Latest news with #ChrisMeade
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Fast-Growing Backyard Games Pioneer CROSSNET Gets Acquired
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.'
Finextra
30-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Blue Ocean Technologies selects Eventus for trade surveillance
Eventus, a leading provider of comprehensive, at-scale trade surveillance and financial risk solutions, and Blue Ocean Technologies, a capital markets fintech leader in global trading and data, announced that Blue Ocean ATS has selected Eventus' Validus platform as its trade surveillance solution. 0 Blue Ocean ATS Chief Compliance Officer Chris Meade said: 'As the first after-hours trading platform to round out the 24-hour equities market, our mission is to continue providing subscribers an efficient marketplace to help them manage risk. To support our ongoing expansion, we rely on robust tools, effective safeguards, clear policies and strong surveillance measures, all critical elements of our ongoing risk controls and success. 'Selecting the Validus solution will significantly increase our ability to monitor activity on the Blue Ocean ATS platform as a result of its comprehensive surveillance features and processes. Our ability to view what we need in a centralized, flexible and scalable fashion through Validus is essential functionality that serves our evolving and growing business.' Eventus CEO Travis Schwab said: 'As the equities market increasingly moves toward a 24/5 model, we are uniquely positioned as the leader in the trade surveillance space to support marketplaces and market participants in this important evolution. We're thrilled that Blue Ocean - which has forged a new path as a first mover for subscribers to experience reliability, transparency and best execution in the after-hours session - has chosen to rely on our firm for protecting the integrity of its markets.' The Validus platform was selected by Blue Ocean Technologies as a strategic choice for not only meeting its trade surveillance requirements but also for its effectiveness in handling large volumes of data and driving more meaningful analysis - enhancing reporting across operations and enabling longer-term data-driven decision making. Eventus has been a leader in providing award-winning trade surveillance solutions for multiple asset classes, including equities and the 24/7 digital asset market. In a recent article, Trade Surveillance After Hours: Preparing for 24/5 Equities Trading, Martina Rejsjo, Eventus Vice President, Product Management, pointed out that surveilling a 24/5 market requires new thresholds, procedures, staffing models and more - and surveillance systems must be adaptable to meet these challenges.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IMG Academy Announces Acquisition of College Recruiting Service SportsRecruits
SportsRecruits Joins NCSA College Recruiting as IMG Academy Services Aimed at Helping Student-Athletes and Coaches Navigate the Evolving College Sports Recruiting Landscape BRADENTON, Fla., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, today announced the acquisition of SportsRecruits, a college sports recruiting service with specialized products for families, club and high school teams, college coaches and event operators. The acquisition brings SportsRecruits alongside IMG Academy's NCSA College Recruiting to create an even more robust college sports recruiting network to help student-athletes and their families navigate the ever-evolving college sports landscape. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for IMG Academy as it continues to expand its reach, with ambition to provide world-class IMG Academy experiences to any student-athlete who believes in the power of sport as a platform for life. With its vision in mind, in addition to the SportsRecruits acquisition, IMG Academy has recently launched a variety of new on-campus and online experiences. On-campus IMG Academy has announced new sports, including softball, and girls and boys volleyball. Online, IMG Academy launched IMG Academy+ Essentials, a low-cost digital product with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance. And as a first-of-its kind hybrid experience, combining campus and online experiences, IMG Academy recently announced IMG Academy Elevate, a new product aimed at providing elements of IMG Academy's holistic personal development curriculum to school partners globally. 'Our responsibility is to prepare student-athletes for all aspects of college and life, and to positively impact as many lives as we possibly can,' said Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy. 'The evolving opportunities for student-athletes create a new obligation to teach, support and prepare our families to meet the moment. Through our existing products and services, and now with SportsRecruits, we are helping student-athletes realize their dreams and enjoy the benefits that come from continuing their academic and athletic careers in college.' 'We've always been committed to empowering student-athletes and their families,' said Chris Meade, co-founder and CEO of SportsRecruits. 'Partnering with IMG Academy amplifies our ability to deliver top-notch resources and opportunities to student-athletes everywhere. The combined strength of our networks and technology will redefine the recruiting landscape for the better.' 'The value of a college roster spot is growing and so too is the need for college sports recruiting,' added Rick McDole, COO of IMG Academy Online. 'NCSA and SportsRecruits creates a holistic, best-in-class solution for student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators. Our complementary strengths will more effectively connect student-athletes with college coaches and help student-athletes and their families find the right college fit.' About IMG AcademyIMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences: Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla. Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches. To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit CONTACT: Contact Mike Lovecchio in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
