New technology from startup ventures is transforming the sports industry. The mission of our Startup Profile Series is to introduce startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience and allow founders of new ventures to tell their story. This particular article is profiling one of the four startups in the inaugural Stadia Ventures Accelerator, which is culminating in a Demo Day on December 10th in St. Louis.
Company: LEIF Tech
CEO: Aaron Aders
Headquarters: Brooklyn, NY
1. What is your elevator pitch?
The entire snowboarding market of 30M people and $2B is left on the sidelines 6-8 months out of the year. But with our product, snowboarders can get back in the action and enjoy their sport all year round, anywhere in the world, even in Dubai!
We built the world’s only electric skateboard that moves like a snowboard. LEIF brings to the pavement those smooth sideways moves that you can only get on a mountain or a wave – for up to 20mph and with 8 miles of riding range per battery pack. We raised 160% of our fundraising goal through pre-orders on Indiegogo and another 500% through pre-orders on our website this year.
We are shipping our first boards next month, and we’re gonna keep snowboarding season open forever!
2. Problem & Solution
Problem – Snowboarders are unable to go boarding 75% of the year.
Solution – With patent pending technology, LEIF Tech has created a skateboard that has the move and feel of a snowboard. This not only will satisfy snowboarders offseason but will also help them maintain skill by allowing practice.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
Target Market – over 100 million (snowboarders, surfers, skateboarders)
4. Business Model
Sales through website Leiftech.com and plans to partner with retailers.
5. Management Team
Aaron Aders – Founder/President
Daniel Seagren – Chief Engineer
Bonus Questions
If you were stuck on a desert island with any three athletes, who would they be and why?
Aryton Senna – his talent, passion and focus would be something I would like to learn from.
Peter Line – he built an awesome brand with Forum and was never the best rider but he had style and passion too.
Jack Johnson – dominated everyone in a dangerous era for him personally, but he stayed outspoken and proud. I’d like to know what that is like.
If you were to invite any CEO to dinner who would it be and why?
Elon Musk – no question. He came from the middle class and sold his company for $1 billion, then risked all of it on his dream companies.
If you could go to any sporting event, what would it be and why?
It would be to watch Indiana University basketball play for the national championship. If it wasn’t one of my teams, then I guess I’d like to go to a heavyweight title boxing match in an exotic country or the Monaco Grand Prix.