Healium wins $50K in NFL pitch competition with play for pro athlete’s brain, heart health

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