Youth
Digital media network and commerce marketplace focused exclusively on youth sports.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | $4.5m | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Youth Inc. operates as a specialized digital media and e-commerce platform positioned within the estimated $40 billion youth sports industry. The company was co-founded by former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, former Fanatics executive Ryan Baise, and media veteran Tim Murphy. Olsen's entry into this market was prompted by his experience as a parent and coach after retiring from professional football, where he found the youth sports landscape challenging to navigate.
The company's structure is a hybrid, integrating a content arm with a commerce engine. The media division focuses on producing and aggregating resources—including video interviews, podcasts, and blogs—to inform and guide parents, coaches, and young athletes. This content features a wide range of experts, from professional and collegiate athletes like Tom Brady and CJ Stroud to coaches and sports psychologists. The platform, which evolved from a podcast series launched in 2022, aims to be a central, reliable source of information covering topics like mental fitness, recruiting, and coaching best practices.
The commerce segment functions as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketplace for team gear, fanwear, and sports equipment from brands like Columbia and Johnnie-O. This division, led by CEO Ryan Baise, leverages his experience from Fanatics to address a perceived gap in the market for a streamlined, on-demand merchandise experience for youth sports organizations. The business model generates revenue through this marketplace and through sponsorships from brands native to the youth sports ecosystem. In May 2024, Youth Inc. secured $4.5 million in a seed funding round led by Will Ventures, with participation from notable investors including NFL quarterbacks Josh Allen and CJ Stroud, and firms like Ryan Sports Ventures and Isos Ventures.
Keywords: youth sports, digital media, e-commerce marketplace, sports content, athlete development, parent resources, coach education, team apparel, sports merchandise, Greg Olsen, sports technology, athletic guidance, youth athletics, sports training, mental performance, recruiting insights, athletic gear, fanwear, sports podcasts, content platform