Nebraska founder targets youth sports culture gaps

Teresa Friesen has built two platforms in Nebraska designed to change how youth sports operate. Her companies, SheMate and FanWell, address specific friction points in the current system. SheMate pairs young athletes with female mentors. FanWell works to improve fan behavior at games.

The statistics driving these efforts are clear. Girls drop out of sports at higher rates than boys. Negative behavior from spectators contributes to players, coaches, and officials leaving the game. Friesen aims to keep children active and engaged in athletic programs.

SheMate functions as a mentorship platform. It connects youth sports teams with former and current women athletes. These mentors operate at various professional levels. The goal is to provide girls with practical insight into their athletic journeys. Participants learn how to reach specific goals and continue their development.

FanWell focuses on the environment surrounding the game. It supports coaches and youth sport organizations. The platform guides parents to become better contributors to their teams. The aim is to build a positive culture in the stands rather than allowing negative behavior to dominate.

Friesen joined the Nebraska sportstech scene in 2026. She was named a Pipeline Pathfinder that year. Her background is in social work. She previously worked in schools and hospitals and taught college classes. She entered the startup world to apply social science principles to technology.

"I became curious about how technology could expand access to wellness and create meaningful impacts," Friesen said. She noted that she never expected this path to lead to sports. However, the field offered a direct way to apply her professional experience. She views entrepreneurship as a method to combine her background in social work with innovation.

Friesen advises new entrepreneurs that the process requires patience. "It takes time to learn the world of entrepreneurship," she said. She emphasized that learning is necessary to build quality relationships. The time spent on education leads to real impact. She described the waiting period as time well spent.

Her objective is to make Nebraska a model for youth sports nationwide. She wants young people to experience the benefits of teamwork and resilience. Sports provide physical activity and help children build relationships. These experiences teach life lessons that extend beyond playing days. Friesen is seeking connections with schools, clubs, coaches, parents, and sponsors to support this vision.