Get ready for your sports adventure: Under Armour

Some of the best ideas for new businesses emerge from garages – or basements, as in the case of Under Armour. The bikewear brand, which was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank in the basement of his grandma's house, has long since grown to be a global player in the sports equipment business. Playing football, Plank used to sweat heavily under his protective gear, and the cotton shirts he was wearing got wet and heavy. This inspired him to create a prototype T-shirt made of synthetic fibres that wick away moisture rather than simply absorbing it. The rest is history. Today Under Armour equips numerous professional athletes and teams all over the world.