WACO, Texas – Baylor Athletics and LEARFIELD’s Baylor Bear Sports Properties announced today a new relationship with Startup Waco, a nonprofit organization supporting local entrepreneurs and now Baylor’s more than 500 student-athletes. Designed with an inclusion mindset, Startup Waco champions entrepreneurs of all types by breaking down traditional barriers, collaborating with like-minded institutions and filling gaps, specifically within the greater Waco community.
“Startup Waco was created as a resource for all entrepreneurs in our community to have an advocate and be able to tap into the many opportunities that are available to them” said Jon Passavant, CEO of Startup Waco. “We’re thrilled to be a partner of Baylor Athletics and to deliver value to their diverse and amazing group of student-athletes. We couldn’t be more excited to get to work and build something special together.”
As a proud partner of Baylor Athletics, Startup Waco offers distinct opportunities for student-athletes under its GXG™ program. In addition to creating NIL opportunities exclusively for Baylor student-athletes, it also delivers focused programming on entrepreneurship, accelerating new ventures, and maximizing personal branding on various platforms. Startup Waco also aligns with select companies to provide a suite of support services to student-athletes including Dallas-based Progage, a creative marketing and influencer agency, and Student-Athlete.co., the nation’s first fee-for-lesson solution that connects student-athletes with paid lesson opportunities.
“We are excited to sign Startup Waco as a sponsor of Baylor Athletics given the tremendous opportunities this partnership presents,” said Mack Rhoades, Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “We believe in the mission and vision of this organization and are excited for our 500+ student-athletes to have access to unique professional development opportunities beyond the field of play.”
Startup Waco’s sponsorship with the Bears includes a digital presence on BaylorBears.com, social media messaging and e-mail marketing.
“We’re proud to welcome Startup Waco into our corporate partner family associated with Baylor Athletics, and we know they’re an organization committed to doing good for the university as well as the greater Waco community,” said Matt Iazzetti, general manager for Baylor Bear Sports Properties, Baylor Athletics’ multimedia rightsholder and LEARFIELD’s locally based team. “We are honored that Startup Waco, with its philanthropic mission, strategically chose Baylor as an area for its brand expansion.”
For more information on Startup Waco and its programming, visit startupwaco.com.