Arrington, fueled with entrepreneurial spirit, co-founds youth sports training start-up

Amir Arrington is balancing his time as a Division I basketball player at George Washington University and the founder of a new startup. Along with his co-founder Zachary Burns, Arrington recently launched AthLead Network. This digital platform aims to fix the fragmented youth sports training market. The app allows parents and athletes to find, vet, and book trainers or facilities based on location, sport, and pricing.

The idea for AthLead came from the pair's own frustrations while growing up as athletes in Atlanta. They encountered unreliable coaches and a lack of transparency in pricing. With the goal of creating a more direct connection, they developed the software to bridge the gap between families looking for coaching and verified professional trainers. The platform launched on the Apple App Store this past May.

Since the launch, the duo has faced practical business hurdles common to early-stage founders. They received feedback regarding trainer retention and restrictive facility contracts. These obstacles led them to update their business model to include subscription options for athletic facilities. This shift allows the app to serve both individual independent trainers and larger training centers.

Arrington credits his background as a student in the School of Business and his participation in the Posse Scholar program for helping him navigate these challenges. He has leveraged connections within his university and athletic circles to secure advice from experienced professionals in the D.C. area. While the business is currently focused on the Atlanta market, Arrington and Burns plan to expand their reach to Arizona and Washington, D.C., in the near future.