ThinkSport

🌟 Relive the Excitement of THE SPOT 2024! 🌟 From over 450 participants and 25 inspiring start-up pitches to panels featuring exclusive insights from Paris 2024, THE SPOT 2024 was truly a celebration of the future of sports. This year’s event brought together an impressive range of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries, sparking lively discussions and groundbreaking ideas shaping tomorrow's sports landscape. Experience the energy, connections, and unforgettable moments that made THE SPOT an essential gathering for the sports industry. Watch now to see how innovation and collaboration came to life! Raise your hand if you were there or wished you were! 👋 #SportsInnovation #Collaboration #TechInSports #TheSpot2024

We’re excited to share an upcoming event this week at the University of Lausanne - UNIL): the 2024 Sport Future Rendez-vous, dedicated to sustainability in major sporting events. Organised by the @Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Sport (CIRS) at UNIL, the event will present the latest academic insights and research findings, followed by a panel discussion with leading experts. 🗓️ Date: 31 October 2024 🕔 Time: 17:00–19:00, followed by an apéro 📍 Location: Synathlon, ROOM 1216, University of Lausanne ✨ Registration is free but required—secure your spot now. An online streaming option is also available (please indicate during registration). Don't miss your chance to join the conversation on sustainability in sport!

🎯 #Athletes in #Innovation At #THESPOT2024, the panel "Athletes in Innovation" brought together leaders from the world of sports and tech, highlighting the growing intersection between athletic performance and entrepreneurship. Panelists included Andrew Steele OLY (Sport First), @Ka Po Tong (AquaBloom), Mike Kurt (Swiss Olympic), Johan Djourou (ASF), Dania Akeel (Motorsport Athlete), and Lea Sprunger - OLY Sprunger (Athletics Project Manager), each sharing unique insights into how athletes are contributing to innovation both on and off the field. 🚀 Ka Po Tong reflected on the advancements in sports technology, noting that during her athletic career, access to such tools was limited. However, with recent developments, young athletes today have the advantage of using data-driven technologies to enhance their performance. She stressed the role of coaches in adjusting training regimens based on these new insights, speeding up the learning curve. 📊 Andrew Steele emphasized the generational shift in how athletes approach performance enhancement. In his early days, performance tools were minimal, but today’s athletes benefit from sophisticated data analytics that allow them to commercialize their performance metrics. He highlighted the importance of athletes embracing entrepreneurial ventures, stating that sportspeople have unmatched resilience—a trait equally valuable in business. 💡 Lea Sprunger and Dania Akeel also underscored how innovation is integral to their respective sports. Lea mentioned how athletes today rely heavily on individualized data to enhance both their health and training programs. Dania, in motorsport, explained how technology and mechanical adjustments continuously optimize performance, proving essential in her sport. Both emphasized the value of athletes acting as the bridge between tech and practical application, fostering better collaboration with brands and innovators. The panel also discussed the increasing trend of athletes turning into entrepreneurs, using their platform and experience to invest in tech startups, as seen with Roger Federer's involvement in On Running. The message was clear: athletes are no longer just consumers of innovation—they are key players in driving it forward. ✨ #AthletesInTech #SportsInnovation #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfSport

🌍 Innovation Across Borders: Global Perspectives Panel At #THESPOT2024, leading voices in sports tech and innovation came together to discuss the future of cross-border collaboration and the role of technology in shaping global sports ecosystems. The panel featured Winnaretta Zina Singer (ThinkSport), Mike Yang (AquaBloom International Sports Technology Group), Alberto Bichi (European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI)), Lama Alfozan (Saudi Arabia Athlete’s Committee), Michel Desbordes (UNIL Sport), and Bill Powell (Entrepreneur & Advisor), each offering diverse insights on fostering innovation in their respective fields. 🚀 Mike Yang emphasized the immense potential of the Greater Bay Area, where #HongKong startups are driving change with cutting-edge AI applications, as seen in SenseTime’s AI-driven sports broadcasting solutions. Lama Alfozan highlighted #SaudiArabia’s 2030 vision, focusing on renewable energy, futuristic cities, and the increasing participation of female athletes in national sports. Alberto Bichi spoke about leveraging public and private funding to elevate #European startups, with collaboration as the key to creating a global sports innovation network. 🏅 Key #takeaways: The panelists reinforced that sports technology is not just about #performance but also about international cooperation and cultural #adaptation. From Michel Desbordes' insights on merging innovation with traditional sports to Bill Powell’s take on transferring lab-grown tech into real-world impact, the conversation explored how sports can be a catalyst for wider technological growth across industries. The future of sports and tech has never been more promising! ✨ #Innovation #SportsTech #GlobalCollaboration #Startups #FutureOfSport

🎤 Cross-Collaboration in Sports: Creating Winning #Partnerships This panel brought together experts from various sectors, each offering unique perspectives on how #collaboration drives #success in sports. 🌍 - Fabrice Bernard, representing Ville de Lausanne, shared how the city fosters dialogue to create collaboration spaces. 🏙️ - Coralie McConnell from the International Olympic Committee – IOC talked about commercial strategies that engage fans on a global scale. 🏅 - Quentin Geromin, from Equip Sport, explained their approach to connecting with athletes through tech and partnerships. 🤖 - Jacob Wessel from On described how ON is #disrupting the industry, prioritizing innovation. 👟💨 - Matt McKie, a seasoned consultant with experience at Nike and Manchester United, emphasized the importance of tech and #fanengagement, from blockchain to the metaverse. 🌐 One standout example was Matthew's experience at Manchester United, where they leveraged #blockchain and #NFTs to engage 1.1 billion fans worldwide. Quentin also revealed that while football is popular, #basketball reigns supreme on their platform. 🏀 As the panel wrapped up, the speakers highlighted future strategies, like Equip Sport's ambition to expand across Europe and the US with 10,000 stations by 2028 and the exciting collaborations ON is building with athletes who align with their values. 💡 #SportsInnovation #Collaboration #TechInSports #TheSpot2024

🎤 Innovation in #Football: Insights from Juventus Football Club ⚽ In a 1:1 interview at #TheSpot2024 with Haley McInnis (Comms Manager at ThinkSport), Carolina Chiappero (Innovation Manager at Juventus FC), shared key challenges and future plans for innovation in football. 🚀 Juventus has launched an #acceleration #program to test new technologies and collaborate with startups, targeting people interested in training with the club. One of their biggest challenges? Building an #innovation #ecosystem in Italy, similar to what exists in Vaud. Carolina highlighted the need to create curiosity internally, merging solutions with the needs of staff and fans. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - #Buy-in #phase: Football clubs are still in early stages of innovation adoption. - Innovation #KPIs: Focus on merging quick wins (like generating revenue) with long-term impact. - #eSports: Seen as a valuable asset for #sponsorship and tapping into new solutions. 🎮 Carolina emphasized that innovation is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a must-have. The next steps involve creating a consistent #narrative and aligning innovative ideas with #revenue #generation. 💡 #InnovationInFootball #Juventus #Startups #SportsTech

🎤 Panel Recap: Collaborate to Innovate – Hype or Tangible? This insightful panel, introduced by Charles Frémont from UEFA, dove into how innovation drives change in sports and beyond. 🌍 He shared UEFA’s success story: the most sustainable Champions League final, made possible through partnerships with JUST EAT and My Emissions. Looking ahead, similar innovations are planned for Munich 2025 in collaboration with Mastercard and adidas. ⚽🌱 The panel featured experts from startups (Mathieu Falbriard, Bearmind), health (Jennifer Wegrzyk Masset), digital (Thomas Wüthrich), and human rights (Guido Battaglia, Centre for Sport and Human Rights) sectors, discussing the #InnovationBooster led by ThinkSport. From blockchain governance with Web3 to insights on health tech, these leaders illustrated how cross-sector collaboration is shaping the future of sports. 💡🤝 #Innovation #SportsTech #Collaboration #Sustainability

✨ THE SPOT 2024: kick-off 🏟️ The energy at #THESPOT2024 is palpable, with innovation taking center stage in the world of sports. Kicking off the event was Andrea Traverso and Claudine Breton, who underscored the growing importance of #innovation in sports—from data processing and performance analysis to the rise of e-sports. However, many sports federations still face challenges, like limited full-time staff to manage these evolving technologies. She expressed heartfelt thanks to sponsors and speakers for their invaluable support, setting a collaborative tone for the day. 🤝 Next up was Raphaël Conz from the Canton of #Vaud, who took the audience on a deep dive into Vaud’s innovation ecosystem. He highlighted the canton as a unique hub of scientific expertise and technical know-how, home to over 80,000 talented professionals. 🌍 With 50-60 start-ups emerging each year and a growing 2.588 billion CHF invested in Swiss startups in 2023, it's clear that Vaud is at the forefront of fostering entrepreneurial spirit. Key sectors like ICT, food & nutrition, and precision engineering are thriving, making the canton a key player in global innovation. He also touched on the invaluable services Innovaud provides to new businesses, from location scouting to financing support, making it a true one-stop shop for innovation. 🚀 Omar El Zayat, the keynote speaker from #paris2024, shared some impressive innovation stories from the upcoming #OlympicGames. Paris 2024 has embraced trial-and-error with 44 innovation projects, boasting a 75% success rate. He highlighted initiatives like the #MarathonPourTous (with half a million participants) and innovations like blind football, where visually impaired athletes use sound balls, and vision pads to enhance the experience for visually impaired fans. The message was clear: innovation isn’t just for the athletes, but for everyone involved in the games. ⚽👓 #InnovationInSports #Paris2024 #UEFA #Lausanne #Vaud #Startups #Sustainability

🚀 It's showtime! We’re thrilled to welcome an incredible group of speakers to THE SPOT this year! Get ready to hear from industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers who are driving the future of sports, tech and beyond. 🔥 From trailblazing athletes sharing their stories of resilience and innovation, to top minds in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and tech, we’ve curated a diverse range of experts ready to inspire and challenge the status quo. See you tomorrow! 😊 www.thespot.ch #THESPOT2024 #ThinkSport #Innovation #Lausanne #Leadership #Networking #Inspiration #FutureOfSports

🕠 We're thrilled to kick-off THE SPOT with an evening of connecting at tonight's apéro! 🥂 This is the perfect chance to make valuable connections and set the tone for tomorrow's event at SwissTech Convention Center. Let’s make this an unforgettable experience! 👏 For anyone still wishing to join, grab your last minute ticket: www.thespot.ch #THESPOT2024 #ThinkSport #Innovation #Networking #Lausanne