SportsTech Accelerator
A joint initiative by MYAS, GOI and TIDES IIT Roorkee
WHY SPORTSTECH???
▪ SPORTS TECH – The next big thing, 20% CAGR expected in the next 10 years
▪ Revenue of ~$12 Bn in 2021 globally
▪ Expected to reach ~$55 Bn by 2030
▪ All the ingredients for India’s success in the Sports Tech space are in place
▪ ~20% of the young population of the world lives in India
▪ Proven Tech capabilities of Indian Techies (Almost 1/5th of the global tech workforce)
▪ Government’s keen focus on Sports
▪ Increasing investment by conglomerates like RIL, JSW, and TATA.
▪ Even if the Indian SportsTech startups capture 2% of the global revenue, it will generate ~$1.1 Bn in
revenues and this will create a SportsTech startup ecosystem worth $10+ Bn (10x revenue multiple
is conservative for Tech Start-ups)
Source: [Link]
WHAT CAN AN IIT & SPORTS MINISTRY OFFER TO THE SPORTSTECH STARTUPS
▪ The brand of the Ministry of Sports will act as an enabler for disruptors in Sports Tech Space
▪ Government is the biggest enabler and spender in the sports industry in India. It can help the
SportsTech startups by providing:
▪ Reach & Awareness
▪ Credibility & Trust
▪ Endorsement
▪ IITs have established themselves as pioneers of Technological innovation. TIDES (the official
incubator of IIT Roorkee) can help the SportsTech Startup ecosystem in the following ways:
▪ Deep understanding of incubation and acceleration process
▪ Access to network of mentors and investors
▪ Facilities to build and test prototypes
VISION, MISSION & GOAL
Vision: Positive disruption of the Sports Ecosystem with Innovation and Technology at the
forefront.
Mission: Enable Indian SportsTech Startups by collaboration between one of India’s top
institutes and the Ministry of Sports to support and nurture disruptive ideas.
Goal: Our supported start-ups should lead the innovation to fuel the aspiration of the nation to
finish in the top 25 by the 2028 Olympics and top 10 by 2040.
MILESTONES
Milestones:
▪ Should have 10 successful innovations in the next 5 years through the start-up portfolio.
▪ Supported start-ups should have raised $10 Mn+ capital in the next 5 years.
▪ Combined valuation of portfolio start-ups should reach $100 Mn+ in the next 5 years.
▪ Should help 10K+ people to take up sports as a career option.
▪ Should positively impact the life of 1 mn+ sports-persons including 500K+ women sport-
persons within next 5 years.
AREAS OF FOCUS FOR SELECTING START-UPS
▪ Fan Engagement
▪ Through web 3.0 ecosystem (NFTs, Fan Tokens, AR/VR, Games)
▪ Content Start-ups
▪ Ticketing and Matchday experience during matches, events & gatherings
▪ Supporting Tech like Marketing automation etc.
▪ Social Impact through Sports
▪ Women Empowerment & Women in Sports
▪ Community Development/ Participation in sports
▪ Sports Education/ democratization of sports education led by digitization
▪ Upskilling of Coaches & Ex-players – for career in sports/ alternative careers
AREAS OF FOCUS CONTD…
▪ Performance
▪ Elite Athlete performance
▪ Training
▪ Data gathering & scouting
▪ Nutrition
▪ General Health and Wellness
▪ Data Management & Analytics
▪ Data gathering of players, coaches & admin staff
▪ Analytics around gathered data
▪ Player support through micro sponsorship (like SportsApp)
▪ E-Sports & Gaming
▪ Game development studios
▪ Web3 & Gaming
▪ Distribution for Indian game developers
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ACCELERATOR & INCUBATION PARTNER
Filtration
1000+ Start-ups
Start-up Hunt &
Hackathons
Incubation 100+ Start-ups
Partner (90%) &
Accelerator (10%) Start-ups selected
post 1st Screening
20+ Start-ups
Incubation Phase
10+ Start-ups
Accelerator (90%) & Acceleration
Incubation Partner (10%) Phase
3-4 Start-ups
SPORTSTECH ACCELERATOR: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITY
▪ The ministry can become the first set of customers for the start-ups and connect the start-ups with
the first few customers.
▪ Mentoring through a group of subject matter experts from the academia and the industry.
▪ Providing Market Access
▪ India
▪ Global
▪ Exclusive Start-up showcase events on digital and social media platforms
▪ Unlocking access to Capital
▪ Angel Investing Networks
▪ VCs
▪ Exclusive subscriptions for portfolio
▪ In tie-ups with start-up programs of Microsoft, IBM, Amazon etc.
GLOBAL CASE STUDIES
MLSE – FSL | THE FUTURE OF SPORTS LAB
▪ FSL is a vision supported by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), one of the world’s
premier sport and entertainment companies.
▪ FSL was launched in 2018 as an integrative Sports incubator in collaboration with Toronto
Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University.
▪ This is the closest to what we are planning to do as MI Accelerator.
▪ Through three cohorts over time, they have worked with 19 startups with an aim to enhance how
fans, businesses, and teams engage in the business of sports.
▪ These startups have raised USD 30 Mn+ since graduating from the program.
▪ More about the incubator - [Link]
▪ List of Alumni Startups - [Link]
LA LIGA INCUBATOR
▪ La Liga has signed an agreement with Lanzadera to promote new technologies:
▪ Smart stadiums - technologies that improve efficiency of stadium usage, in areas such as
mobility, sustainability, hospitality and security, as well as creating better fan experiences
both inside and outside of the venue.
▪ Fan engagement - new business models that can increase fan loyalty and interaction.
▪ Audiovisual experiences - solutions that can drive new experiences in the consumption of
sports content, including via OTT platforms, as well as monetise audiences.
▪ Data analysis including artificial intelligence - audience analysis, fan campaign management,
smart dynamic pricing, sports performance, tactical analysis or process automation, etc.
▪ Participating entrepreneurs will have
▪ Financial support
▪ Advice and training from both entities
▪ Working space at Spain’s Marina de Empresas
Selected startups will develop a proof of concept over at least four months and will have the support
of professionals from LaLiga and Lanzadera, who will accompany them in the development and
execution of their projects. In addition, they will have access to funding to bring their creations to life.
UEFA INNOVATION HUB
▪ Vision: “The world is experiencing unprecedented change and this brings great opportunities for
football. The UEFA innovation hub is a vehicle for future-proofing UEFA and ensuring we stay one
step ahead of the latest trends to shape the future of our sport”. The start-ups/ companies that
have worked with UEFA innovation hub:
Three start-ups from 2019 batch
▪ WSC Sports - Creates and distributes automated highlights packages for any digital platform;
▪ Honer - App which allows players to monitor and improve their footballing skills; and
▪ LiveLike - Offers fans a platform to increase engagement around football matches
Other start-ups supported by UEFA innovation hub
▪ Track160 - [Link]
▪ Second Spectrum – a state-of-the-art optical tracking and analytics platform
▪ Signality – a fully automated tracking data solution
▪ Snaptivity – which uses AI to capture live fan moments
▪ My Coach Sport – a digital assistant for football coaches
Website - [Link]
▪ In The News - [Link]
1000--uefa-signs-three-start-ups-as-part-of-innovation-drive/ 18th Oct’19
GLOBAL SPORTS VENTURE STUDIO – POWERED BY R/GA VENTURES
▪ Vision: The Global Sports Venture Studio brings together the world's leading sports organizations
to collaborate and engage with the sports innovation ecosystem and bring the future of the fan
and athlete experience to life.
▪ Partners:
▪ Brands – Adidas, Dick’s sporting goods, Levy, Verizon, E15
▪ Teams – Angel City FC, LA Dodgers and LA Football Club
▪ Leagues & Federations – MLS, NASCAR, MLB, USTA, UEFA
▪ Others – Fox Sports, Elysian Park, NBC Sports, R/GA
Website - [Link]
GLOBAL SPORTS VENTURE STUDIO CONTD…
▪ Approach: Facilitating change to drive growth, not just by investing in the sports, media, and tech space — but
by connecting global leaders by partnering to launch new, disruptive innovations together. On and off the field.
▪ Identify:
▪ Global Research and Actionable Insights
▪ Startup Activity Data and Trend Reports
▪ Private Partner Events
▪ Access to Subject Matter Experts
▪ Startup Innovation Showcase
▪ Develop:
▪ Company Exploration and Vetting
▪ Partner Collaboration Workshops
▪ New Technology Demos and Pilots
▪ Opportunity Sourcing and Deal Flow
▪ Product Validation and Implementation
▪ Operationalize:
▪ Pilot Planning and Deployment
▪ Design and Technology Development
▪ Due Diligence
▪ Investment Consulting
▪ IP Development Opportunities
TRAIL BLAZER VENTURE STUDIO – POWERED BY R/GA VENTURES
▪ The first venture studio to focus on women and sports.
▪ The Trailblazer Venture Studio focuses on the biggest growth opportunity in sports: women. We
partner with entrepreneurs and companies—from early-stage startups to later-stage
businesses—that put women leaders, athletes, and fans first. Collaboration lies at the heart of
this work. Let’s build together.
▪ Focus areas:
▪ Media, culture, and storytelling
▪ Health, fitness, and well-being
▪ Training and performance
▪ Sponsorship and compensation
▪ Retail and commerce
▪ Fan experience
▪ Esports and gaming
Website - [Link]
REAL MADRID NEXT
▪ Real Madrid has just launched the program in association with Fundingbox as part of their
SportsTech innovation program.
▪ The focus is on startups working in e-health, performance, audiovisual, fan engagement,
cybersecurity & technology, and social
▪ Real Madrid launches season 2 of SCORE – Will select maximum of 10 start-ups
▪ [Link]
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en
BARCELONA INNOVATION HUB (BIHUB)
▪ Barcelona are interested in partnering with early-stage companies that share their “values and
passion” for sport. In exchange for a shareholding in the companies, Barca will provide access to
their brand assets.
▪ Barca’s first two investments are:
▪ Visualfy – an accessibility startup which develops technology to help people with learning
disabilities attend sporting events,
▪ Oliver – a wearable data analytics firm which focuses on amateur and regional teams.
▪ [Link]
investment/?zephr_sso_ott=uqRlnp
AO Startups
▪ Initiative of Tennis Australia to foster innovation by involving start-ups -
[Link]
▪ Innovating is part of our DNA. It’s central to building the best sports property in the world and
enabling elite athletes to chase their dreams.
▪ AO Startups accelerates elite founders through priority access to the AO and professional and
community sport.
▪ It provides a unique opportunity for startups solving large problems in sport, health and
entertainment to build, test or pilot on the world stage with Tennis Australia and the Australian
Open.
▪ Focus verticals of AO start-ups
▪ The Athlete Experience – Coaching, athlete performance, injury prevention
▪ The event Experience – Stadium Technology, Media, sSports & Gaming, Climate Action
▪ The Racquet Sports experience – Padel Tennis
ARSENAL INNOVATION HUB
▪ Lmarks ran the program for Arsenal in 2018 and again in 2022
▪ Lmarks is an innovation consultant and works on a discover, develop and deploy method towards
problems across industries
▪ They are also working with Sodexo to deliver smart stadium for Miami Dolphins.
OTHER INCUBATORS/ ACCELERATORS
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ Wesportup accelerator
▪ Wylab
▪ Sport e Salute
▪ Sports Innovation Lab
▪ Juventus Football Club
THANK YOU
