"From Athlete to Entrepreneur Through College Sports"
Athletepreneur U's Business Development Specialist
Meet the powerhouse team behind Athletepreneur U—former athletes turned successful business owners and innovators. We know firsthand the challenges that come with transitioning from the world of sports into entrepreneurship, and we’re here to make that journey smoother, smarter, and more strategic.
Our specialists combine real-world experience with cutting-edge tools, offering personalized business development that now includes AI-powered strategies. From AI training courses to building custom AI agents that automate and simplify daily operations, we help you manage your business with the same confidence and precision you had on the field.
At Athletepreneur U, we don’t just teach business—we evolve it. Let us help you leverage your athletic mindset and new-age tech to build, grow, and sustain a business that works for you.
Derrick Witherspoon
Founder & Lead Counselor
With over 22 years of experience in the business building & development, Derrick is passionate about helping athletes navigate their careers and achieve their goals. As Founder and Athlete Business Development Specialist in Franchising, Derrick guides athletes to successfully transition from sports careers into franchise ownership. He develops structured programs and engaging courses that educate athletes on franchise selection, investment strategies, operations, and brand growth
Kolowa Shaw
Cofounder Strategic Partnerships Manager
Kolowa specializes in building strategic partnerships that enhance opportunities for athletes, focusing on collaboration and growth.
Dexter Davis
Athlete Business Development Specialist
Dexter specializes in supporting athletes transitioning into entrepreneurship within the Janitorial Services industry. He creates targeted educational resources, providing athletes with the knowledge and skills necessary to launch, manage, and scale successful janitorial businesses, including securing government and private contracts
Mike Jones
Athlete Business Development Specialist
Mike empowers athletes transitioning into entrepreneurship within the Construction Industry. He creates dynamic content, courses, and workshops designed to help athletes understand construction contracting, bidding processes, project management, compliance, and scaling their construction businesses