Former NFL player Mark Clayton sketched his vision for entrepreneurship while in business school.
Clayton founded LIVV Audio, which offers high-performing headphones designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The product was inspired by his experiences as an athlete. Drafted to the NFL in 2005 by the Baltimore Ravens, he signed a five-year deal valued at $8.2 million, according to Spotrac.
Around 2008, he was among the many athletes sporting Beats headphones. Over the years, Clayton recalled breaking two pairs. In 2010, he was traded to the St. Louis Rams but suffered a season-ending injury. During his recovery, he turned to aquatic therapy but faced challenges using over-the-ear headphones during his sessions.
“I made it to St. Louis and had a season-ending injury. And a lot of the rehab we did was in the swimming pool,” Clayton told AFROTECH™. “So, of course, I want to wear my over-ear headphones, but they would start to fall off, and then I have to take ’em off because I don’t want ’em to fall in the water, and I know they’re not waterproof. It was in that rehab kind of scenario where I got to the point where I was like, ‘Man, I don’t understand why there isn’t over-ear headphones for me to just train in.’ And that’s when I started sketching the first concept.”
Clayton mentions a drawing he made while studying business administration and management at Babson College.
Today, Clayton has launched a refined version of the headphones, branded as LIVV Pro Headphones, designed for gym-goers and people on the go.
“Our mission is to create audio products that allow people to move in any atmosphere, in any environment. So whether you’re training or you’re on a train or traveling, that’s where LIVV allows you to live,” Clayton explained.
According to a news release, the over-the-ear product is water-resistant and has a 50-hour battery life, removable earpads, and a dynamic sound profile.
“Wanting it to be premium that just incorporated all the other tech that is standard in premium headphones, having an IR sensor that you know can detect when they’re on your head or not, which ultimately is awesome for your battery life,” Clayton said. “Then having the active noise cancellation as well as the ambient mode that allows you to hear your surroundings and engage with what’s around you if you want to.”
He continued, “And so [I] wanted to just incorporate all the things that were premium and then add what LIVV brought to the table, which was the more secure fit and the water-resistant piece with the ear pads that help you get more active.”
Raising $1M
The product, available for purchase on LIVVAudio.com, was launched with the support of a $1 million seed round, which included participation from former tennis player Mark Knowles. “We’re looking forward to blessing a lot of people with some headphones that do a lot more than what’s out there on the market today,” Clayton stated.
