New technology from startup ventures is transforming the global sports industry. This Startup Series has introduced over 200 startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience by allowing Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story and pitch their idea. Feel free to submit your startup’s answers to the below questions or contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for inclusion in this series. This particular startup is a part of HYPE Foundation’s “Top 50” Program. HYPE created a global platform which aims to accelerate and invest in sports innovation.
Company name: League Growth Assisted Fundraising from League Network
Founder(s): Anne-Sophie Whitehead & Jay Whitehead
Headquarters: Newark, NJ
1. What is your elevator pitch?
League Growth Assisted Fundraising from League Network raises more money faster, easier and safer than any fundraising method ever devised for youth and high school team sports.
A one-minute video shows how League Network works:
League Network Assisted Fundraising Platform from Erik Adamonis on Vimeo.
2. Problem & Solution
Youth sports leagues in America suffer a combined $3.2 billion budget shortfall–$1.2 billion in non-scholastic youth leagues and $2 billion in high schools. And while fundraising is necessary, it is despised by coaches, players and parents because it represents hard and low-yielding activities such as banquets, product sales and shake-the-can drives. League Growth Assisted Fundraising uses a unique twist on social media and email peer-to-peer crowdfunding to make more money easier, faster and safer than any other team sports fundraising solution in history.
3. Market
Our market is large and has two parts. Youth team sports—32,000,000 players with a $1.2 billion annual budget shortfall, and high school team sports—7,800,000 players with a $2 billion annual budget shortfall.
4. What is your business model?
League Growth charges a 10% to 15% all-in fee on funds raised.
5. Management Team
Anne-Sophie Whitehead Founder & COO
Jay Whitehead Co-Founder & CEO
Gurvinder Batra CTO
6. Anything else you want the audience to know about your venture?
The average League Growth Assisted Fundraising campaign raises $2500, with average donation of $65. League Growth will raise over $6 million for about 2,000 teams in 21 team sports in 2017. Why not yours? And if you’re a tournament director, ask us about how you can open a whole new world of opportunities for your tourney. More information at