Custom Footwear Company, ISlide, announces new NBA Star Investor

(Boston, MA)   Despite walking away from a sizable investment offer from Robert Herjavec on season 8 of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank, ISlide founder, and former Reebok executive Justin Kittredge has landed himself a baller backing from NBA star Evan Turner of the Portland Trail Blazers.   Turner signed on to close out the latest seed round for ISlide, the celeb-obsessed custom slide designer, marking a rare player-ownership share in the exploding athletic footwear company.  According to Kittredge, the capital raised will be used to keep up with increased demand through the procurement of new equipment and inventory, launch new product lines, expand efforts in research and development, sales, marketing and more.

For Turner, becoming part of the burgeoning ISlide business was a slam-dunk.  A fan of the brand since it launched in 2013, Turner has amassed a collection of custom designed ISlides of his own, and he rocks them from the locker room to the streets.  “I’ve always admired the creativity and hustle of the ISlide team,” says Turner. “I love the quality of their slides and the message of self-expression behind them,” he adds.  

In addition to adding “investor” to his career highlights, Turner is part of a growing tribe of ISlide loyalists.  To date, the brand has attracted a number of celebrity and athlete fans, from DJ Khaled to Kim Kardashian, Rob Gronkowski, Chelsea Handler, Conor McGregor and more.  “We’re beyond thrilled to welcome Evan to the ISlide family,” says Kittredge. “He is a force both on and off the court, and truly breathes life into our mantra to ‘stand in what you stand for’.  Together, we’ll take ISlide to the next level.”

Check out the announcement video. 

 

 

About ISlide

ISlides are the sought-after athletic sandal sweeping the world on the feet of such athletes and celebrities as Dwyane Wade, Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, LeBron James, Diddy, and more. Maker of DJ Khaled's famous "Bless Up" and "Another One" slide sandals, ISlide fuses fashion with athletics and has partnered with the NBA, the WWE, Def Jam Records, and a number of other teams, brands, and organizations for custom designs. 

ISlide was founded in 2013 by Justin Kittredge, a 13-year footwear industry veteran and former head of Reebok Basketball, and has emerged from footwear start-up to innovative leader in the slide sandal space.  ISlide is the ONLY maker of customizable high-end slides in the marketplace.

ISlide appeared on the season eight premiere of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.  Though offered a deal by Robert Herjavec, Kittredge declined.  ISlide recently inked retail deals with online powerhouses Neiman Marcus, LIDS, Fanatics and Urban Outfitters.