New technology from startup ventures is transforming the global sports industry. This Startup Series has introduced over 200 startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience by allowing Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story and pitch their idea. Feel free to submit your startup’s answers to the below questions or contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for inclusion in this series.
Company name: Zipwhip
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
1. What is your elevator pitch?
Zipwhip enables businesses to send and receive text messages from their existing landline, VoIP and toll free phone numbers. Zipwhip allows team’s sales and service departments to communicate with fans over the medium most people prefer: texting.
2. Problem & Solution
Sports sales and service departments are always looking for new ways to engage their fans. Too often we hear about the difficulties these representatives have trying to reach clients who ignore their phone calls and emails. Furthermore, there is a growing number of people that want to text questions and comments, but most teams don’t offer a texting solution.
Sales and service members all have landline phone numbers and now Zipwhip is giving those reps another touch point for season ticket renewal and relationship building efforts. By having reps use their existing business phone number for texting, Zipwhip allows for text conversations to live with the team, rather than on the individual’s personal cell phone number.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
Zipwhip works with the sales and service departments for teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and NCAA. We serve many different industries, including auto dealerships, staffing companies, dentist offices, insurance agencies, and more! Our market is any business that uses a landline or toll free phone number in the US and Canada.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
We offer 3 monthly subscription packages depending on the level of functionality you require.
5. Management Team – with titles
John Lauer, CEO
John Larson, CMO
Anthony Riemma, EVP Product
6. Anything else you want the audience to know about your venture?
Zipwhip supports any Internet browser. We also offer a desktop application, iOS and Android mobile apps, and a Chrome browser extension to help you always stay connected.
If you’re an investor, startup founder or influencer, we recommend you check out ProInfluence, a platform that is uniting sports entrepreneurs and leaders to form mutually beneficial business partnerships.