SPRINGBOARD project focuses on the development and implementation of training program that will support the career transition of elite athletes, especially after the sports life, to be successful investors, business mentors and entrepreneurs on innovation-oriented entrepreneurship.

Creating an own business in the sports sector started to become popular among athletes in the recent years. Many athletes have started to work with start-ups, especially in the USA. Gone are the days when an athlete gave his/her name to a cafe, restaurant or car dealer. Today’s savvy athletes started to seek answers that how to use their brands, expertise, money, and networks to mentor, invest in, and work for exciting new ventures in the sports innovation and technology industry.

Further, sports technology innovators started to see athletes as valuable partners to seek out as they grow their startups.

• So, are elite athletes ready to perform this career transition?
• Do they have the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to become successful investors, mentors or entrepreneurs?
• Do they have educational resources to develop these skills and competencies?
• How can they effectively use their personal brand values, experiences, money and networks in the entrepreneurship sector?