Creating jobs and making connections is what we do.
We are a not-for-profit organization of like minded individuals who appreciate businesses built from passion for a lifestyle. We are committed to the growth and development of Sports and Active Lifestyle Industry (SAL) and support healthy living companies in all stages, by fostering innovation, providing business mentorship and building communities.
We have lost one of our own, one of the greats – we are so saddened by the loss of our Executive Chairman of the Board, Bill Walton.
Though many enjoyed his larger-than-life personality, legendary athletic skill and generous spirit, we were the fortunate group who benefited from his time and presence, as Bill served as the champion and cornerstone of SDSI for more than a decade. He took on the role as Chairman in a completely volunteer capacity; we experienced first-hand the depths of Bill’s generosity. He was always the first to defer his successes to the influence of the great minds he’d encountered in his life, and he worked actively (and oh so humbly) to give back, pay it forward, and continue to remind us all how lucky we are to be here, in this life, in this industry and in San Diego.
We know he’s touched so many with his ability to ask excellent questions and make everyone feel like a friend - we never understood how he could remember so many names. Knowing Bill the way we did, we know he wouldn’t want us to make a big fuss about him, but he was a big deal to us, so we’ll keep moving forward and working hard to support this space Bill loved - always keeping an eye to how we can further his legacy and honor all he’s given to us.
~ We miss you already Bill - The SDSI Team
Get Involved
SDSI is for all businesses and individuals interested in the Sports, Active Lifestyle and Healthy living space. From membership benefits to mentoring programs there's many ways to get involved and support the community we all love.
San Diego Lifestyle Originals
Here we pay tribute to the original thinkers, innovators and disrupters. The San Diego Originals that built a business on passion, to share with their neighbors - and ended up creating a brand that exported San Diego vibes far beyond the confines of the county. Without their vision and grit, San Diego’s Sports, Active Lifestyle, Health & Wellness industry wouldn’t exist - and an organization like ours wouldn't be possible. Read their stories and learn more about how passion for a way of life, gave rise to a culture and a community.
Did you know that?
• The total economic output of the San Diego SAL industry is 6.3 billion dollars
• SAL companies range from golf cart manufacturers to yoga brands to health and fitness apps to wetsuit manufacturers and everything in-between
• San Diego is perennially #1 in America in its percentage of 18 to 34 year olds
• San Diego ranks #2 among the top 25 leading cities in America in patents per 1000 of population
• The Sport and Active Lifestyle (SAL) industry already directly employs over 39,000 people in San Diego, with tens of thousands more working in adjacent industries
• The sum of the SAL companies' activities comprise what is widely known as the “San Diego Lifestyle"
Want to dive deeper into the stats? Visit the EDC dashboard for more exciting statistics about San Diego, that you probably didn't know!
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the attributes that make San Diego the natural home for the Sport and Active Lifestyle industry. Join a likeminded group that's invested in San Diego's rich entrepreneurial spirit and passion for truly living life to the fullest!
Become an SDSI Insider and receive a monthly update on all things SDSI: SAL companies, news, events, job openings, mentor programs updates and more.
Welcome! Come on in...
A note from SDSI Executive Director, Bob Rief
Hey, Welcome to SDSI... San Diego Sport Innovators is the local business development group focused in on Sport, Active and Healthy Lifestyle companies. The sum of our members businesses are what’s commonly known as ‘the San Diego lifestyle.” Hike, bike, surf, kite, skate, fly, hit balls or catch them, swim, paddle, run, moto, desert, whatever, its why we live in San Diego and its why there is an SDSI. If you run a company like this, or work in one, or want to work in one, or better yet, start one, San Diego is the place and we are here to help.
SDSI is a business development group that is focused on the SAL business, “Sport and Active Lifestyles.” We are a membership organization comprised of Industry members and the Service providers that make the wheels go around. Our industry members range from very small companies to very large companies. Our service providers run the gamut as well, from small-business focused bookkeeping firms to multinational Law Firms, Banks and Investment Bankers. There are three classes of membership: Board of Directors, Advisory Board and General. The fee structure is low. Each group meets no less than 4 times a year. Major events are attended by all.
And what do we do….?
We work non-stop on making San Diego the capital of the SAL Industry. Just as Boulder is the Capital of Outdoor, San Diego should be the Capital of the SAL industry. We are adjacent to the “new China” called Mexico, number 3 in car exports, number 1 in beer, and 5000 miles and 15 time zones closer than the “old China.” To the east we have the mountains and deserts and all the fun things that come with them. To the west, the Pacific…what can I say? And to the north, Camp Pendleton and 8,000 Marines keeping the Orange and LA Counties up there, away from our peace and serenity!
San Diego is the perfect work ecosystem! Bring your business, bring your self, start a business…this is the place.
But that's not all. We provide Executive Networking, for instance, connecting an emerging company with sales momentum with a local Investment group to fund growth. We do this actively every day. If we can help connect, that's what we do!
Our executive education programs have been very successful. We have met Joe Kudla, Founder/CEO of Vuori, Bob McKnight, the Founder of Quiksilver, Beaver Theodaskis, Founder of prAna, and the amazing Guy Kawasaki, Apple’s first marketer and Jeff Harbaugh, a very well-known consultant, journalist and skate iconoclast. The goal is to send everyone home just a bit smarter that they arrived. Seems to work!
Last but most importantly, we run multiple SDSI Mentoring Programs. We have a full spectrum of mentor programs, from idea stage to established business, that help entrepreneurs convert dreams to thriving businesses. Our Mentors understand this special “space” called SAL business and have a desire to give back to the industry they love. They have played a role in helping many companies get started…click here to find out just how many!
These are the strengths of the SDSI Community. If you are not a member, email, call, come in; the more of us, the better. Join us in making San Diego the best place to live and work anywhere!
-Bob
Header Photo: Aaron Checkwood
