New App, CompWorld, Brings Athletes, Vendors, and Event Organizers Together in One Place
Mark Shortt knows the grind of small business firsthand. As the owner of ThiccBoi Apparel, he spends most weekends on the road, selling gear at local CrossFit competitions — events that sustain his business. However, finding those competitions became its own full-time job.
Event information was scattered across Facebook pages, Competition Corner, and Eventbrite listings, making it nearly impossible to track what was happening and where.
So, Shortt created his own solution: CompWorld, a digital platform designed to gather every local competition in one place.
- “This [app] is every single event, every competition, no matter what platform it’s held on,” Shortt told Morning Chalk Up. “It scrolls like Instagram because that’s something people are already familiar with, and it’s fully free for everyone to use.”
The details: CompWorld caters to athletes and small businesses seeking their next event or vendor opportunity.
Shortt spent two years designing the app to be simple: event organizers upload details directly, and once published, users can see athlete counts, vendor spots, and other key information in one place.
- “I really dialed it into everything that I felt was essential for either the athlete or the business,” Shortt said.
Users can filter by event type, date, or location. While the app is completely free, organizers can pay to promote their events in users’ feeds.
At its core, CompWorld eliminates the endless scavenger hunt of social media links and event pages, offering a true one-stop shop for athletes, vendors, and competition organizers alike.
Why it matters: For small brands like ThiccBoi Apparel, local competitions aren’t just marketing – they’re a matter of survival.
- “To find an event, that’s the lifeblood of our business. And most businesses in the early years don’t have the money to go to bigger events, so finding those smaller ones and creating that foundation is key for any small business,” said Shortt.
Big competitions can be out of reach, with vendor booths costing up to $14,000. Mid-tier events range from $4,000 to $7,000, while local throwdowns—often under $750—offer more accessible options for newer brands trying to establish themselves.
Enter CompWorld.
By connecting athletes, vendors, and organizers, the app helps small businesses find affordable events and communities discover local comps they might otherwise miss.
- “Having that visibility breathes life into small businesses, and it also will breathe life into small events,” Shortt said. “You can’t support what you don’t know, and this is just a huge connecting point so everyone can support each other through this process.”
One last thing: The app has been live for just a month and already features 150 events and 160 users. It’s clear there’s a need for a unified platform, and hopefully, it continues to grow in size and scope.
