16 Feb IU Angel Network Invests in Homefield
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The IU Angel Network, an investment vehicle of IU Ventures, today announced a follow-on investment in Homefield, the Indianapolis-based collegiate apparel brand founded by Indiana University (IU) alum Connor Hitchcock. The investment supports Homefield’s continued growth as it scales premium, officially licensed, vintage-inspired apparel while remaining deeply rooted in the IU community and the fan culture that helped shape the brand from its earliest days.
In 2026, the Hoosiers’ national championship victory capped a season that redefined what was possible for the program–and for the broader IU community that has believed in it through decades of near-misses and heartbreak.
For one diehard Hoosier, that moment was especially full circle.
More than a decade earlier, during the infamous 2015 Pinstripe Bowl, an unreviewable field-goal call ended IU’s season in frustration. While the Hoosiers came up short on the scoreboard that day, then-student Connor Hitchcock found inspiration in the disappointment. From his basement, he turned a missed opportunity into momentum, creating a tongue-in-cheek T-shirt declaring, “The kick was good.” “That moment was the spark that introduced us to IU Licensing, and the rest is history,” Hitchcock said. The design resonated immediately, selling hundreds of units and proving that Hoosier fans don’t just endure the lows–they turn them into identity.
That same spirit led Hitchcock and his wife, Christa, to launch Homefield in 2018. By 2022, Homefield had built meaningful momentum with its premium, officially licensed, vintage-inspired collegiate apparel–prompting the IU Angel Network to invest. “There’s no Homefield without IU–from the athletic programs to the education I received in Bloomington,” said Hitchcock. “The continued support from the Hoosier community, including the IU Angel Network, has meant everything to us.”
Even as Homefield has grown nationally–recently earning coverage in The New York Times and USA Today–and is licensed by more than 200 other universities nationwide, its identity has remained closely tied to Indiana. In August 2025, Homefield deepened that connection by opening its first flagship retail location on Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington. The store, Homefield at Tracks, is a partnership with Tracks, the iconic vinyl record shop that first opened in 1988 and recently entered a new chapter under new ownership. Inside the space, Homefield continues to sell both apparel and music under the Tracks name, blending two longstanding pieces of Bloomington culture into a single, community-driven storefront.
IU has consistently been Homefield’s top-selling school, and that connection has only deepened as the program’s on-field success reignited a long-dormant fan base. “We loved Indiana football long before it was a national powerhouse, starting with our very first shirt,” said Hitchcock. “It’s fitting that a national championship season helped take our brand to an entirely new level.” During IU’s historic College Football Playoff run in 2024, Homefield’s IU merchandise sales more than doubled year-over-year. That momentum accelerated in 2025, with sales increasing to more than two-and-a-half times the prior year as IU captured an undefeated Big Ten Championship and ultimately claimed its first national title. At each milestone, Homefield met the moment with new releases that reflected–and fueled–the energy of the fan base.
Building on that early conviction and Homefield’s continued execution, Homefield received additional investment from the IU Angel Network in January 2026. The investment reflects growing confidence in their ability to scale a culturally resonant brand while maintaining the authenticity that has defined it since its earliest days.
“Homefield’s story is truly unique–it started right here at IU and really took off alongside the Hoosiers’ historic playoff run,” said Olivia Schmitt-Metz, Executive Director of the IU Angel Network. “They’ve stayed true to who they are while continuing to raise the bar, and this investment is really about supporting a team that’s building something special.”
“This investment helps us dig deeper into product development and expand our distribution channels,” said Hitchcock. “Our goal is to create the world’s most thoughtful collegiate apparel brand–one that we want to exist for decades to come.”
With the Hoosiers riding high off a national championship and Homefield right there alongside them, the future looks bright for this home-grown brand. Homefield is focused on building sustainable growth while staying true to the passion and authenticity that got them here. The next few years will be about delivering on that promise and expanding their reach in collegiate sports apparel.
About IU Ventures
IU Ventures invests in and supports IU-affiliated early-stage companies. Its investment programs include the IU Philanthropic Venture Fund, the IU Angel Network, and the Innovate Indiana Fund. Further support initiatives include the IU Founders and Funders Network. Each program takes a unique approach to accelerate and support the positive impacts that entrepreneurs affiliated with IU already achieve across the world. http://www.iuventures.com/
About Homefield
Homefield is an Indianapolis-based collegiate apparel brand founded in 2018 by Indiana University alum Connor Hitchcock and his wife, Christa. The company specializes in premium, officially licensed, vintage-inspired apparel that celebrates the culture and spirit of college sports. Deeply rooted in the IU community, Homefield has grown nationally and continues to expand its reach while maintaining its commitment to authenticity and quality. The brand has garnered attention for its thoughtful designs and strong connection to passionate fan bases. https://www.homefieldapparel.com/
Media Contacts
Connor Hitchcock
Homefield
connor@homefieldapparel.com
Olivia Schmitt-Metz
IU Ventures
oschmitt@iu.edu