Sports Business Journal’s Post

"15 sports startups raised millions through their pitch decks, showcasing the booming opportunities in the sports industry. From tech innovation to sports betting, the market is ripe for disruption. Check out the key takeaways and insights from their successful funding rounds. #SportsStartups #PitchDecks #FundingSuccess"

Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy is just that – powerful. Here’s why. Sports are Indiana’s thing. Combine that with Techstars founders who are building innovative companies that will ultimately benefit the Indy sports ecosystem and you’ve got a match made in … Indiana. Now in its fifth class, the Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy, is designed for sports tech companies focused on the future of sport, ranging from new technologies to new business models. The partnership fosters Indiana’s rep as an innovator, helps organizations like Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the NCAA, parks and recreation departments and powerful sports organizations identify disruptive technologies and discover deal flow. How? Check out this piece: Matchmaker: How Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy leverages connections for founders to learn more about partnering with Techstars. The Fan's Place | Jeffrey Hintz | Jordan F. #partner #techstars #founders #accelerator #startups #connections

In a move aimed to define the soccer technology landscape, Iterpro and Vamos Venture Partners have announced a strategic partnership designed to expand their footprint in the United States. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders with a shared vision for advancing the game of soccer through Iterpro’s advanced sport-tech solution and Vamos Venture Partners’ expertise in strategic business development and consulting. David Ricca, founder of Vamos Venture Partners: We are thrilled about our strategic partnership with Iterpro. Together, we’re poised to revolutionize the tech landscape, combining our expertise, networks, and passion for innovation. Marco Savino, CEO & founder of Iterpro: Partnering with Vamos Venture marks a pivotal step for Iterpro, enabling the widespread adoption of our revolutionary technology across the US market, from grassroots organizations to professional teams. https://lnkd.in/dwfRbQVK #soccer #Football #USA #USExpansion #VamosVenture #DigitalInnovation #SportsTech #SportsAnalytics #SportsBusiness #SportsBiz #iterpro

📰 Extra, Extra! Comcast SportsTech journey to revolutionize sports through their annual accelerator has landed in TechCrunch. Learn more about Comcast's commitment to nurturing sports tech startups and shaping the next generation of innovation! 🚀

Estonian Scorestars raises €725K to expand their fan engagement platform to new markets Scorestars, a Tallinn-based basketball fan engagement platform, recently secured €725K in a seed funding round led by Trind Ventures, Startup Wise Guys, 3 Comma Capital SCR, SA, and Estonian angel investors. The platform enables fans to collect digital cards of their beloved athletes and participate in a fantasy game, offering prizes from VIP experiences to gadgets. With the funding, Scorestars plans to expand its operations to new markets, execute marketing campaigns, and recruit talent to solidify its position as the go-to “second screen” for sports fans, aiming to engage a younger audience by providing real-life experiences as rewards and amplifying the platform’s voice in the sports community. https://lnkd.in/dft2iCJp #balticmade #estonia #funding #sportstech #fantasysports #sportsfanplatform #startups #trending

Sports has become one of the hottest areas for investment, with $6B going into #sportstech already this year. Early-stage investors like Acies Investments, Courtside Ventures, and Drive by DraftKings are pouring money into startups working in areas like sports betting, esports, sports tech, analytics, and more. Ashley Rodriguez, James Faris, Margaret Fleming & I rounded up 26 #venturecapitalists making the biggest bets in the space. Read about who they are and what sets them apart, in Insider:

‼️ 🔔 Partnership announcement! Vamos Venture Partners & Iterpro! In a move aimed to define the soccer technology landscape, Iterpro and Vamos Venture Partners have announced a strategic partnership designed to expand their footprint in the United States. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders with a shared vision for advancing the game of soccer through Iterpro’s advanced sport-tech solution and Vamos Venture Partners’ expertise in strategic business development and consulting. David Ricca, founder of Vamos Venture Partners: We are thrilled about our strategic partnership with Iterpro. Together, we’re poised to revolutionize the tech landscape, combining our expertise, networks, and passion for innovation. Marco Savino, CEO & founder of Iterpro: Partnering with Vamos Venture marks a pivotal step for Iterpro, enabling the widespread adoption of our revolutionary technology across the US market, from grassroots organizations to professional teams. https://lnkd.in/dwfRbQVK #soccer #Football #USA #USExpansion #VamosVenture #DigitalInnovation #SportsTech #SportsAnalytics #SportsBusiness #SportsBiz #athleteperformance #iterpro

Kickoff to Glory: The Epic Journey of Onefootball and Lucas von Cranach. Chapter 4: Pivotal Moments. As Onefootball began to solidify its presence in the sports tech landscape, pivotal moments emerged that shaped the trajectory of Lucas von Cranach's ambitious venture. Central to this chapter is the strategic decision-making that elevated Onefootball from a promising app to a respected and influential platform in the football community. One of the defining moments was the establishment of official data licenses, a strategic move that not only enhanced the app's credibility but also provided users with reliable and accurate information. This milestone marked Onefootball as a trustworthy source for live scores, statistics, and news, setting it apart from competitors. Collaborations with football clubs further strengthened Onefootball's position in the industry. By forging partnerships with clubs, the app gained access to exclusive content, fostering a deeper connection with users and enhancing the overall fan experience. The chapter also explores how von Cranach's leadership played a pivotal role in these decisions. His ability to identify opportunities and navigate complex negotiations showcased his entrepreneurial acumen. Readers witness the maturation of Onefootball as it transitions from a startup with potential to a key player in the digital sports ecosystem. Pivotal moments serve as turning points, and this chapter illustrates how strategic choices and partnerships propelled Onefootball forward, laying the groundwork for its continued growth and influence in the world of football technology. #startup #strategy #football

Charlotte sports-tech startup Fastbreak.ai counts NBA among investors in $5.2M seed round. Charlotte-based Fastbreak.ai, a sports scheduling platform, has landed the National Basketball Association as an investor and customer as part of a multi-year agreement. Fastbreak.ai closed on a $5.2 million seed round last year, with NBA Equity — a corporate venture arm of the National Basketball Association (NBA) — becoming its latest investor in the capital raise as part of their deal. The professional basketball league will also integrate Fastbreak.ai's software-as-a-service solution into its scheduling process. In addition, the technology will also assist in scheduling games for the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), NBA G League and the NBA2K League. "League sports scheduling is one of the most complicated scheduling problems there is," said John Stewart, CEO and co-founder of Fastbreak.ai. "There are hundreds of what we call constraints or variables in that problem. And our software allows a user to define all these rules and then solve that problem and come up with the most optimal schedule with regards to fairness and competitiveness." Fastbreak.ai was founded in 2022 by Stewart, chief product officer Chris Groer and chief technology officer Timothy Carnes. Stewart co-founded MapAnything Inc., a Charlotte-based location-of-things software provider that was acquired by San Francisco-based Salesforce in 2019. Fastbreak.ai provides research and artificial intelligence solutions for league scheduling, which can be complex when considering factors such as venue availability, balancing travel for games, schedule fairness and television viewership. The platform is built on cloud technology for speed and scale, helping leagues modernize their scheduling needs. The NBA joins the National Hockey League (NHL), Southeastern Conference (SEC), the BIG EAST Conference and Major League Pickleball in leveraging Fastbreak.ai's software. "They (the NBA) trialed it for a period of time, and after trialing it and with us assisting them in this past year's schedule, they made the decision to move forward with a long-term contract with us," Stewart told CBJ. Fastbreak.ai's seed round was led by Greycroft with participation from the Charlotte Fund and professional athletes including Greg Olsen, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Gordon Hayward, Luke Kuechly, Whit Merrifield, Kelvin Beachum, Kurt Kitayama and Alison Lee. The funding will be used to expand the company's headcount, Stewart said. It currently has 11 employees. Fastbreak.ai aims to continue growing its professional and collegiate sports client base. Over the next year, it is also working to develop youth sports products, which would include solutions for scheduling and travel. https://lnkd.in/eERN9sex

Impressive news about SoBet's seed funding! Securing $3.7 million demonstrates strong investor confidence in their vision. Analyzing their pitch deck reveals critical strategies. Emphasizing their unique value proposition for bettors and creators likely resonated with investors. Highlighting market potential, user engagement, and growth metrics are essential for convincing stakeholders. As a professional tip, ensuring that your pitch deck clearly communicates your business model, revenue streams, and scalability can significantly impact funding success. SoBet's achievement underscores the importance of a well-crafted narrative and solid market positioning.