Follow the evidence, even when it's uncomfortable.
Everything we build starts with research. We ground everything in science because only validated work creates lasting change. Here's what we've found so far.
18 months. Real athletes. Real results.
Our foundational research was conducted in partnership with Temple University, led by Dr. Elizabeth Taylor. The study followed student-athletes through structured mentorship conversations with Sam and measured changes in self-awareness, help-seeking behavior, career clarity, and meaningful behavior change.
The results were statistically significant across every key outcome.
93%
increased self-awareness
71%
enhanced support-seeking behavior
93%
meaningful behavior change
40% → 4%
career confusion reduction
19 of 30 participants reported real behavior changes. 71% described breakthrough moments where they put words into action for the first time.
What athletes said
"When I was frustrated and didn't know why, Sam helped me understand why."
"I don't usually talk about what's going on with me. This was the first time I said it out loud."
"It actually made me reach out to my coaches for the first time."
DI Women's Rower
"I like how Sam would repeat what I said back to me, and use it in his next question. Like he always went deep and deeper. It felt like you're talking to someone that was emotionally intelligent."
NCAA Innovations in Research & Practice Grant
The NCAA reviewed our research outcomes and selected Journai as an Innovations in Research & Practice Grant recipient. This is their endorsement of science-backed approaches to student-athlete development.
Journai holds a signed distribution agreement with the NCAA covering approximately 1,100 member institutions and more than 500,000 student-athletes.
Read the NCAA announcement →"This generation of student-athletes is digital-native; integrating an AI-driven mentor into their daily routines will serve as connective tissue, enhancing, not replacing, existing campus resources."
Arthur Johnson, Vice President & Director of Athletics, Temple University
Phase II: Multi-site National Study
A multi-site replication study is now underway across multiple NCAA institutions and approximately 150 participants. Phase II is designed to validate our findings across divisions, sports, genders, and institutional contexts.
Led by Dr. Elizabeth Taylor at Temple University, the study will produce peer-reviewed publications, a practitioner implementation guide, and a national webinar for NCAA stakeholders.
National rollout is planned for January 2027.
Institutional partnerships
We hold a signed MOU with the American Conference to co-develop student-athlete programming across member institutions.
We have a signed Letter of Intent with Sport England to extend Sam to their coaching workforce of up to 3 million coaches in the UK.
Built with them, not for them.
Temple University co-developed our research methodology. Their coaching staff shaped our platform from real athletic department workflows. Student-athletes, academic staff, and mental health professionals were involved in designing the in-app conversations.
We don't build tools and hand them to campuses. We embed in their world and build alongside them.