<p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">What product or service does Altura Lacrosse Series offer?</span><br> </b>Altura Lacrosse Series offers a reimagined youth sports tournament experience that combines elite lacrosse competition with mentorship, skill-building workshops, recruiting education, and leadership development. Our mission is to make tournaments more meaningful, affordable, and accessible for athletes, coaches, and families.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">How did you come up with the idea for this business?</span><br> </b>The idea came from my own experience as a lifelong athlete and coach. I saw how many tournaments focused solely on competition, ignoring player growth, mentorship, and education. Seeing the need, I wanted to create the kind of event that helps athletes not just play better, but become stronger leaders and more confident individuals.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">Why did you decide to participate in the HI Hub Incubator program?</span><br> </b>I joined the HI Hub Incubator to gain structured mentorship and support in scaling Altura Lacrosse Series. The program’s focus on innovation and community impact aligns with my goal to have a strong impact on the youth sports industry.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">What do you enjoy most about creating your own startup?</span><br> </b>In both event planning and startup creation, I’m drawn to the same core elements. I love the creative freedom and problem-solving that come with building something from the ground up. The concept of having a vision and doing everything I can to bring it to life is very enticing to me.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">What advice would you give to someone contemplating founding a startup?</span><br> </b>Your startup needs to be something you’re truly passionate about. For me, sports have shaped my entire life, from childhood through college, and I owe so much to the lacrosse community. Ask yourself, what’s the one topic you could talk about endlessly every single day? Then, figure out what problem you can solve within that space. When you are genuinely excited by what you are creating, the drive to create it will come easily.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">What is something you hope to learn through this process?</span><br> </b>Through this process, I hope to learn how to effectively scale my service-based concept beyond its initial stages. I want to understand how to grow while maintaining quality and impact. Most importantly, I hope to gain insight into how to authentically and sustainably reach and connect with my target audience.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">What does the future of your startup look like in an ideal world?</span><br> </b>In an ideal world, Altura Lacrosse Series becomes a national platform, hosting events across multiple states, partnering with colleges and sports brands, and empowering thousands of young athletes to grow both on and off the field.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body"><b><span class="p-body-large-bold">Have you worked with any alumni or mentors on this project? If so, who, and what was that experience like?</span><br> </b>With his experience in global delivery, business strategy, and solution development, Ken Beckwith has been a critical mentor for me. He has offered invaluable guidance on scalability, operations, and leadership skills in the workplace.</span></p>