Sacramento-based athletic apparel startup NoBrakes Athletics has closed its first round of funding. The company offers athletic products at affordable prices using innovative fabrics, such as bamboo. The lead investor in the round came from Sacramento-based ESM Ventures.
“I wanted to create an apparel line that athletes could feel comfortable wearing to the gym but also wear out in an everyday setting,” explained Jake Longoria, the startup’s founder and CEO. “The bamboo blend we use makes for a soft shirt that is durable and flexible, yet also sturdy enough for running, lifting weights or indoor cycling.”
Longoria founded the company in 2019 after struggling to find workout apparel that he felt comfortable and confident in. Longoria, a Sacramento native, played high school basketball at Sacramento Country Day School and currently attends New York University’s Stern Undergraduate School of Business. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic and NYU’s closure, Longoria decided to raise funding ahead of schedule since he could dedicate more time to the venture.
“I started researching fabric blends and stumbled upon this blend of bamboo, cotton and spandex. It was soft so you could lounge around at home, breathable to workout in and feels substantial enough to wear out to a meeting.”
“We were impressed with Jake and the NoBrakes team and their energy and passion. Athletic apparel is a huge market and they have a unique product to offer at a compelling price point,” ESM Ventures Principal Joe Jaszewski said in a statement.
