Amanda Knapp
GRIND Basketball is a company that makes basketball shooting machines, founded by Thomas Fields, a former hooper who wanted to bridge the gap between sports and tech for underserved communities. After facing rejection from early investors, Fields worked odd jobs and saved up $25,000 to build the first prototype in his garage. GRIND gained traction when Fields appeared on Shark Tank, securing a $250,000 investment from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran. As of late 2021, GRIND has logged over $1 million in pre-orders and is on track to raise $1.6 million in funding. The GRIND Machine is the world's first portable basketball shooting machine, allowing players to get up to 1,000 shots per hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Thomas Fields |
| Age of founder | 26 years old |
| Funding | $250,000 |
| Investors | Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran |
| Equity Stake | 25% |
| Pre-orders | Over $1 million |
| Funding to date | $1.6 million |
| Weight | 110 pounds |
| Shots per hour | 1,000 |
| Set up and take down time | 90 seconds |
| Net height | 12 feet |
| Power source | U.S.-standard electrical outlet |
| Price | $1,500 |
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What You'll Learn
GRIND's mission and impact
GRIND is a basketball shooting machine designed to help athletes perfect their shots. The brainchild of Thomas Fields, a former athlete who suffered four ACL injuries, GRIND is the world's first portable basketball shooting machine, allowing users to get up to 1,000 shots an hour. The machine, which weighs 110 pounds, is easy to transport and set up, and can be used anywhere with access to a power outlet. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
Fields' mission with GRIND is to use sports to funnel 100 million kids into high-paying STEM careers by 2030. He aims to bridge the gap between sports and technology, making sports more accessible to underserved communities. Fields' journey with GRIND began when he decided to build his own shooting machine after facing challenges accessing expensive equipment and pro-trainers during his recovery. Recognizing the limitations of software in improving athletic performance, Fields set out to create a hardware solution that would revolutionize basketball training.
GRIND has gained significant traction and support since its inception. Fields successfully pitched his idea on the game show Shark Tank, securing \$250,000 in funding from investors Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran. As of late December 2021, the company has logged over a million dollars in pre-orders. GRIND was also selected to participate in the Techstars Sports Accelerator program, enabling them to raise a total of \$1.6 million in funding. The product has received positive reviews from customers who have noticed improvements in their shooting skills and appreciate its convenience and efficiency.
The impact of GRIND extends beyond its users to the broader basketball community. The company has landed an NBA team deal with the San Antonio Spurs, who utilize the machine in their youth camps. GRIND's innovative technology and accessibility have the potential to transform how athletes, especially those from underserved communities, train and develop their basketball skills. By combining sports and technology, GRIND is not just a shooting machine but a catalyst for empowering young athletes and fostering a culture that celebrates both athletic excellence and technological innovation.
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Investment from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran
Thomas Fields, the creator of GRIND, pitched his idea to investors on the game show Shark Tank. Fields asked for $250,000 in funding in exchange for a 5% return for investors. Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran, along with other investors, offered Fields the full $250,000 he was seeking, but for a 25% equity stake in the company.
Fields' pitch was successful, and he secured the investment from Cuban and Corcoran, who both expressed belief in Fields as an entrepreneur and in the product. Fields' appearance on Shark Tank also led to other opportunities, such as participation in the Indianapolis-based Techstars Sports Accelerator program, which enabled him to network with sports technology investors. As a result of these combined efforts, GRIND has raised a total of $1.6 million in funding as of 2022.
GRIND is a basketball shooting machine designed for usage anywhere. It is the first portable basketball shooting machine, allowing users to get up to 1,000 shots an hour with efficient training anywhere. The machine weighs 110 pounds, making it 54% lighter than other home shooting machines, and can be set up and taken down within 90 seconds. It also has two wheels for easy transportation and storage.
The investment from Cuban and Corcoran has helped GRIND gain traction and credibility, with the company logging over $1 million in pre-orders as of December 2021. The firm expects to fulfil upwards of 80% of those orders by the end of 2022. GRIND has also landed an NBA team deal with the San Antonio Spurs, who use the machine for their youth camps.
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Shark Tank appearance
Thomas Fields, the founder of GRIND, appeared on ABC's Shark Tank in 2020 to pitch his basketball shooting machine. Fields, a former NBA hopeful, founded GRIND in March 2020 after his Division 1 basketball career was cut short by multiple injuries. He sought $250,000 for 5% equity in his company, valuing it at $5 million. During his pitch, Fields demonstrated the product by inviting Mark Cuban to try it out. It took Cuban four attempts to make a shot.
Fields' appearance on Shark Tank led to a deal with Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban, who offered $250,000 for 25% equity. The episode's airing significantly boosted sales and the company saw substantial growth. Following their Shark Tank appearance, GRIND launched a new line of merchandise, including printed T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts. The company has been featured in numerous media publications, including CNBC, Forbes, Techstars, The Hustle, and Business Journal. Thomas Fields was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for 2022.
As of February 2023, GRIND raised $1.6 million in additional seed funding, overcame supply chain issues, and began shipping orders "on demand." The company is now on track to have raised a total of $1.6 million in funding since Fields' pitch on Shark Tank. The rebounder has gone up in price since its appearance on Shark Tank, retailing for $1,995, with a production cost of $977. GRIND has sold $215,000 worth of their shooting machines in pre-sales in just five months.
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Techstars Sports Accelerator program
The Techstars Sports Accelerator program is a three-month mentorship-driven accelerator program that helps entrepreneurs find product-market fit, get traction, and access capital and mentorship. The program is known for its small class sizes and world-class network, which has proven to be a successful model for founders. The Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy has included startups such as SuperQuickQuestion (SQQ), a live meet-and-greet platform for athletes, teams, and celebrities to connect with fans; BodyPro, an AI-driven athletic performance platform; and Tzuka, a company producing tough workout earbuds with a unique phone-free listening feature.
The 2024 Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy kicked off in September 2024 in Indianapolis. Over the course of 13 weeks, the program works to help founders better understand their customers, refine their go-to-market strategy, and remove key obstacles in their path. This includes building muscle memory through KPI development and aggressive goal setting, introducing new partners and potential key hires, and preparing for Demo Day and likely Seed/Series A fundraisings. The Techstars Sports Accelerator has a vast network of nearly 250 mentors from the sports industry.
GRIND Basketball, founded by an individual named Fields, participated in the Indianapolis-based Techstars Sports Accelerator program after Fields' successful pitch on Shark Tank. Fields initially sought $250,000 in funding with a 5% return to investors, but ultimately accepted an offer from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran for the original investment amount with a 25% equity stake. The investment allowed GRIND to move forward, and as of late December 2021, the company had logged over a million dollars in pre-orders. GRIND's participation in the Techstars Sports Accelerator program enabled further networking with sports technology investors, contributing to the company's total funding raise of $1.6 million.
Applications for the Fall 2025 Techstars Accelerators programs, including the Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy, opened on April 8 and closed on June 11. The program locations for 2025 include Amsterdam, Netherlands; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Chicago, United States; Baltimore, United States; and Birmingham, Alabama.
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Customer reviews
On the other hand, some customers have left negative reviews, with one user calling the game "unbalanced and way too grindy." They explain that, despite having a team with exceptional and all-star players and a high evaluation rating, they consistently lose to weaker opponents. This user feels that the more they train their team, "the worse the matches go."
Another negative review comes from a customer who finds the game unsatisfying due to the lack of certain features that would add to the fun, such as the ability to use auras for training. This reviewer also mentions that other Kairosoft games, like the soccer and racing games, offer more satisfaction and logical progression.
The Tanager Sports app, which provides live coverage of the official international Grind Session High School Prep Basketball Circuit, has received more positive reviews overall. Customers appreciate the exclusive content and the ability to keep up with their favorite team's stats, highlights, and live game tracking.
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Frequently asked questions
GRIND Basketball is a company that makes basketball shooting machines.
The company was created by Thomas Fields, a former hooper who wanted to bridge sports and tech for underserved communities. After four ACL surgeries, no access to expensive shooting machines or pro trainers, and $25,000 in savings, he decided to build his own machine.
After appearing on Shark Tank, GRIND Basketball secured investments from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran, who took a 25% equity stake in the company for \$250,000. As of late 2021, the firm has logged over $1 million in pre-orders.
The GRIND Machine is the world's first portable basketball shooting machine. It weighs 110 pounds, can be set up and taken down within 90 seconds, and allows users to get up to 1,000 shots an hour.
