New technology from startup ventures is transforming the sports industry. The mission of this series will be to introduce startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience and allow CEO’s of new ventures to tell their story.
Company: SunGod
CEO: Zoe Armstrong
Headquarters: London
1. What is your elevator pitch? 140 characters, please.
SunGod creates products that are inspired by an endless quest for the next adventure, made from innovative new materials and sold at a fairer price than anywhere else on the market.
2. Problem & Solution
A lot of the ski and snowboard goggles on the market today are over-priced, offer limited design options and don’t always last the course. From the experience and success of our adventure-proof sunglasses, we knew we could bring a better pair of goggles to market. So we started from the ground up, to develop an innovative new goggle concept, featuring interchangeable and fully replaceable parts. For the last 2 years we’ve been working closely with our manufacturing partner, through countless sample iterations and rigorous product testing, to develop an advanced lens construction that enhances contrast and optimises clarity in all conditions. Through extensive developing and prototyping, SunGod Revolt Goggles were born!
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
Our primary market is people who love the adventure and the outdoors! Generally in their 20s and 30s, they enjoy a wide variety of different sports, and have an appreciation of and desire for high quality eyewear, that will protect their eyes from the elements and look the part, but won’t break the bank.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
For the launch of our goggles, we’ve chosen Kickstarter to showcase them to as wide an audience as possible! We sell all of our products primarily online through our website www.sungod.co, as well as through selected sporting events that we partner with throughout the year, such as Henley Royal Regatta (rowing), Cowes Week (sailing) andThe Freeride World Tour (skiing/snowboarding)! It’s a great way to meet some of our existing customers, expand our reach and further develop our brand identity.
5. Management Team – with titles
Zoe Armstrong – Managing Director
Alistair Watkiss – Creative Director
6. What else do you want the audience to know about your venture?
Having just launched on Kickstarter, it’s a really exciting time for us! SunGod Revolt Goggles have been in development for the last 2 years and we’ve been overwhelmed with the positive response on Kickstarter so far! Our goal now is to keep the momentum going, so that we can keep making the product better and better. If we can hit our latest stretch goal of £80,000, we’ll include a SunGod Revolt Capsule Case with every pair of Revolts! We’d love for you to check out our campaign.
Bonus Questions:
If you were to invite any CEO to dinner who would it be and why?
It would be Tim Ferris! He’s been hugely influential in the start-up world and since reading The 4 Hour Work Week, he’s helped Ali and I to more effectively manage an every-increasing workload as a very small team! His focus on efficiency, streamlining key processes and tackling the tasks which will really move your business forward has been invaluable to our progression… and he seems like a nice guy too!
If you could go to any sporting event, what would it be and why?
The Winter X-Games for sure! I watch it every year, all of the athletes step up and push their limits to the absolute max and the atmosphere seems electric!