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Key people at SportsHi.
SportsHi, now operating as Breakthru, provides a digital platform that connects high school students with educational, financial, and career opportunities, primarily focusing on student-athletes. The company's mobile application serves as a network, enabling students to discover scholarships, college programs, and professional pathways by leveraging their participation in high school sports. This approach aims to create a streamlined channel for students to explore post-secondary options and broader life skills.
The company was founded in 2017 by Alexander Miles, who serves as CEO, and Gean Martinez, the CTO. Their initial insight stemmed from a desire to replicate the process of connecting student-athletes from underserved communities with coaches and to foster greater engagement in high school sports. Their combined vision led to the development of a technology solution that addresses this need at scale.
Breakthru serves students, particularly those in grades 9-12 who participate in high school sports, helping them navigate opportunities beyond the athletic field. The company's long-term vision is to impact the lives of millions of students by expanding their access to essential resources, ultimately aspiring to become the definitive professional network for youth and collegiate sports.
Key people at SportsHi.
SportsHi is a social platform and app that connects high school students, particularly student-athletes from underserved communities, with educational, financial, and career opportunities through sports.[1][2][6] It serves high school and college students facing barriers like lack of access to scholarships, coaches, and networks, solving inequities in sports participation and higher education pathways by offering free scholarship matching, college coach connections, ambassador programs, and community building.[2][4][6] The company has shown growth momentum, including becoming the No. 2 most downloaded sports app in the US in 2021, partnerships with Gen-Z influencers and brands like TikTok stars and NBA players, and raising funds from accelerators like Techstars and StartEd.[2][4]
Founded around 2017-2018 in Brooklyn, New York, SportsHi employs about 32 people and focuses on EdTech tools like scholarship search, career guidance, and opportunity matching to boost sports engagement and send more youth to higher education.[1][2]
SportsHi was founded in 2017 (or 2018 per some records) by CEO Alexander Miles, an Australian ex-professional rugby player with expertise in product, growth, and revenue, and CTO Gean Martinez, a Latinx serial app builder.[1][2] The idea emerged from Miles and Martinez's vision to democratize sports opportunities, replicating connections for marginalized student-athletes that affluent peers receive through paid networks.[2][3] Early traction included accelerator backing from Techstars Global, Propellant Labs, and StartEd, plus rapid user growth leading to high app download rankings and scholarship campaigns.[2][4] A pivotal moment was their 2021 Women's Equality Day push, distributing tens of thousands in scholarships amid becoming the second-most downloaded sports app after ESPN.[4] Note: The company announced a rebrand to Breakthru and potential Baltimore move around this period, though its website remains active as SportsHi.[3]
SportsHi rides the EdTech and social sports trends, capitalizing on rising demand for equitable access amid declining high school sports participation, especially for girls (twice as likely to drop out at 14) and underserved groups.[4] Timing aligns with post-pandemic youth mental health focus, where sports boost academics and well-being, plus Gen-Z's social media habits—leveraging TikTok and influencers for viral growth.[1][4] Market forces like $133M+ scholarship funding gaps for women and edtech investments (e.g., via Techstars) favor it, positioning SportsHi to influence the ecosystem by normalizing free opportunity platforms and fostering school-level sports communities.[2][4][7] It contributes to broader shifts toward inclusive tech, blending sports, education, and social impact.
SportsHi's trajectory points to scaled scholarship distribution, deeper college partnerships, and ambassador network expansion, potentially evolving into a full career platform for athletes amid growing EdTech funding.[2][6] Trends like AI-driven matching, Web3 sports NFTs, and global youth sports initiatives (e.g., similar programs in Bangladesh) could amplify its reach, though rebranding to Breakthru signals adaptation to new markets.[3][9] Its influence may grow by setting standards for mission-aligned, influencer-powered EdTech, ultimately sending more diverse students to higher ed and professional sports. This community-first approach, born from founders' sports passion, positions it to sustain momentum in an opportunity-starved landscape.[1][2]
