Sustainable Business Growth
SDSI has been mentoring growing Sports and Active Lifestyle companies since 2008. Our flagship program, The SDSI Accelerator (previously called Springboard) provides business mentorship through a structured 20 week program, pairing teams of mentors with entreprenuers to refine their business plans and prepare for growth.
SDSI reaches out to the graduates of this program each year though the SDSI Accelerator (Springboard) Impact Survey to check in on the health of graduate businesses, and track key milestones and progress. This report is updated annually to highlight the impact the Accelerator Program has on the Sports, Active Lifestyle and Healthy Living industry in San Diego. We're proud of these statistics and the validation they bring, to the thousands of hours that San Diego business leaders donate each year, helping companies along the path to success.
SDSI Accelerator Impact Report
SDSI has been mentoring Sports and Active Lifestyle businesses in one form or another since 2008, the data for this report spans 2008 - 2022. In that time, the program has graduated 138 Sports and Active Lifestyle companies.
Research the failure rate of start-ups and small businesses, and you’ll find some startling numbers. 78% of our program graduates have merged, been acquired or continue to operate their business today.
Lifestyle companies often face unique challenges in raising funds. Our program does not have a direct link to funding, however our graduates have amassed a total of $93 Million in capital raised from a variety of sources - even including VC deals made on Shark Tank.
Companies that graduate our program have generated a total of 667 jobs, with a majority of those positions being right here in San Diego. When you’re building a business based on passion, sometimes its not just about the big exit. We’re proud to support the creation of jobs in our community.
Industry Breakdown
44% Consumer Products
21% Software/SaaS
15% Wellness
8% Mobile Apps
8% Mobile Health
6% Wearable Technology
5% Internet of Things
4% Big Data Analytics
3% Food & Beverage
3% Hardware
“SDSI is great for any early-stage company, from those who are migrating from an idea to a prototype all the way to those already in market and ready to grow. We received invaluable help from all our mentors, but specifically in our case needed assistance in legal and sales—which we benefited from these two mentors greatly. I highly suggest SDSI to any founder who is looking to to evolve into a next phase of their business, whatever that may be. The network at SDSI is truly world-class and you immediately are in the same group as some truly legendary founders, athletes, and mentors.”
