Second Half Network

Career and mentorship platform for student-athletes.

Founded 2026New Orleans, United StatesPre-funding Jobs RecruitmentRecruitmentCareer

The founders

Jack GrossJG
Tulane University
Scott Shawn VenancioSS
Ex-Usabl, LendCap LLC · Tulane University
Justin KornblumJK
Tulane University
Noah SpigelNS
Ex-Strategic Hospitality · UCLA Anderson School of Management

The company

What they're building

Second Half Network is a free platform that helps college student-athletes plan careers after sport. Athletes build career plans, set goals, track progress and connect with vetted mentors, many of whom are former student-athletes.

Why now

The founders started it after seeing little career support for athletes once their time in college sport ends. Mentors must be former college athletes who graduated in 2024 or earlier, or professionals with more than six years in their field.

The backstory

The company was set up in 2026 by business students at Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business in New Orleans. Scott Venancio is chief executive and Jack Gross chief operating officer.

Why this team

Jack Gross, Scott Shawn Venancio and Justin Kornblum studied at Tulane University, and Noah Spigel at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Venancio previously worked at Usabl and LendCap, and Spigel at Strategic Hospitality.

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