Healium wins $50K in NFL pitch competition with play for pro athlete’s brain, heart health
May 2, 2022 | Startland News Staff
Patrick Mahomes is no longer Missouri’s only MVP in the eyes of the NFL. The organization’s player’s association just crowned a Columbia-based startup the $50,000 winner of its annual pitch contest.
In late April, NFLPA Pitch Day brought six diverse-led startups to Las Vegas to compete for prizes in its annual contest. Among them was Healium — a product that allows users to learn to self-regulate their focus and calm by giving them the ability to see their EEG brain patterns or heart rate in near-real-time.
Click here to learn more about Healium, one of Startland News 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020.
Sarah Hill, Healium
“We’re just beyond belief thrilled to lock arms with the NFLPA to put more of these drugless, non-harmful coping mechanisms in the hands of players,” said Sarah Hill, founder and chief storytelling officer. “It’s a game-changer for us.”
As winner of the contest, Healium received $25,000 in player marketing services from the NFLPA and $25,000 in services from OneTeam Partners, a licensing, marketing, and multimedia company; and Truist, a purpose-driven financial services company and the competition’s presenting sponsor.
The startup also won consultation from Allied Sports and Allied Global Marketing — a full-service agency responsible for working with some of the world’s largest entertainment, lifestyle, and sports brands.
An all-star lineup of judges for the sixth annual event included Marshawn Lynch, NFL legend and NFLPA chief brand officer, Kelsey Plum, star of the WNBA, Jaylon Smith, NFL linebacker, Melissa Bradely, 1863 Ventures, and Jeff Dunn, executive vice president of wealth management, sports, and entertainment at Truist.
The contest was held in concert with the 2022 NFL Draft. Kansas City is set to host the annual gathering of teams next spring.
[divide]
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kittrell: 5 frustrations for non-technical founders
You’ve got a great idea for an app — the kind that keeps you up at night. But you’ve never worked on a software project before and have no idea what you’re in for. Sound familiar? Here’s a list of common frustrations I see from my non-technical clients. 1. Scope creep No, it’s not a…
Gallery: Lean Lab fellows set to disrupt KC education
Already improving education for about 2,400 area students, the Lean Lab recently set loose another group of innovators hoping to transform Kansas City education. The Kansas City-based education innovation incubator on Friday held its Launch Day, the culminating event of its incubator fellowship. The incubator conducted a five-week ideation program that assisted 10 fellows building…
Applications open for Missouri tech funding
Ready your typing fingers, entrepreneurs. The Missouri Technology Corporation recently opened applications for its IDEA Fund, a program that will match other capital investments in high-growth tech companies. The MTC, a public-private organization that makes investments in Missouri tech companies, is currently accepting applications for four of its IDEA programs, three of which are tailored…
DataLocker acquisition to boost encryption offerings
Overland Park-based data security firm DataLocker recently acquired a Swedish tech firm that will expand its encryption technologies. DataLocker on Tuesday announced the acquisition of BlockMaster, a USB security tech company, for an undisclosed amount. The deal will augment DataLocker’s encryption management platform that allows its clients to track the use and location of sensitive…