Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson Is Starting Athletic-Brand Venture

Chip Wilson is building up a business of small athletic-focused brands, according to a person familiar with the matter, setting up new avenues for potential growth for the billionaire founder of Lululemon Athletica Inc.

The venture will include new brands as well as existing small brands, the person said. Wilson hired an operating partner to be part of the new business, which is based in Vancouver, another person with knowledge of the plan said.