Lizness School S2E15: Jim Chi, Shark Tank + Oregon Sports Angels
Mar 5, 2026
Jim Chi, President of Oregon Sports Angels and former product management/global sourcing leader, talks mentoring and investing in sports and materials startups. He discusses moving from corporate life to advising founders. Hear the behind-the-scenes vibe of two college founders heading to Shark Tank and why materials tech and never-untie shoelaces matter. Plus tips on mentoring across generations.
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Post Corporate Life Can Be Intentionally Diverse
- Jim Chi realized a linear corporate climb wouldn't deliver the fulfillment he wanted and intentionally diversified his post-corporate life into advising and investing.
- His privilege of choice, rooted in corporate experience, let him test advising, find he enjoyed it, and then lean in over years.
Advising Requires Breadth Not Just Depth
- Advising founders requires breadth across functions rather than deep narrow expertise because early-stage startups face many unknowns.
- Jim asks founders high-level sourcing and supply-chain questions to reveal future speed bumps founders might not yet anticipate.
College Founders Launched Material Tech With Shoelaces
- Brace, founded by Michigan State seniors Tanvi Gadamsetti and Madhav Aggarwal, built a patented ultra-strong material and launched with shoelaces that never come untied.
- They used the consumer shoelace as a simple proof-of-concept while targeting heavier industrial and healthcare applications.
