KC software group ventures into sports tech with new college athlete endorsement platform

With a new law in effect this summer allowing student athletes to sign sponsorship deals and profit off of their name, image and likeness, Artisan Technology Group jumped at the opening to help young people navigate such new opportunities, the company said.

Artisan teamed with Opendorse, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based sports tech firm, to help them create Opendorse’s platform, “Monitor,” for brands to post NIL (name, image and likeness) opportunities, as well as for athletes to browse and apply for available sponsorships. Deals are then able to be disclosed in accordance with the law.

“This platform allows brands and fans to discover athletes and pitch opportunities for the athletes to leverage their NIL, be it a social media message, event appearance, or other activities,” said Ashley Topping, director of marketing at Artisan. “Most schools want to understand the compensation and types of activities their athletes are engaging in, to help them remain in compliance with state and local laws, as well as the schools own contractual agreements.”

“Artisan helped Opendorse build a platform for athletes to easily disclose their NIL activities that happen on or off platform, as well as tools for the institutions to monitor and manage those disclosures,” she continued.

Click here to learn more about the Opendorse Monitor platform.

More than 50,000 athletes and more than 100 professional and collegiate teams are already using the platform, the company said. Hundreds of brands also are posting with the product. 

Opendorse has been a major player in the sports technology industry for years and needed a collaborative partner to be able to quickly design and develop the software, Artisan officials explained. With the companies’ joint expertise, the Artisan team was able to help Opendorse launch the Monitor product the day new rules came in force.

“At Artisan, we look for clients that want to build innovative solutions that will have a meaningful impact to their business and their industry. Opendorse was uniquely positioned to do both extremely quickly,” said Steve Timperley, chief revenue officer at Artisan. “We’re looking for clients that are looking to solve big problems and challenges through innovative technology.” 

Click here to learn more about Artisan Technology Group, one of the sponsors of the 2021 Pure Pitch Rally.

Artisan was named one of the Top 10 Small Businesses in KC by the Kansas City Area Chamber of Commerce. Inc. magazine also revealed Artisan spot at No. 2 on its 2021 list of most prestigious fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest. 

The company’s concentrated commitment to its clients and employees set Artisan apart, Topping said.

“We have successfully managed and adopted a hybrid workforce; while driving a positive, growing culture,” she said, noting workplace efforts like DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) programs, such as Make a Difference KC, where Artisan gives back to Kansas City through technology projects. “We look for clients that align to our core values and have innovation at the forefront of their projects.”

Artisan also is currently working with Sleepyhead Beds, a Kansas City based non-profit, to help them put a bed in every home that needs one in KC.

Founded in 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri, the entire team is still all based locally, Topping emphasized, with pride in what they do and the community they serve.

“Artisan is built right here in KC, with some of the greatest technological craftsmen in all of the Midwest,” she said. “We’ve prided ourselves in giving back to the Kansas City community and nearly all of our clients are right here in KC.”