🎙In lead up to the SportsTech VC Report out early November, we’re kicking off the most awaited investments series. On the first episode, the Sports Tech Allstars presents: Thomas Rudy, Chief Investment Officer at LEAD VC.

In this episode, Rohn speaks with Thomas Rudy about the evolution of LEAD VC's investment strategies in the sports tech ecosystem. They discuss the various funds under LEAD VC, including their focus on health tech and sports innovation, as well as the importance of partnerships with sports organisations. Thomas highlights successful investments like OxyWear and Mustard, and shares insights on current trends in the market, including the merging of sports and health, the future of virtual reality, and the growing significance of women's sports. The conversation concludes with Thomas sharing his excitement for LEAD VC's future growth and upcoming initiatives.

Takeaways

-LEAD VC has evolved from an accelerator to a holistic venture corporation.

-The focus is on investments from pre-seed to Series A and beyond.

-LEAD VC operates multiple funds, including the Lake Nona Fund and the Advantage Fund

-The merging of sports and health is a key trend in the industry.

-Virtual reality faces challenges, while augmented reality is gaining traction.

-Youth sports and women's sports are emerging markets for investment.

To learn more, visit: www.lead.vc/ 

Get in touch with Thomas Rudy at: www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrudy/

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

05:45 Lead VC's Investment Strategy

11:35 Funds and Their Focus Areas

20:06 Success Stories and Market Trends

32:22 Future Directions

🎙For the last episode on sustainability in sports, the SportsTech Allstars Podcast presents: Pierluigi Zacheo, Founder at MyStadium Ltd. 

MyStadium is a Sustainability Consultancy that offers strategic advice for the Sports/Events industry. In this conversation, Rohn and Pierluigii Zacheo discuss the critical role of sustainability in sports, emphasizing the importance of technology and innovation. They explore the definition of sustainability, the various stakeholders involved, and share case studies from Formula E and the NBA. The discussion highlights the complexities of integrating sustainability into operations and the potential of technology, particularly generative AI, to optimize processes and reduce carbon footprints. The conversation concludes with a look at future projects and the importance of aligning with ISO standards for credibility in sustainability efforts.

Takeaways

-Sustainability in sports means creating a circular economy.

-Stakeholders include not just shareholders but also communities and the environment.

-Mapping stakeholders is crucial for understanding their needs.

-Integrating sustainability into operations requires significant effort.

-Sustainability should be part of the organizational culture.

-Data collection is essential for measuring sustainability efforts.

-Generative AI can optimize logistics and reduce emissions.

-ISO standards provide a framework for sustainable event management.

To learn more, visit: https://www.mystadium.net/

Get in touch with Pierluigi Zacheo at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierluigizacheo/

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Sport and Innovation

03:21 Pierluigi Work in Sustainability

05:49 Considering Stakeholders

08:34 Projects and Examples

12:38 Role of Tech in Sustainability

16:07 Creating a Culture of Sustainability

19:48 Opportunities for Innovation and Technology

30:23 Future Plans

32:51 Favorite Sporting Moment

🎙Continuing the focus on sustainability in sports, the SportsTech Allstars Podcast presents: Christian Theil, CEO at turfcoach. 

In this conversation, Rohn and Christian talk about the intersection of technology, sustainability, and sports. They discuss how Turf Coach digitizes pitch conditions to help groundskeepers manage turf more effectively, the importance of pitch quality on game performance, and the company's expansion into other sports. Christian shares insights on sustainability in turf management, future trends, and the innovations Turf Coach is pursuing to enhance their product offerings.

Takeaways

• Turf Coach digitises pitch conditions for better management.

• Christian's background includes sustainable land use at the UN.

• Data analytics helps groundskeepers make informed decisions.

• Pitch conditions significantly impact game performance.

• Turf Coach works with top-tier clubs across Europe.

• The company is exploring opportunities in cricket and rugby.

• Sustainability is a key focus for Turf Coach's operations.

• Future trends include innovations in pitch maintenance technology.

To learn more, visit: www.turf.coach/ 

Get in touch with Christian Theil at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-theil-b87384237/?locale=en_US

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

🎙Focusing on sustainability in sports for the next few weeks, this SportsTech Allstars Podcast presents: Ioannis Konstantopoulos, Sustainability Advisor at InNews.

This conversation delves into the emerging theme of sustainability in sports, exploring its significance, regulatory landscape, and the role of technology and innovation in driving sustainable practices within sports organisations. Ioannis shares insights on how sports entities are adapting to new regulations, the importance of measuring environmental impacts, and the collaborative efforts between sports organisations and technology providers to enhance sustainability initiatives.

Takeaways

• Sustainability in sports has gained momentum in recent years.

• Regulations are now mandatory for sports organisations in Europe.

• Football is at the forefront of sustainability efforts.

• Organisations are moving from voluntary to mandatory sustainability practices.

• Technology plays a crucial role in measuring and addressing sustainability.

• Consulting firms help organisations develop and implement sustainability strategies.

• Real-time data is essential for effective sustainability management.

• Innovative solutions are being developed to reduce environmental impacts.

• Collaboration between sports organisations and startups is increasing.

• The future of sports sustainability lies in supply chain innovation and digital platforms.

To learn more, visit: www.thesportsfootprint.gr

Get in touch with Ioannis Konstantopoulos at: www.linkedin.com/in/ioannis-konstantopoulos-b7b706140/

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

🎙 Last on the Esports World Cup series from the New Global Sports Conference, the Sports Tech Allstars Podcast presents: Andrew Chen, General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz.

Andrew Chen is a General Partner for A16Z GAMES, focused on the intersection of tech and gaming — this includes AI, studios, infrastructure, and consumer apps.

We talk about gaming, fantasy sports and esports in depth. Followed by the things that eSports and gaming could learn from sports to enhance itself, and how storytelling is key in all of it. What are the stories? How do you create that conflict? How do you create these anchor events to bring that together?

Andrew is a prolific writer and for the past decade, he’s written hundreds of essays at andrewchen.com on the topics of startups and user growth. He is the author of the best-selling business book THE COLD START PROBLEM, published by Harper Business, which explores how new startups launch and scale by leveraging network effects. Prior to joining a16z, Andrew led the Rider Growth teams at Uber, and worked at a number of venture-backed startups.

To learn more, visit: https://a16z.com/games/

Get in touch with Andrew Chen at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewchen 

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

🎙 Next up on the Esports World Cup series from the New Global Sports Conference, The Sports Tech Allstars Podcast presents: MJ Acosta- Ruiz, Sportscaster & TV Host at ESPN

MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a television host and sportscaster, currently featured as the anchor of ESPN's Sportscenter and as a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes' Monday Night Football. We have a lovely chat about the takeaways from the Esports World Cup and the New Global Sports Conference.

The Emmy Award winning journalist became the first  woman of color to host a show at NFL Media. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, you can find her working internationally to reach the diverse and growing landscape outside of the U.S. 

With nearly 15 years in the TV & Entertainment industry, she continues her work as an advocate for representation and equality. MJ works closely with women’s empowerment groups such as A Seat at the Table and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. 

To learn more, visit: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/07/mj-acosta-ruiz-joins-espn/

And NGSC at: newglobalsportconference.com

Get in touch with MJ at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjacostatv/

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

🎙 Continuing the esports World Cup series, The Sports Tech Allstars Podcast presents Mike Milanov, Chairman - Advisory Board, Gaming & Esports at Qiddiya.

Mike is a seasoned gaming and esports veteran with a unique blend of industry expertise, entrepreneurial drive and a passion for shaping the future. As Chairman of the Advisory Board, Gaming & Esports at Qiddiya, Milanov spearheads the development of the global gaming and esports hub, the Qiddiya City Gaming & Esports District, ensuring it boldly aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He oversees projects ranging from cutting-edge esports arenas to themed gaming hotels, all infused with the latest technology and architectural excellence. Demonstrating his strategic foresight, Milanov has contributed to developing forward-looking projects in the gaming and esports industry extending into 2050.

Prior to joining Qiddiya, Milanov served for years as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Business Development Officer at Team Liquid. Inspired by his background as a professional World of Warcraft gamer, Milanov brings a "world-first" mindset to Qiddiya. Drawing on strategic thinking and long-range planning, he collaborates with global industry stakeholders to position Qiddiya as the undisputed global epicenter of gaming and esports. 

To learn more, visit: qiddiya.com

Get in touch with Mike Milanov at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thixnation/

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

🎙 Starting the esports World Cup series, The Sports Tech Allstars Podcast presents none other than the CEO himself, Ralf Reichert. 

Ralf grew up as a native gamer with a passion for competition in the physical world as much as the digital. In the late 90s, he founded SK Gaming with his brothers, Tim and Benjamin, as one of the first esports clubs, and competed at the highest level - which subsequently made him fall in love with the industry. Excited to build this industry, Ralf and his team co-founded ESL, and embarked on the quest to build the largest stages for the new sport that turn athletes into stars worldwide. What was intended to be a quick win evolved into a lifelong journey. ESL has since become the largest esports brand, and company culminating in a billion-dollar transaction in 2022 to form ESL Faceit Group - EFG. Ralf has served as Chairman at EFG, on the mission to create worlds beyond gameplay, where esports and gaming collide. In October 2023, Ralf took on the role of CEO at the Esports World Cup Foundation with a mandate to elevate esports to one of the world's premier sports, while expanding the Foundation as a driving force in its development.

To learn more, visit: esportsworldcup.com 

Get in touch with Ralf Reichert at: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ralfreichert 

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

#sportstech #sportsbusiness #sportstechnology #sportsbiz

🎙 For the last week of broadcasting tech on the SportsTech Allstars we have Rajat Baweja: Lead, Content Partnerships & Non Cricket Monetisation at Disney Star

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Star Sports. Any opinions expressed should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the company.

Summary

The conversation revolves around sports broadcasting and how broadcasters monetize  the value of sports rights in India. Rajat Baweja, from Star Sports, discusses the strategies broadcasters use to drive their P&Ls to a positive outcome every year. He further explains that the Subscription revenue and the Advertising revenue are the primary ways broadcasters maximize their revenues in India. They also focus on building heroes and engaging with fans to generate value. Rajat mentions that the merger between Disney and Reliance will likely make the merged entity the most dominant player in the Indian sports broadcast ecosystem. He also discusses the monetization strategies for different sports, such as Cricket and Kabaddi. As one of his specializations, Rajat discusses how Star Sports monetizes sports broadcasting rights through advertising and activations. He explains the importance of keeping sponsors satisfied with their investments by offering them unique engagement opportunities with fans. Rajat shares examples of innovative activations, such as using AI to dub Steve Smith's voice in Hindi and incorporating AR technology into broadcasts. He also discusses the process of keeping a look out for and implementing new activations in sports, highlighting the need for constant market research and higher collaboration within the team. In conclusion, Rajat emphasises the importance of delivering great value to advertising partners and enhancing the overall fan experience for sports lovers. 

Takeaways

• Subscription revenue and Advertising revenue are the primary ways sports broadcasters monetize in India

• Building heroes and engaging with fans are one of the most important strategies for generating value in sports broadcasting

• The merger between Disney and Reliance will likely make the merged entity the most dominant player in the Indian broadcast ecosystem

• Different sports have different monetization strategies, such as sponsorships and advertising, and brand solutions

• The value of sports broadcasting rights in India is influenced by market demand and competition

• Star Sports monetizes sports broadcasting rights through advertising and activations

• Keeping sponsors satisfied of their investment involves offering unique engagement opportunities which helps take the brand closer to fan

• Innovative tech based activations include using AI to dub voices and incorporating AR technology into broadcasts.

• Finding and implementing new activations requires constant market research and collaboration within the team.

• Delivering high value to commercial partners is crucial for success in sports broadcasting

To learn more, visit: https://www.disneystar.com/about-us/sports/ 

Get in touch with Rajat Baweja at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajat-baweja-3730939/ 

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:40 Value of Sports Rights in India

09:40 Managing P&L in Sports Broadcasting

11:55 Challenges and Opportunities in Growing Sports

14:50 Monetising Sports Rights

17:24 Importance of Right Properties 

21:02 Managing Main Sponsors 

24:41 AR Experiences & Contextual Integration

26:49 Personalised Content & AI Technology

29:08 Global Trends in Sports Broadcasting

33:53 Future of Sports Broadcasting

🎙 This week on the SportsTech Allstars we have Francis Casado, Head of International Business Development at 3D Digital Venue.

Francis and Rohn discuss the evolution of digital twins and virtual environments in the sports and entertainment industry. Francisco shares how 3D Digital Venue helps venues modernize and simplify venue mapping, enhance online ticket purchase flows, and improve event discovery for fans. They also discuss the revenue opportunities that digital twins can unlock, such as creating virtual experiences and engaging global audiences. Francisco highlights the importance of mobile technology and the shift towards digital consumption in the industry. He also mentions the company's plans for the future, including implementing AI and expanding their reach to more venues.

Summary

• 3D Digital Venue helps venues modernize and simplify venue mapping, enhancing the online ticket purchase flow and improving event discovery for fans.

• Digital twins and virtual environments have become essential tools for venues to communicate and promote their spaces to fans and customers.

• There are revenue opportunities in creating virtual experiences and engaging global audiences through digital twins.

• The market for digital twins and virtual environments has evolved, with more sports entities and venues recognizing their value and adopting these technologies.

• The use of mobile technology and digital solutions in stadiums and venues is becoming increasingly important for enhancing the fan experience.

To learn more, visit: https://3ddigitalvenue.com/ 

Get in touch with Francis Casado at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscasado/ 

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 

02:52 Origin Story 

06:41 Evolution of Digital Twins in Sports Venues

09:33 Revenue Opportunities of Digital Twins

12:40 Market Maturity and Buyer Education

14:27 Trends in the Digitization of Venues; Role of AI

23:24 Future Plans 

26:36 Favorite Sporting Moment

🎙 This week on the SportsTech Allstars we have Jake Schuster, founder and CEO  of Gemini Sports Analytics.

Jake discusses the evolution of their product and the challenges of selling to sports teams. He highlights the importance of simplifying the user experience and focusing on the needs of decision-makers, such as general managers. Jake also emphasizes the value of early clients and the need to make it easy for investors to connect you with others. He shares his excitement about building a mobile experience for general managers and the potential of componentized models and metrics. Jake also discusses market trends, including the frustration with analytics departments and the untapped potential of tracking data and data visualization.

Takeaways

• Simplify the user experience and focus on the needs of decision-makers.

• Early clients are valuable and should be treated as investors.

• Make it easy for investors to connect you with others.

• Build a mobile experience for general managers.

• Focus on componentized models and metrics.

• Address the frustration with analytics departments and untapped potential of tracking data and data visualization.

To learn more, visit: GeminiSports.ai

Get in touch with Jake Schuster at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-george-schuster-2263a359/ 

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

Sign Up for the Sports Tech Weekly Newsletter for more news, features & insights on Sports Tech: https://newsletter.sportstechx.com/

Download the Global SportsTech Ecosystem Report 2024: https://sportstechx.com/reports/gster2024/

Chapters

00:00 Background

03:09 Lessons Learned as a Founder

08:26 Customer Base and Market Focus

12:15 Working with Investors 

17:22 Product Evolution

21:27 Building a Mobile Experienc

26:03 Market Trends: Frustration with Analytics Departments

27:00 Untapped Potential of Tracking Data 

28:48 Favorite Sporting Moment