Interviewing Andreas Westerlind, CCO of Solidsport

In this conversation, Andreas talks about how Solidsport was born in 2016 with a vision of creating a sports streaming platform for sports at all levels. Journeying through his career as a journalist, then in marketing and currently as the Chief Commercial Officer at Solidsport in Sweden, Andreas mentions how they allow every sport to find their audience, find their voice, whether big or small. Andreas says, one thing that makes them a bit unique is that Solidsport basically offers a platform that's customised for the needs of the customer. 

Solidsport is a leading sport streaming platform that is trusted by sport federations, leagues, clubs and events. On all levels and everywhere. Solidsport offers a complete OTT sports media platform with custom white label design, sport data integrations and unlimited live streaming and on demand possibilities. You can create new revenue streams with our in-built payment system, enabling custom subscriptions and pay-per-view tickets on all content. Companies can also promote partners and strengthen sponsorship offers with ready to go advertising concepts.

To learn more, visit www.solidsport.com/en/products

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Jake Schuster, CEO of Gemini Sports Analytics

In this conversation, Jake talks about his background as a Strength and Conditioning coach and his work in biomechanics. As a proud, non-technical, solo founder, Jake discusses how Gemini Sports Analytics aims to simplify data-driven decision-making for sports executives by offering an easy-to-use application. This tool can help sports organizations optimize their decision-making processes and improve their overall performance. Jake mentions that the company has been funded for about a year and that they launched their application towards the end of last year. Currently, they have eight partners, half of whom are in football, which is attributed to the timing, networks, and common problems faced by teams in this sport. However, the company believes that any sport aiming to use predictive analytics in their talent identification, scouting, and roster management process can benefit from their product.

Gemini Sports Analytics is empowering excellence through faster insights, improved predictions, and better decisions. They support organizations in the business of improving athlete welfare and enhancing performance, while also leveraging AI to modernize athlete management. While sports teams collect vast amounts of data without meaningfully improving athlete outcomes, Gemini Sports Analytics has a no-code predictive analytics platform that puts machine learning tools in the hands of non-technical stakeholders, which will change how organizations acquire, develop, and manage their athletes.

To learn more, visit www.geminisports.io.

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Abhinav Tandon, Founding Member and Global Spokesperson of Da One Global Ventures

In this conversation, Abhinav talks about how they decided to headquarter in the middle east due to all of the interest around sport, the connectivity due to the location, the availability of funds and hunger for innovation. One of the 10 pillars of GCC was also sports. They also identified the importance of sports, tech and funds that Abu Dhabi very warmly welcomed them with. This is also what led them to operate out of the middle east.

Da One leverages its robust network of VCs and sports industry leaders to empower startups to soar and scale, driving their operations to new heights. Da One also has an  E-Sports Studio that nurtures early-stage ventures, fostering innovative virtual sports experiences and fostering collaborative opportunities. And the Web 3.0 Studio champions startups that aim to launch and evolve blockchain projects, NFTs, and more, providing essential support for growth.

To learn more, visit http://daoneglobal.vc

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Amr El Beheiry, Co Founder and CCO of Fanzword 

In this conversation, Amr talks about how fans are the heart and blood of the sports industry and they spend huge amounts of time, effort and savings each year cheering for their favourite teams. There is no platform that helps you monetize cheering for your team. This is when Amr decided that there needs to be someone who rewards the fans. Jumping into the startup world in 2019, best friends of 30 years, identified a gap in the way sports were consumed globally they set out on their venture in the world of sports tech. Amr says commercial sales and business is their passion but football is their addiction.

Fanzword is a social network for football fans that allows them to discuss matches with their friends and other football fans, earn points, and win prizes. Users can rate a player, rate any scored goals, recommend any substitution, participate in match discussions, and predict the match score by using the app.

To learn more, visit http://fanzword.com

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Malik Shishtawi, Founder of Arab SportsTech & Gaming Expo

Arab SportsTech & Gaming Expo is based in Qatar and is an opportunity to meet key players & leaders from the Sports Tech, eSports & Sports world in Qatar and the world, & to discuss latest trends and solutions in the industry. It focuses on providing real-world case studies, and learnings, enabling companies, teams, and individuals to excel in the sports industry. 

In this conversation, Malik talks about how everyone now has their eyes on the middle east. The main objective is to bring the right audience and stakeholders together. Mangusteen is the event company that hosts the expo. It was previously known as the Arab SportsTech Forum and is now the Arab SportsTech & Gaming Expo. What started out of passion for exploring the internet and following its evolution. Malik first launched the Arab Social Media forum once he identified a gap in the region. What spanned across 6 countries and 8 editions had attendees who now hold very prominent positions in international companies heading social media or the digital departments, accomplishing their initial mission as a forum. Malik also sheds light on the legacy of the World Cup and its impact on development of sport in the Middle East. He also talks about plans to launch an investor and startup matchmaking platform for the region. 

To learn more, visit http://arabstge.com

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Mohammad Ali Abbaspour, Founder and CEO at Sponixtech  

Sponixtech is a technology company that provides services and solutions which helps broadcasters, TV channels and advertisers increase viewers and enhance fan experiences. Through the ‘Immersive Replay technology’, Sponix Tech assists its clients to acquire more viewers, enhance their fan engagement and experience by producing immersive content. And the Virtual ‘Advertisement technology’, helps sponsors increase their engagement with fans. It creates a new era of sponsorship in the sports industry.

In this conversation, Mohammad discusses customizing the main solutions that we offer for various sports is their main  priority at the moment. Football, basketball, tennis, paddle, ice hockey and futsal are sports that Sponixtech have adapted technology for, cricket is of big interest and they now have their eyes on the huge market that the sport garners. Mohammad breaks down their clients into 4 categories: Rights holders like UEFA. Federations and leagues like the UAE Pro League, Serie A, Brazil Football Federation and a few more. Clubs - Crystal Palace, Benfica and they are now speaking to a few more top clubs in Europe. Broadcasters - Bein Sport, Sky Sport and recently in the US with Telemondo. Using the Sponixtech technology, leagues have created replay goals during the 90 minute live game to enhance fan experience.  

To learn more, visit http://sponixtech.com

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Petr Zhukov, Founder & CEO at Indigo SportsTech

Founded in 2019 Indigo Sports Tech focuses exclusively on sports tech ventures and participated in Seed pre-A and A rounds. With a segment focus spanning from smart wearables and gadgets to sports media and marketing, fan engagement and e-sports. The fund's geographic focus is the EU, but it also has exposure to the US and Israel. With 9 investments and 3 exits Indigo is one of the most experienced investors in this space worldwide.

In this conversation, Petr talks about the origins of Indigo SportsTech that stems from Indigo Capital. It was established in 2019 as an early stage investment fund. Pioneers in sports tech investments in Europe, Indigo SportsTech has started to make investments overseas and across sectors. He also discusses the new Association with SportsTechX as Rohn joins in as a Venture Partner. Petr also gives us an insight into the deployment of a new fund that has a rich pipeline of good companies. He also notes that AI will penetrate the sports market soon enough and we are currently picking our bets. There’s the application of AI in all areas of sport and there's a lot of money to be saved and to be made.  

To learn more, visit http://indigosportstech.com

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Vasu Kulkarni, Partner at Courtside Ventures 

Courtside Ventures is built on the backs of highly specialized sports and media entrepreneurs and investors. They look to utilize  industry networks and deep domain knowledge to bring unparalleled value to the companies that they invest in and support. 

In this conversation, Vasu discusses his love for playing basketball that led him to starting his first software company in 2008. He highlights his struggles to raise funding from VC’s and getting them to believe in the sports area. He talks about Dan and his willingness to back them up as they went on to set up a one of a kind (at the time) sports focused fund. And that set them off onto their journey of letting people know that sports is actually an investable industry. 7 years later, they are now on their third fund and over $200 million under management which is a great stamp of approval. 

To learn more, visit http://www.courtsidevc.com

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Machar Reid, Head of innovation at Tennis Australia and General partner at Wildcard Ventures

Wildcard Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on SportsTech startups, led by Tennis Australia and supported by prominent figures in the tennis industry.

In this conversation, Machar discusses the Australian Open's objective of becoming the most accessible and enjoyable sports event globally. To accomplish this objective, they continuously invest in  innovation. He elaborates on how, a decade ago, the Australian Open perceived innovative ideas from a client's perspective, but now they view these ideas from the lens of an investor. This strategy allows them to achieve higher returns rather than expending resources to adopt new innovations. Machar, also discusses the startups that AO Startups & Wildcard ventures has invested in and how they are not limited to supporting tennis but also emerging racquet sports.

To learn more, visit https://www.wildcardventures.vc/ and https://aostartups.ausopen.com/

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.

Interviewing Max Feldstein, Vice President of Elysian Park

Elysian Park, owned by the LA Dodgers, is a global investment platform focusing on the intersection of sports with health, culture, commerce, and technology. They work across stages from seed to growth to provide companies with perspective, relationships, capital, and powerful strategic resources, their investments include Trailblazer Venture Studio, Draft Kings, COPA90, PitchVision, Fitt Insider, and EP Golf Ventures in partnership with PGA of America, among others.

In this conversation, Max talks about how Elysian Park broadened its key focus area from investing majorly in sports technology & entertainment to now expanding their investments across sports culture, health, commerce & technology. To know more visit www.elysianpark.ventures

Hosted by Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX - Data & Insights about SportsTech startups and the surrounding ecosystem.