Our story
Chall was born out of a simple yet powerful idea: to bring people together through the spirit of competition.
It all began with Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen, a former elite athlete with the Norwegian ski team, who competed in the Olympics, World Championships, and on the World Cup tour. Through these experiences—including earning medals in both the Olympics and World Championships—Leif gained a deep understanding of how challenges inspire, motivate, and connect people.
The idea behind Chall sparked in 2012 and matured over a decade. During this time, Leif, while rising through the ranks of World Cup skiing, also pursued academic excellence at the University of Denver, becoming an NCAA Champion and earning an invitation to the White House from then-President Barack Obama.
Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen is greeted by Barack Obama during a visit at the White House in 2012.
His journey through sports and business revealed a unique opportunity: to create a platform that extended the competitive spirit of sports into everyday life and business.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, this vision gained an extra spark. As traditional arenas for competition and connection—such as sports events, group activities, and shared experiences—were taken away, the need for a digital solution became more urgent. Leif devoted two years to research, data collection, and listening to potential users' needs. This process led to the creation of Chall’s first Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a platform designed to simplify hosting and participating in competitions.
Teaming up with co-founders with expertise in law, finance, and product development, and later joined by a celebrated freeski athlete and a former Red Bull employee, Leif and his team brought Chall to life.
Chall is more than a platform; it’s a community where anyone can create, compete, and connect.
Imagine Chall as the ultimate party where everyone’s invited, bringing the arena right to your pocket, turning every competition into thrilling, real-world action that’s both fun and rewarding. It’s a place that fosters inclusivity, encourages activity, and transforms how we engage in challenges, whether for fun, fitness, or business.
Initially focused on winter sports, Chall quickly gained traction with major Norwegian ski resorts, international federations and organizations, national teams, and global brands. Its unique network in the winter sports industry continues to be a competitive edge, but as Chall grows, it will expand far beyond sports.
The platform now serves as a versatile tool for businesses, organizations, and individuals alike, enabling memorable experiences and engaging audiences in creative ways. As the platform evolves, it continues to attract a diverse range of users, proving that competition—whether on the slopes or in everyday life—can be a powerful force for connection and growth.
Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen on the podium after a world cup race in Beaver Creek.