SDSI and Qualcomm Foundation Join Forces to Support Female Founders and Growing Tech Businesses in the Sport and Active Lifestyle Space

SDSI and Qualcomm Foundation Join Forces to Support Female Founders and Growing Tech Businesses in the Sport and Active Lifestyle Space
- Qualcomm Foundation to sponsor SDSI Accelerator -

Solana Beach, CA, August 1, 2019 – SDSI and Qualcomm Foundation announce a new collaboration and increased dedication to supporting the rising number of female founders and technology related/enabled businesses in the Sport, Active Lifestyle, Health and Wellness space. SDSI Accelerator, SDSI’s established business mentoring program will be sponsored by Qualcomm Foundation for the next cohort and will bring new opportunities for program participants.

With the support of Qualcomm Foundation, SDSI is accelerating trends that are particularly promising to the future of San Diego County. The SDSI Accelerator program has graduated 86 companies, of which, 51% are female founded or led and 55% are creating sports technology related/enabled products or services.

“The exemplary community leadership of Qualcomm and Qualcomm Foundation will bring our SDSI efforts to new and incalculable heights as we seek to create new jobs, business and opportunity for those chasing the dream," said Executive Chairman Bill Walton.  “The Foundation’s support, as a foundational pillar of everything that is good in our beloved San Diego, will allow us to rapidly accelerate the future trends we are already witnessing in our sports and active lifestyle industry."

With Qualcomm Foundation’s sponsorship, SDSI Accelerator participants will receive unprecedented, dedicated mentoring sessions with senior Qualcomm employees that will include the rare opportunity to connect with experienced staff for feedback, contacts and guidance. 

The SDSI Accelerator is a 20-week business mentoring program for established businesses in the Sports, Active Lifestyle, Health & Wellness space who are serious about growth and scale. Each SDSI Accelerator company is paired with a team of mentors, tailored to their business needs. Since its beginnings in 2009, The SDSI Accelerator has graduated 86 companies, 82% are still in business, they have created nearly 550 jobs and raised nearly $86 million in capital.

Applications for the next cohort of the SDSI Accelerator Sponsored by Qualcomm Foundation will open on August, 5 2019. Interested in becoming a mentor? Learn more at www.sdsportinnovators.org/accelerator-program.

About SDSI
SDSI is a nonprofit business development organization dedicated to making San Diego the capital of the Sport, Active Lifestyle, Health and Wellness industry by creating jobs, business and commerce in our space. We have created a community where there was not one before to facilitate cross vertical collaboration, tactical partnership building, executive education and business mentorship.

About Qualcomm Foundation
Established in 2010 by Qualcomm Incorporated, the Qualcomm Foundation is dedicated to developing and strengthening communities worldwide. Specifically, the Qualcomm Foundation focuses on inspirational, innovative programs that serve diverse communities where we have a business presence. For more information about the Qualcomm Foundation and Qualcomm Incorporated’s global sustainability programs, visit www.qualcomm.com/community.