Overview
- Rippey’s agreement includes a modest five-figure payment and a sub-1% equity stake that vests over multiple years, with an option to extend past his Duke tenure.
- He will promote the brand through social media, merchandise and fan activations, including photo and video shoots, with campaigns planned for the 2026 season.
- Ripi’s products are already in Whole Foods nationwide and are slated to roll out to more than 1,100 Target stores this spring.
- The early-stage company has raised about $1.5 million, is seeking roughly $2 million more, and projects revenue to rise from about $350,000 in 2025 to $6.5 million in 2026.
- Industry voices describe equity for a high-school athlete as rare, and the deal was aided by founder Ian Tecklin’s prior connection to Rippey’s agent, Drew Gross.