FAQ’s

Think of the Stadia Accelerator as a 7-session/14-week crash course to maximize the value of your company. We team you up with mentors and advisors with experience in your areas of need where everyone is incentivized towards the same goal: increase your company’s value in order to maximize the likelihood of reaching the next step of investment/partnership/acquisition. Whether it’s helping you land your next big sale; find a national retailer, league or pro team partnership; or help you establish robust business practices; we’re committed to shoring up your weaknesses and promoting your strengths. We’re investing in you because we think we can help you become a good investment.

Stadia runs two accelerator programs each year. The Spring program runs from April to June with an application window of November to January. The Fall program runs from September to December with an application window from May to June.

In addition to the efforts of our mentors and advisors, Stadia Accelerator invests up to $100K in cash in each business. The total amount of each investment and the corresponding equity depends on each company’s needs and valuation. And, the final package will be a combination of cash and sweat.

You don’t need to write a business plan, but our application requires a lot of the same information. Keep in mind that all finalists will be subjected to personal interviews in addition to a final pitch in front of our judges, investors and investment selection committee. So, it’s important that you can communicate all of the key factors that are normally included in a business plan.

Stadia Accelerator receives several hundred applications each year so it’s impossible to sign an NDA with everyone. We encourage you to apply to our accelerator, but urge you not to disclose any information that’s proprietary. Get us fired up about your business without giving away the recipe to your secret sauce.

Stadia Accelerator is focusing on the main categories of equipment, apparel, software/apps, big data analytics, fantasy, gaming, nutrition, and training. While these areas are very broad, our cohort structure is designed to give you invaluable lessons from the shared experiences of your fellow companies. While there may be overlap between companies in terms of target markets, digital marketing strategies, etc., it is highly unlikely that a cohort of five companies would include two that are direct competitors. Our goal is to maximize the value of all of our companies so working with direct competitors wouldn’t be very productive.

We receive several hundred applications for each cohort, Yet, we can only accept up to 5. Don’t take a rejection as an indictment of your company or business model; instead, view it as a result of the quality of the competition. Keep growing your company and get ready to apply again – after all, the next cohort is only a few months away!

Stadia Accelerator is looking for eSports and sports companies with the highest potential for growth and return on investment. Our companies cover a wide range of sizes, generally ranging from five digits to low seven digits in revenues. While higher current revenues are a strong validation of your business model, we still value other metrics to assess your growth potential.

Stadia Ventures receives equity in your company based on a negotiated valuation at the end of the application process. We are your partners – if we can’t increase your value then we don’t make a dime.

One of Stadia Ventures’ core strengths is the quality of our mentor/advisor network. When you join the Stadia Accelerator, you’re assigned a lead mentor who assumes main responsibility for your success. You’re also assigned mentors who have key experience and networks within your core areas of targeted business growth. All mentors are incentivized to use the full power of their networks to help you achieve success.

You don’t have to stay in St. Louis after the program ends. If you’re a Cubs fan, we may even invite you to leave before the program ends (just kidding…maybe).

Stadia Accelerator intends to offer additional investment up to $300K to the best graduates of our program. After we’ve spent this much time getting you ready for the next step, we don’t want to let the VCs have all of the fun!

Stadia Accelerator funds rising sports-related start-ups that are involved in the following categories: equipment, apparel, software/apps, big data analytics, fantasy, gaming, nutrition, and training. We prefer companies with existing products and revenues. That way we’re investing in “accelerating” your business as opposed to funding prototypes.

Stadia Ventures is located at CIC@4240 (4240 Duncan Ave, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63110), which is part of a 22-acre innovation district called Cortex. CIC@4240 houses several accelerators and over 200 startups. We’re proudly located in downtown St Louis. 3 miles from Busch Stadium (home of the St. Louis Cardinals), 3 miles from Scottrade Center (home of the St. Louis Blues), 4 miles from the Arch, and a mile from the best barbecue on the planet.