Trio of KC companies join roster for first-ever sports-wellness tech pilot at Keystone 

A weeklong sports and wellness tech cohort is set to launch in mid-November — drawing hometown innovators, as well as founders from the Midwest, South and West Coast for an initiative designed to help high-growth companies bring new technologies to market, faster.

The inaugural Sports & Wellness Tech Scale Up pilot — led by Endeavor Heartland and Keystone Community Corporation — focuses on founders working across sports technology, athlete performance, wellness, fan engagement and venue innovation, organizers said.

“What makes this program unique is that we’re tailoring the experience to the specific needs and growth opportunities of each company,” said Craig Moore, senior manager of entrepreneur experience at Endeavor Heartland.

The pilot program debuts Nov. 9 in Kansas City, culminating in a demo day Nov. 12 at the College Basketball Experience near T-Mobile Center, where participating founders will showcase their companies, share their visions for growth and connect with investors, industry leaders and members of the regional entrepreneurial community.

The event will offer attendees an opportunity to discover emerging technologies shaping the future of sports and wellness while building connections with the entrepreneurs behind them, he added. 

“Beyond the workshops and mentorship, we want to connect these founders with the people and organizations that can help move their businesses forward,” Moore said. “Kansas City has a strong entrepreneurial community and a growing sports ecosystem, and we’re excited to help these companies build meaningful relationships, explore new partnerships and create opportunities for long-term growth.” 

The six companies selected for the inaugural cohort include: 

• WVN (James Chester), Nashville, Tennessee — Uses artificial intelligence and real-time data to measure how people interact with live experiences, from sporting events and brand activations to entertainment venues. Its platform helps organizations understand audience engagement, evaluate sponsorship performance and make more informed decisions about their events. 
• EB Systems (Jonathan Ruiz, Brendan Waters), Kansas City, Missouri — Develops Bluetooth-based technology that measures crowd movement, attendance and engagement at major events and public spaces. Its technology has been used at marathons, sporting events and brand activations, helping organizers better understand visitor behavior, improve operations and measure event performance. 
• Headquarters Health (Orestis Skoutellas), San Francisco — Transforming concussion care by combining virtual access to medical specialists with AI-powered tools and personalized recovery plans. Its platform helps athletes, families and athletic trainers navigate concussion treatment, monitor symptoms and manage a safe return to school and sports. 
• Myndset (Craig Mason), Kansas City, Missouri — An AI-powered mental performance coaching platform that helps athletes and other high performers build confidence, resilience and focus under pressure. Through short, daily training exercises and personalized coaching, the app helps users strengthen their mental skills and respond more effectively in high-stakes situations.
• Ballin AI (Nyla Pollard), Tulsa, Oklahoma — Uses artificial intelligence and basketball performance data to improve how athletes are evaluated, recruited and developed. Built by former Division I basketball players, the platform provides coaches with scouting reports, recruiting insights and player evaluations while helping athletes better understand their strengths and identify opportunities to advance their careers. 
• Duesy (Tony Caudill), Kansas City, Missouri — An AI-powered platform designed to simplify the business of youth sports tournaments. By combining digital ticketing, attendance data and operational tools, Duesy helps tournament organizers manage events more efficiently, identify new revenue opportunities and create a better experience for participating teams and families. 

The partnership between Endeavor Heartland and Keystone Community Corporation gives participating founders a chance to build relationships with Kansas City’s sports and business leaders, explore new opportunities and gain a foothold in the region’s growing sports and wellness industry, organizers said. 

Endeavor Heartland is part of Bentonville, Arkansas-based Endeavor, a global organization that supports high-impact entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses and driving economic growth. The local office — headquartered from within Keystone CoLab in Kansas City — serves founders across Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, providing mentorship, strategic connections, and access to capital.