Let’s skip the small talk,
You better believe it, we just launched a marketplace connecting startups offering equity earning opportunities to athletes! The way the community has helped power our growth over the past 3 months has been incredible.
For new Backstage Members, you may be a VC, an athlete, a marketing agent, a financial advisor, etc. — please reach out and I will sit down, give you a demo (or watch the video) and take in your preferences.
Writing this one from LA, we have more community members to introduce soon…
LINEUP
1. New Community Members
2. The Last Infinity Stone As An Athlete
3. New Opportunities Listed Backstage 🔦
PODCAST
ICYMI, NFL LEGEND DREW BLEDSOE JOINS THE COMMUNITY!
Drew has built an incredible business in Bledsoe Family Winery and shares it all.
p.s.- I want to thank some of you guys for having patience with us, YouTube scolded and suppressed our video for having Wine glasses in the Thumbnail, but we made changes and our episode is up now!!
Hold us accountable…
THE LAST INFINITY STONE
Overcoming Hometown Pressure, a Full Circle Moment…
In our conversation you’ll see that the pressure that Walla Walla legend Drew Bledsoe experienced from high school all the way through his storied NFL career is unimaginable. But that's just sports. I will get to the crazy part ⬇️
Let's fast forward to the creation of Doubleback winery in 2007 after Drew's NFL career. This was more than a passion for Drew and quite frankly he had no choice... Walla Walla's economic reputation lies in the success of the Wine industry. Drew being such a storied figure adds an immense amount of pressure for his wine to be world class-- not only for himself, but to uphold the reputation of an entire region! Now that's pressure.
Within 4 years of starting his first winery, Doubleback managed to crack Wine Spectator's Top 100 List. For context, that's like the NFL Top 100, but for wine. It's unheard of for a company that young. Incredible.
To me that’s like the ultimate athlete movie story. Grow up somewhere that raises you, make it to the big leagues, and then use your new financial power to build something sustainable that uplifts the community around you.
See you Backstage 🔦
Super diverse lineup this week, really proud of the batch we put together.
If you are a new Backstage member, welcome! You have access to Vol. 11 , Vol. 12, Vol. 13, and Vol. 14 (what you are reading).
To startups…
To be considered for a feature, click here. We’re sector agnostic. Not all submissions will be responded to.
This week Backstage 🔦
A first look at a diverse batch of companies offering investment and equity earning opportunities
Get Access:
- 📚 AI Education Tool For Assisted Learning (Techstars ’22)
- 🤝 Athlete/Military Veteran Recruiting Platform
- 🍬 A Healthy Nicotine Alternative CPG Brand
- 🖲️ A Device To Improve Athletic Recovery