advice on business model, marketing plan, financial model and projections, intellectual property, valuation, due diligence, financing, industry feedback or to provide valuable introductions to potential clients or strategic alliances.

Are you interested in getting involved as a business advisor for our SDSI companies? Email your interest and resume to Renne Catalano - RCatalano@connect.org


Entrepreneur and Mentor Resources:

2. SDSI Springboard Mentor Handbook

3. Additional resources for entrepreneurs including example business plans, executive summaries, term sheets ect., can be found here. 

Springboard Program Contact:
Renne Catalano
Program Manager
Phone: (858) 964-1334



The Chairman’s Roundtable

SDSI is partnered with The Chairmen’s RoundTable (CRT) San Diego, which is a non-profit volunteer organization comprised of successful Chief Executive Officers with diverse industry backgrounds who provide businesses in San Diego County advice on how to manage and grow their businesses through a well-defined mentoring program. CRT members provide this service free of charge to qualified area businesses as a way of giving back to the community.

As a partner, SDSI is able to refer sports industry specific companies to be mentored by CRT.

For more information please click here!

Contact:
Lisa Freedman
SDSI Executive Director
Phone: (858) 964-1351

Springboard Testimonials


"We are thrilled to be accepted into the SDSI Springboard 2.0 class 2.  The knowledge and guidance provided by our team of mentors will be invaluable for the development and growth of our business. Having access to some of the greatest start-up minds in the country is an opportunity we intended to make the most of."

- Charlie Wund, Founder & President, Agency for Student Health Research

“I am extremely grateful for going through the SDSI Springboard  program. The process itself is the most valuable part of the program.  Each phase of the program requires you to think about a different key business question not only for potential investors but also for the entrepreneur’s understanding of their own business potential and viability. And I have never heard of another program where mentors actually volunteered so much of their time helping the entrepreneurs. I hope to become one of their success stories and giving back my time to future participants." 

- Karlo Teran, Founder of fanxfan.com, now soccerly.com

"The springboard program is one of the most unique and valuable programs an aspiring entrepreneur could ask for, the education, guidance and relationships that are part of the process are absolutely priceless.  This sort of altruistic behavior is exactly what the American-dream is built on.  Everyone wants to get ahead today but who takes the time to help the people promoting change and innovating, usually no one.  At springboard the time and energy invested by the Entrepreneurs In Residence, advisers and organizers allow for real learning and business plan development.  This sort of consultation is nearly impossible to find otherwise, or at the very least is one sided or overly expensive.  I have a deep gratitude to SDSI, Connect and Springboard for helping me realize my dreams and create a context to do the same for others.  Consider yourself lucky to be a part of the program."

-Isaiah Truman, CEO, EZIA Human Performance

“I didn't realize how much I needed the Springboard program until I was in it. In fact my only regret is that I did not know about SDSI 2 years ago. I would have saved a lot of money and would have been much further along. The mentoring I received in my first meeting alone was some of the most priceless business information I have ever learned. For a small business owner to be able to connect with the level of people that donate their time to SDSI is priceless. I feel like I have real, inside information on how the best brands became successful. My mentors have been able to take the ideas and dreams inside my head and organize them in a way that makes everything clear. As entrepreneurs we all know how hard we have to work to make it; but because of SDSI I am working smarter and focused and it feels great!”

- Kristen Buchanan, Founder & CEO, The GoodOnYa Bar

"Since we began this journey, nothing has compared to the fortune of what we gained from our relationship with SDSI. Their EIR's give up valuable time to make a difference in the lives of our local business owners. They are committed, passionate and genuinely driven by seeing us succeed."

- Keir Dillon CEO, Frends

"We have been working really hard to prepare Shaper Studios for the Springboard Program and couldn't be more excited to start the next chapter of development with SDSI. This alignment will allow us to work closely with some of the great business minds in Southern California as we grow and add value to the San Diego sports community."

- Chris Clark, Founder & CEO Shaper Studios