Latest news with #PowerForward
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MoviePass Founder Stacy Spikes Headlines $100K Startup Competition at LA Tech Summit
"Power Forward" connects high-growth startups in $847B sports, entertainment and real estate tech markets with active investors LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Equity Angels — an entrepreneurial support organization dedicated to fostering fair access to opportunity — announced Power Forward, a tech investment summit launched in partnership with Twenty Five Ventures and Distinct Concierge. This inaugural event brings together high-potential startups and active investors in the rapidly expanding sports, entertainment and real estate technology markets. Stacy Spikes, founder of MoviePass and bestselling author of "Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider," will headline the July 14 event at the Fairmont Century Plaza. The summit features a $100,000 funding competition where selected startups compete for a Special Purpose Vehicle funded by Twenty Five Ventures and other participating investors. The event addresses a significant market opportunity: while sports tech, entertainment tech, and proptech represent an $847 billion combined market, less than 2% of venture funding reaches founders from underrepresented backgrounds in these high-growth categories. "The numbers are clear — these markets hold massive untapped potential. Power Forward gives us direct access to founders building the next wave of companies in areas where we're already investing," stated Maximillian Diez, General Partner at Twenty Five Ventures. Unlike traditional networking events, Power Forward operates as an interactive investment summit. Startup applicants undergo a rigorous selection process and pitch directly to a curated group of active investors and strategic partners. Companies already confirmed include PairGap, Reeku, Convierge, Chambr, Goby Homes, ARKI, Free Agent, Sengo, Rely, Kahlab, Breadcrumb and Wauvea. Participating companies represent three key categories: Sports Technology: Analytics platforms, fan engagement tools and athlete performance systems Entertainment Technology: Content creation platforms, distribution networks and audience monetization tools Real Estate Technology: Accessibility solutions, financing platforms, enhanced user experience and property management innovations "This isn't about checking boxes. It's about identifying the best investment opportunities in high growth markets. Through Power Forward, we're creating a vital ecosystem where incredible innovation from founders who traditionally haven't had access to capital are seen," remarked Katherine Winston and Kenya Burrell-VanWormer, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Equity Angels, in a joint statement. Beyond Spikes' keynote on building resilient companies in competitive markets, the summit features industry leaders including: Patrick Lee, Co-Founder of Rotten Tomatoes and Fanverse Thai Randolph, Co-Founder of HARTBEAT and Interim CEO of Rock the Bells Craig D'Cruze, COO of Inverted Ventures Simon Chen, CEO of Arrival Home Loans c. Craig Patterson, Award-Winning Filmmaker Ted Schilowitz, Technology Futurist Panel discussions will cover the $84 trillion wealth transfer reshaping investment patterns, the impact of AI on content creation and monetization, new approaches to homeownership accessibility and emerging opportunities in women's sports. Event Details What: Power Forward SummitWhen: July 14, 2025Where: Fairmont Century Plaza, Los AngelesFormat: Investor roundtables, main stage presentations, $100K funding competition The summit is invitation-only for investors and startups. Ecosystem partners may register at View original content: SOURCE Equity Angels Error 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
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Delta and the WNBA have redefined successful brand partnerships
'We transport people every day to do great things and every one of them has a story. Telling those stories builds real emotional connections with our customers.' So says Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer of Delta Air Lines, talking about one of the company's newest partnerships with the popular WNBA (viewership last season reached a 24-year high!) But this partnership is more than just your typical brand alliance—it's a signal of what modern collaborations can and should look like. It's a masterclass in a new kind of storytelling that fosters engagement and brand loyalty by focusing on shared values, authenticity and the power of human journeys. The partnership makes Delta the official airline of the WNBA—and, importantly, is a game-changing shift toward parity. Delta now provides charter flight access to all WNBA teams—a long-awaited perk that male players in the NBA have enjoyed for years. To celebrate the start of the 2025 season, Delta and the WNBA just debuted a powerful, highly entertaining video series called Power Forward. The series dives into the personal journeys of three standout, incredibly likable players—giving fans a sneak peek into their ascent to the top and their lives both on and off the court. From the start, Tillman approached the WNBA with the intention of shining a light on athletes whose narratives are often overlooked. 'When we first met,' said Tillman, of her meeting with the WNBA's Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison, 'we took a step back from the mechanics of negotiations and asked what each of our goals were.' Edison's focus was on gender equity and purpose. Tillman wanted to use Delta's brand equity to provide a platform for the women of the WNBA to amplify their stories, bringing more attention to the women, the game and the league. "Our organizations have the same values. That's where relationships are born,' said Tillman. 'We have to be purposeful and thoughtful in our partnerships,' said Edison. 'If we're not aligned, I don't care how much money you have. We're not going to do something together.' Delta's partnership with the WNBA isn't just about sports or travel. It's about connecting with customers through storytelling. 'It's not just about getting women of the WNBA from point A to point B,' says Tillman, 'but it's about sharing their journeys.' And it's why Power Forward works. The collaboration's first content campaign is a three-part video series featuring power forwards Breanna 'Stewie' Stewart of the New York Liberty, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks and Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm. The WNBA players featured in the series are real and multi-dimensional—athletes, activists, style icons, wives, mothers and sisters. The videos aren't just highlight reels—they're funny and emotional looks into the personal stories, challenges, triumphs and ambitions of these remarkable athletes. 'Most people don't relate to professional athletes when they're at the top of their game. Where they're relatable is on their journey,' said Tillman. From Brink's brother proudly declaring in the film, 'I'm really proud of what you haven't done yet,' to Ogwumike's sister describing her not just as a role model but a 'goal model,' these stories resonate far beyond the basketball court. 'When you watch men play sports, you watch the game,' said Shelly Zalis, co-host of the Power Forward premiere and founder of The Female Quotient. 'When you watch women play, you watch their stories.' The collaboration, and the Power Forward series, is an extension of how Delta sees its role in the lives of its customers: not just as a carrier, but as a connector of people and a creator of memories. While the airline is in the business of movement, it has now evolved that model outside the airport, bringing their famous lounge experience to venues like SXSW and the Consumer Electronics Show. 'Last year Delta went for the first time [to SXSW] and built the most unbelievable lounge experience,' said Tillman. 'Lines wrapped around the corner for 5 days straight because people wanted to get in.' This is especially important to younger consumers, Tillman shared. Delta's data shows Gen Z, in particular, is coming of age with a worldview shaped by economic uncertainty, COVID, and a desire for meaning. They are spending more—and earlier—than previous generations and they're choosing to invest in experiences rather than tangible goods. They want brands to show up with purpose and authenticity. Another way Delta is leaning into the GenX/Millennial consumer (still their largest consumer group) and appealing to GenZ (their largest source of future growth) is the Delta's SkyMiles Experiences program, which offers once-in-a-lifetime events that can be purchased only using loyalty points—from private styling sessions with Rachel Zoe to exclusive dance lessons with the Rockettes. These bi-weekly 'experiential drops' are curated for cultural relevance, and they routinely sell out within hours. The Delta-WNBA collaboration is a case study in what's possible when partnerships are built around real stories and shared purpose. Brands looking to emulate its success should consider the following: Delta As the WNBA enjoys record-breaking ratings, sponsorship growth and cultural momentum, Delta is positioned not just as a travel provider—but as a platform for change. 'We're not going to shut up and just dribble,' says Brink. 'We're going to come together and fight for what we believe in.' And that's what makes this partnership a model for the future. In an era where customers expect brands to reflect their values and tell real stories, Delta and the WNBA aren't just moving people—they're moving culture.
