Campus Ink is a company that has emerged as a leader in collegiate merchandise and NIL monetization. It utilizes technology to transform how student-athletes build their brands and generate income. High Street Equity Partners has invested in Campus Ink.
Launched by CEO Steven Farag, who started selling campus apparel as a University of Illinois student before buying a local print shop in 2015, the company evolved from simple beginnings into a sophisticated platform powering the creator economy for collegiate athletes.
The NIL Store has shown operational scale, surpassing 100 schools and enabling over 20,000 student-athletes from 110 Division I institutions and 40 Power 4 Institutions to sell licensed merchandise directly to fans. And since launch, this platform has distributed over $2.5 million in royalties to student-athletes, creating a tangible economic impact in this emerging market.
The company has also attracted noteworthy co-investors such as Mark Cuban, WNBA Owner Renee Montgomery, Light Bank, Scrum Ventures, Connectic Ventures, and Capital Innovators.
Campus Ink continues to show innovative growth through successful expansion into retail through a pilot kiosk program in campus bookstores. This omnichannel approach builds recurring revenue streams while extending brand presence beyond digital platforms.
The company’s standing is further validated by being named the Big East Conference’s official locker room tee provider. And The NIL Store secured a groundbreaking NCAA NIL License, enabling athletes to earn revenue on official NCAA products during tournaments for the first time.
Going forward, The NIL Store’s proprietary ARENA platform (launching soon) will streamline athlete onboarding, automate royalty payments, and provide comprehensive analytics and marketing support—technology designed to fuel long-term growth and scalability.
This investment also aligns with the strategy of backing innovative companies in underserved markets. And Steven and his team exemplify how entrepreneurs from diverse regions can drive transformative industry change.
Campus Ink is a compelling venture at the intersection of sports, technology, and the creator economy that is benefiting from a first-mover advantage and a robust infrastructure and network that create meaningful barriers to entry.
KEY QUOTES:
“Campus Ink is redefining what’s possible at the intersection of sports, technology, and the creator economy. Steven and his team have built a platform that not only empowers student-athletes to monetize their brands but also reimagines how institutions, fans, and athletes connect. At High Street Equity Partners, we invest in bold founders solving real problems in overlooked markets—and Campus Ink exemplifies that vision.”
Mitch Brooks, Managing Partner, High Street Equity Partners
