Foot Locker invests 3 million USD in Super Heroic Inc

Athletic retailer Foot Locker has announced a strategic investment in Super Heroic Inc, a startup selling sportswear for kids. Super Heroic was founded in 2016 by two former Nike executives: Jason Mayden, who served as Lead Designer for the Jordan brand, and Harshal Sisodia, former Global Digital Brand Director. Foot Locker invested 3 million US dollars to get a minority stake in the business and serve as board adviser, bringing the total raised by Super Heroic since its foundation to 10 million dollars. Additionally, Foot Locker will be the first brick and mortar retailer to carry Super Heroic’s products in the US.

"This partnership marks an important milestone for Super Heroic and validates the significant progress we have made since our founding just over two years ago”, said Mayden, who serves as Super Heroic’s CEO, in a statement. He added that the startup will benefit from Foot Locker’s “unparalleled expertise in the footwear and apparel markets as we seek to elevate our brand to the next level”.

Children's sportswear startup gets a boost from Foot Locker

“We are excited to partner with Super Heroic, a company that shares our deep commitment to empowering children through innovative athletic products", added Richard Johnson, Foot Locker’s Chairman and CEO. “Giving kids the tools to be active is in our DNA. Having our two companies come together to empower kids to play has the potential to be game changing".

Super Heroic aims to encourage children to be more active by developing high-performance footwear and apparel specifically aimed at kids. “A new uniform of play”, as the company defines. In an interview with Fast Company in 2014, right after leaving Nike, Mayden said his overweight son’s issues with body image inspired him to do something about child obesity.

Photos: courtesy of the brand