SDSI MISSION


SD Sport Innovators is the heartbeat of the Southern California sports business community. We inspire sports innovation through connections & networking, mentoring & education and access to capital.


As a non-profit, business accelerating, trade organization SDSI connects and drives the growth of Southern California's vibrant sports economy by offering innovative programs and services for start-ups, mature companies and service providers. We offer mentoring, education and capital funding opportunities for start-ups; best practice collaboration, access to new technology and public policy advocacy for mature companies; as well as deal flow to our service providers and the Southern California Investment Community.

MENTORING

SDSI offers business mentoring opportunities for early stage companies and entrepreneurs from experienced C-level executives through CONNECT’s Springboard program and The Chairman’s Roundtable.


Springboard


SDSI Springboard is a FREE mentoring service that pairs qualified entrepreneurs with industry veterans for hands on mentoring.  The purpose of the Springboard Program is to fine tune company business plans, create a compelling commercialization strategy and prepare for capital funding opportunities.

 

The SDSI Springboard Program is not a funding program and does not guarantee funding. Rather, it is a mentoring program to help hone your business plan and investor presentation and to assist your preparation for when funding opportunities are presented.

 

SDSI Springboard accepts applications for sports related companies in the following categories:

 

Springboard Mentors
The SDSI Springboard Program has a cadre of mentors who volunteer their time to assist Southern California’s companies.  Mentors consist of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) as well as Domain Experts. 
EIRs are management and executive level industry veterans with experience starting and building a company in addition to experience raising funds. Domain Experts have specific expertise across industries including financial planning, marketing and branding.


If accepted into the springboard program, companies are matched with an EIR who spearheads your mentoring team. As part of the coaching process, your mentoring team will be rounded out with Domain Experts 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.

 

Springboard Process
The typical Springboard process can last from 6 weeks to 5 months depending on the company’s stage of development and ability to incorporate feedback.  Mentoring occurs in stages; defining the company strategy, defining the marketing plan, development of a financial model and culminates with a final presentation in front of potential investors, industry executives and service providers.

 

The typical springboard process consists of 5 panels:

 

Access to Capital
Graduating from the SDSI Springboard Program entitles your company potential opportunities to SDSI and CONNECT funding events:

 

SDSI Members are given priority to all funding events.  Learn more about our funding programs here.

 

Apply to SDSI Springboard here

 

To apply you must be based or plan to have a significant presence in the Southern California region.
For additional start-up resources click here
For SBIR and STTR resources click here

TESTIMONIALS

"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


To apply you must be based or plan to have a significant presence in the San Diego region. Apply to SDSI Springboard


Interested in getting involved as a mentor for our SDSI companies? Email your interest and resume to Renne Catalano rcatalano@connect.org


For additional start-up resources click here


For SBIR and STTR resources click here


Full program details here


Program Contact:
Renne Catalano
Senior Program Coordinator
Email: RCatalano@connect.org
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:
Garrett Hale
SDSI Program Manager
Email: GHale@connect.org
Phone: (858) 964-1314