Draft:Veloci Running
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Tstrothman (talk) 00:53, 11 April 2026 (UTC)
Veloci Running is an American running shoe company founded by Tyler Strothman, a former NCAA Division I cross country and track and field athlete at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The company makes running shoes with naturally shaped toe boxes and elevated heel drops.[1]
History
[edit]Strothman majored in sport management and minored in entrepreneurship at Rice. He came up with the idea for Veloci after dealing with foot pain caused by narrow toe boxes in traditional running shoes while competing collegiately.[2] He started working on the concept in late 2023, drawing on his experience working at running specialty stores including Fleet Feet and Dick's Sporting Goods.[3]
He built the company through Rice's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its Summer Venture Studio accelerator program.[4] Veloci was the first company signed by the Rice Student Venture Fund, receiving $25,000 in initial funding. Strothman also raised over $240,000 from angel investors and ordered 7,000 pairs for the first production run.[5]
Veloci had its official launch party on January 16, 2025, at Axelrad Beer Garden in Houston. By that point, the company had sold about 800 pairs and had partnerships with 29 specialty running stores across the country.[6][7]
In April 2025, Veloci won first place and $50,000 in equity-free funding at the H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge, Rice University's annual student startup competition.[8]
Products
[edit]The company's first shoe, the Ascent, is a neutral daily trainer. It has a midsole made of EVA, OBC, POE, and TPU foams, a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, and a 39mm heel stack height. It features a wide, anatomically shaped toe box and rocker geometry. It retails for $180.[9]
The second shoe, the Mesa, is a stability model released in 2025. It has the same stack height and drop as the Ascent but adds a medial "Wingwall Stability" system designed to gently correct overpronation.[10][11]
Reception
[edit]The Ascent was noted by running publications for its strong build quality and comfortable anatomical toe box, particularly impressive for a brand's debut shoe.[12] Reviewers also noted that the midsole rode firmer than expected and that the higher drop may not suit all running styles.[13]
The Mesa, Veloci's second product, has been well received. Reviewers described it as a confident second shoe that filled a gap for runners who wanted stability plus a wide toe box and higher drop.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Running track while running a business". Rice University News. October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Senior Spotlight: Tyler Strothman '25". Rice University News. March 25, 2025.
- ^ "Running track while running a business". Rice University News. October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Rice entrepreneurship lab unveils teams for 2024 Lilie Summer Venture Studio accelerator". Rice University News. 2024.
- ^ "Start-Up Texas Shoe Company Veloci Sees Austin As An Important Regional Linchpin". Austin Fit Magazine. January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Veloci Running celebrates a successful launch party". The Rice Thresher. January 22, 2025.
- ^ "Start-Up Texas Shoe Company Veloci Sees Austin As An Important Regional Linchpin". Austin Fit Magazine. January 30, 2025.
- ^ Laura Furr Mericas (April 28, 2025). "Student-led startup runs away with prestigious prize at Rice competition". InnovationMap.
- ^ "Veloci Ascent Review: Taking Flight... Or Trying To". Believe in the Run. May 8, 2025.
- ^ "Veloci Mesa Review". RunToTheFinish. 2025.
- ^ Matt Rasmussen (November 10, 2025). "Veloci Mesa: A Stable Step Forward for a Young Brand". Run Oregon.
- ^ "Veloci Ascent Review". Road Trail Run. December 29, 2024.
- ^ "Veloci Ascent Review: Taking Flight... Or Trying To". Believe in the Run. May 8, 2025.
- ^ Matt Rasmussen (November 10, 2025). "Veloci Mesa: A Stable Step Forward for a Young Brand". Run Oregon.
- ^ "Veloci Mesa Review". RunToTheFinish. 2025.
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