iSport360 Taps into NJ EDA’s Founders and Funders Investor Matching Event
Ian Goldberg, founder of iSport360, was one of a lucky group of more than 30 entrepreneurs who had the opportunity to meet with angel and venture capital investors to pitch their ventures at the NJ Founders and Funders event, hosted by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). Taking place at the EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT), NJ Founders and Funders events are semi-annual and allow entrepreneurs to network with investors in a one-on-one “speed dating” format.
“I’m here today to meet investors,” stated Goldberg, “I’d like to start building relationships with investors and get some feedback on where we can go.”
iSport360 just received its seed round funding prior to the NJ Founders and Funders event for its “sportstech” platform. It is an application which looks to improve the quality of coaching and training in youth sports and to ensure that participants are learning and making progress towards goals within their sport.
“The conversations are free and I’m looking forward to getting some good advice,” added Goldberg, while making sure he had ample opportunity to meet investors at the matching event.
Even before Kathleen Coviello, Director of the NJ EDA’s Life Sciences and Technology Division did the introductions, Goldberg had already saddled up to his matching investor David Horowitz of Touchdown Ventures LLC. Touchdown Ventures is a venture capital firm that operates out of a Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco office with over 75 funded investments across different industries.
“I’m participating in this for two principle reasons,” explained Horowitz. “I am here to meet new entrepreneurs and new startup companies in the region and second is to support the region.”
NJ Founders and Funders has emerged to be a signature event for the NJ EDA, connecting entrepreneurs with investors. Prior to the May 4th event, over 120 entrepreneurs had already connected with investors at the previous four EDA NJ Founders and Funders events.
“We’ve had companies come out of here with term sheets. We’ve had companies that have closed from two investors they met at this event,” stated Coviello, who welcomed both entrepreneurs and investors to the event. “This event has been very fruitful with all of the great coaching.”
Moving entrepreneurs forward with investor dollars and giving them the benefit of the knowledge of some highly accomplished people are two clear outcomes from the event.
“Given the experience I have, there are things I can do to help entrepreneurs.” Horowitz said in support of the meeting.
