The Profluence Pod 🌐

Akshat Prakash is the CTO of Camb.ai, an AI-driven company revolutionizing language accessibility. With a background in AI from Carnegie Mellon and experience at Apple AI, Ack is at the forefront of innovation, helping enterprises and creators reach global audiences.Camb.ai’s proprietary models, MARS & BOLI, have been leveraged by sports leagues, filmmakers, and content creators to seamlessly adapt content across languages. Their mission is to ensure that ideas and opportunities are accessible to everyone, regardless of language barriers.With AI rapidly transforming sports, media, and education, Ack brings valuable insights into emerging trends, talent scouting in tech, and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.Chapters: 02:37 - The Evolution of AI in Sports and Education 05:26 - Scouting Young Talent in Coding 08:27 - The Business of Sports Tech and AI 11:01 - Expanding Beyond Sports: Opportunities in Media and Education 13:34 - Navigating B2B and B2C Markets 16:24 - Emerging Trends in AI and Language Models 19:20 - The Future of AI: Towards Super IntelligenceAkshat Prakash:🏠 Website: https://www.camb.ai/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat-prakash/Andrew Petcash: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “subscribe” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Ryan Weldon, the founder of 13th Bridge Games Studio, is a life-long gamer and sports fanatic with an extensive background in marketing, sales, and management. He previously served in high-level roles at Bausch Health and Johnson & Johnson, overseeing multi-billion dollar transactions. Ryan also worked as a consultant for major brands like Nike, bringing his expertise in sports marketing and brand building to the table. His passion for both gaming and sports led him to create 13th Bridge Games Studio, a company focused on revolutionizing the sports gaming experience.13th Bridge Games Studio’s flagship product, Run The Court, is an arcade-style basketball battler designed for mobile devices. The game allows players to engage in 1v1 and 2v2 tournaments, inspired by the excitement of March Madness. With this mobile-first approach, Ryan and his team are offering a fresh and engaging experience for the next generation of gamers, blending competitive basketball with the convenience of mobile play.An interesting fact about 13th Bridge is that their game Run The Court not only captures the excitement of basketball tournaments but also includes a unique blend of real-life athletes and fictional elements, creating a dynamic experience that appeals to both sports fans and mobile gamers alike. As mobile gaming continues to rise in popularity, 13th Bridge is poised to make a significant impact in the world of sports gaming.Chapters: (1:09) - How 13th Bridge Came to Life(4:34) - Trends in Mobile Gaming and Gen Z(9:48) - The Evolution of March Madness and College Sports(13:26) - Game and Athlete Affiliation: Blending Fiction with Real Life(19:08) - Overcoming Challenges in the Gaming Industry(23:13) - Community and Fan EngagementRyan Weldon:🏠 Website: https://www.13thbridge.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanweldon/Andrew Petcash: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Max Ade, Co-Founder of Pickleheads, is leading the charge in solving one of the biggest challenges facing the fastest-growing sport in America — pickleball. With 36.5 million players and counting, the sport’s rapid rise has created a surge in court shortages, long wait times, and overwhelmed organizers.To tackle these issues, Max and his team built Pickleheads, a platform that helps players connect, find local games, and organize matches seamlessly. With over 377,200 members and a recent $2.5 million seed round, Pickleheads is scaling rapidly as the digital home for pickleball players.Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated competitor, Pickleheads is helping players nationwide find their community, improve their game, and stay connected to the sport they love.Chapters:2:30 - The Growth of Pickleball and Market Insights5:00 - Building a Community and Customer Acquisition Strategy7:42 - Understanding the Pickleball Market and Participation Trends10:15 - The Social Aspect of Pickleball and Its Unique Appeal12:53 - Navigating Growth and Capital Raising for Pickleball15:44 - Adapting to Skill Levels and Player Needs18:26 - Future Vision and Trends in Pickleball20:45 - Learning from Other Sports and CompaniesMax Ade:🏠 Website: https://www.pickleheads.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adesome/Andrew Petcash:🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts. Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Keith Stein, CEO of the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball team, is making waves in sports by spearheading the return of professional women’s baseball — the first league of its kind in North America since the 1950s. The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is set to debut in 2025, with six teams playing in intimate ballparks and plans for a national broadcast deal.Keith’s journey into baseball was inspired by his collaboration with Justine Siegal, a trailblazer in the sport and the first woman to pitch to an MLB team and coach a professional men's team. Together, they’re driving a movement to create a long-overdue platform for women in baseball.The WPBL has already attracted over 800 of the world’s best players, drawing media coverage from CBS, The New York Times, and even Saturday Night Live — a testament to the league’s cultural impact and momentum.Chapters: 1:13 - The Vision Behind the League 3:50 - Understanding the Game Structure 7:09 - Business Insights and Experiences 10:53 - Ownership Models and Strategies 16:12 - Real Estate and Infrastructure Needs 18:29 - Leveraging Celebrity Influence 22:12 - Compensation and Player Opportunities 24:49 - Personal Growth and LearningKeith Stein: Website: https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensprobaseballleague/Scott GarberWebsite: https://profluence.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

Elite 7 Sports Medicine is redefining athlete care by providing innovative, on-site medical services at sports events nationwide. With a team of experts boasting over 100 years of combined experience, Elite 7 ensures athletes receive seamless, sport-specific treatment—whether competing, recovering, or returning home.Kelly Morgan, CEO and Medical Director, is an emergency physician and former athlete dedicated to improving access to high-quality sports medicine. With experience as an athletic trainer for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, medical director for USA Taekwondo, and a leader in emergency medical services, she is breaking barriers in both sports and healthcare.From filling critical gaps in athlete care to building a business that prioritizes safety and accessibility, Kelly shares her entrepreneurial journey and vision for the future of sports medicine.Chapters: 1:09 - Introduction to Elite 7 Sports Medicine 4:06 - The Origin Story of Kelly and Elite 7 Sports Medicine 8:49 - Addressing Gaps in Athletic Care 13:37 - Proactive Approaches to Injury Prevention 18:00 - The Entrepreneurial Journey in Sports Medicine 22:47 - The Vision for the Future of Athletic CareDr. Kelly Morgan: 🏠 Website: https://www.e7sportsmedicine.com/team-1 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-buchanan-morgan-md-atc-r-8ab59840/Scott Garber: 🏠 Website: https://profluence.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.

Lucra Sports is redefining gamification in sports, entertainment, and media. As a venture-backed startup, Lucra provides innovative engagement solutions for consumer platforms, live events, and media companies, transforming the way fans interact with their favorite sports.Michael, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, brings a wealth of experience from Goldman Sachs, where he worked in investment banking and corporate strategy. He played a key role in launching GS Accelerate, the firm’s global incubator, and has a strong background in scaling startups and driving business growth.Lucra has raised over $25 million to revolutionize social betting and fan engagement, positioning itself at the forefront of the rapidly evolving sports tech landscape.Chapters:5:51 - Fundraising Insights and Strategies11:12 - Product Evolution and User Engagement14:30 - Industry Trends in Fan Engagement25:09 - Entity Structure and Investor Preferences27:08 - Team Growth: Full-time vs. Fractional Employees32:04 - Partnership Development and Networking38:10 - Pricing Strategies and Market PositioningMichael Madding: 🏠 Website: https://www.lucrasports.com/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-madding-13ba9522/Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber: Website: https://profluence.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcashLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/;  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgarber40/

This month’s panel explored the rapidly evolving landscape of racquet sports, highlighting key investment trends, technological advancements, and the growing influence of community-driven initiatives. As racquet sports like padel, pickleball, and tennis continue to surge in popularity, industry leaders are shaping the future with innovative strategies and bold investments.Key topics included the rise of padel and its investment potential, technological innovations in racquet sports, the role of community and social engagement, market trends, and the revitalization of sports infrastructure.The panel featured insights from:🎙️ CiCi Bellis – Former Professional Tennis Player🎙️ Robyn Duda – Co-founder, RacquetX🎙️ Marcus Jansson-Ryan – CEO, EEP Capital Chapters:6:02 - The Rise of Padel and Investment Opportunities8:58 - Technological Advances in Racquet Sports12:12 - Community and Social Aspects of Racquet Sports14:52 - Market Trends and Brand Collaboration21:15 - Public Access and Local Government Involvement27:39 - Revitalizing Racquet Sports Infrastructure33:09 - Exploring Emerging Racquet Sports39:05 - Investment Trends in Racquet Sports46:04 - Innovations in Racquet Sports Technology48:06 - Global Perspectives on Racquet Sports Adoption🔗 Connect with the Panelists:CiCi Bellis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cici-bellis-750926182/Robyn Duda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynduda/Marcus Jansson-Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jansson-ryanmarcus/🎙️ Hosts:Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber🏠 Website: https://profluence.com🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn: Andrew Petcash | Scott GarberThanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to hit “follow” to stay updated on future podcasts.

Brent Richard, CEO of IMG Academy and former leader at Endeavor, shares his insights on the future of sports education. He discusses IMG Academy's transition to a global sports powerhouse, making its life-changing experiences accessible to student-athletes worldwide. Brent delves into the impact of NIL rights on young athletes, the surge of investment in youth sports, and how AI is reshaping education. He also highlights the advancements in women's sports, emphasizing the importance of female coaches and the supportive environments for young female athletes.

Dan Banon, CEO of Balltime, a pioneering volleyball AI platform, and Tarryn Moss from Hudl, dive into the groundbreaking acquisition of Balltime by Hudl. They discuss how Balltime automates player stats and performance analysis, revolutionizing volleyball coaching. The conversation highlights the importance of community in volleyball innovation and the complexities of navigating sports tech acquisitions. With Hudl’s powerful integration, the future is bright for enhancing athlete development and performance analytics through advanced technology.

Brandon McCaghren is a pioneer in the Jiu-Jitsu world, being the first to introduce the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system in the Southeastern United States. A well-respected instructor and content creator, Brandon has built a significant online following, with over 150,000 subscribers on both YouTube and Instagram. His influence extends beyond coaching—he’s a color commentator for major Jiu-Jitsu promotions, including ADCC, EBI, and CJJ.As the creator of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), Brandon is transforming Jiu-Jitsu into a structured league, bringing a new level of organization and entertainment to the sport. His mission is to blend professionalism with high-level grappling, creating a competitive ecosystem that appeals to both athletes and fans alike.Beyond his impact on the competition scene, Brandon runs 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Decatur, an academy recognized as one of the best in the 10th Planet system. He’s also a sought-after seminar instructor, sharing his knowledge with practitioners worldwide.Chapters:(01:00) - The Birth of the Professional Grappling Federation(08:12) - Storytelling in Combat Sports(12:34) - The Global Expansion & Popularity of Jiu-Jitsu(15:30) - Educating Newcomers to Jiu-Jitsu(20:08) - The Pipeline of Jiu-Jitsu Athletes(22:49) - Understanding the Family of Combat Sports(24:54) - The Practicality of Jiu-Jitsu in Real Life(26:46) - Future Trends & Opportunities in Jiu-JitsuBrandon McCaghren:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-mccaghren-55568332/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7VU0Cnef4AhQk7Pe_9nTAAndrew Petcash:🏠 Website:https://profluence.com🐣 Twitter:https://twitter.com/andrewpetcash💼 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetcash/Thanks for listening! Hit the “follow” button to stay updated on new podcasts.