Fast-Growing Backyard Games Pioneer CROSSNET Gets Acquired

Forbes

9 hours ago

CROSSNET, a trendsetter in backyard games, has been acquired by the Canadian outdoor living company Vivere, Ltd., for an undisclosed amount.
'Selling CROSSNET to Vivere marks an exciting new chapter for both our brand and our sport,' said Chris Meade, co-founder of CROSSNET. 'Vivere's reach, resources, and shared vision for the backyard space makes them the perfect partner to take CROSSNET to the next million players. We're incredibly proud of what we've built, the sport we've invented, and know Vivere will continue to make CROSSNET a household name for years to come.'
Miami-based CROSSNET started out as a three-man business seven years ago, and was bootstrapped by founders and brothers Chris and Gregory Meade and their friend Mike Delpapa to $1 million in revenue with no employees before scaling up to an estimated $48 million in annual revenue.
Brainstorming business ideas into the wee hours one night in 2017, they came up with the idea to combine volleyball with Four Square to create a four-way volleyball game. Chris's goal was to leave his job in sales for a food-delivery app behind.
Tapping the cold-calling skills he honed at that job, Chris persuaded SCHEELS, a Midwestern sporting goods chain, to test the product in two stores. When CROSSNET sold out, the chain ordered it for 22 locations. The trio built it to $2.25 million in 2019, before hiring a single employee. Today, it is sold on Amazon and in major retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Target and Walmart.
The game got a boost during the pandemic, when more Americans were looking for backyard entertainment. CROSSNET also benefited from institutional sales to schools, that incorporated it into physical education programs.
Chris estimates that 1 million people have now played it—a number that is likely to grow now that it has inroads into the vast Canadian market, where volleyball is already a popular sport.
'Adding CROSSNET to our lineup is about more than just acquiring a game,' said Jason Stoter, president of Vivere, based on the Toronto area. 'It's about continuing a story that started with three friends, a dream, and a net — and making sure that story reaches every backyard, beach, and park possible.'
Vivere owns approximately 30 backyard games, including bestselling Ladder Golf, and has a presence in the U.S.., Europe and Australia, according to Gary Pepper, sales manager for Vivere. 'We are extremely pleased with the purchase and think we'll be able to bring the business to new heights,' he said.
Chris has already started two new ventures. He cofounded a network for young entrepreneurs called The Founders Club with Aaron Spivak, who founded and exited the weighted blankets startup Hush Blankers. The application-only group, launched in 2023, has grown to more than 500 members, according to Chris He also co-founded a fast-growing fitness studio, BODY Hot Pilates, with his wife Lyndsey. Gregory is an owner in Vonu, which makes baby products such as a burping pillow, and Delpapa is an active real estate investor.
Chris said he is looking forward to seeing Vivere bring CROSSNET to even more locations by tapping its vast retail network and expanding its impact further.
'It's not every day that a new sport is invented and takes off,' said Meade. 'It's a remarkable feeling that our game is having an impact and thousands of kids are going to school every day and playing it in their gym classes.'