EU-Startups’ Post

"Output Sports, an Irish sports technology company, has secured $4.8 million in funding. The investment round brings in new support from Apex Capital, Uni.Fund and Dopamine Sports. The financing also includes existing investors Elkstone, Atlantic Bridge and Enterprise Ireland, as well a number of angel investors. Output Sports' technology enables strength and conditioning coaches, sport scientists and rehab professionals to capture and analyse athletic data using a single wearable sensor system. It is currently used by more than 800 sports organisations, including over half of all English Premier League clubs. Output Sports is a spin-out company from UCD and was co-founded in 2020 by Dr Martin O'Reilly, Dr Darragh Whelan, Julian Eberle and Professor Brian Caulfield."

Output Sports raises $4.8M for Sport Tech used by Premier League, NBA, NFL Output Sports, an Irish sports technology company focused on making elite-level sports science simple and scalable, has announced that it has closed a $4.8 million (€4.61 million) pre-A funding round. The investment round brings in new support from, athlete-led, Apex Capital,  European deep tech investor Uni.Fund, and Dopamine Sports. The financing also included existing investors […]

Quiet Week in Sports Tech? The Billion-Dollar Moves Say Otherwise! 🚀 "Sports tech momentum is slowing," they said... Hey #SportsTech community! While headlines might suggest a quiet week, look closer - we're seeing calculated billion-dollar chess moves that are reshaping the entire sports ecosystem. From the NBA's comprehensive biomechanics rollout to a $68M sports tech fund, the industry is laying foundations for massive scale. Here's the recap of this past week: 🏃♂️ Performance & Safety Tech NBA launches comprehensive biomechanics program across all facilities BeOne Sports tracking Hula Bowl with motion capture Sportable acquires Intaneous for advanced sports analytics Oho partners with Tennis Australia for child safety tech 💰 Strategic Investments & Partnerships Scrum Ventures closes $68M sports tech fund KIBI Sports raises $100K for Indian sports development Euroleague Basketball extends IMG partnership to 2036 XR Sports Alliance welcomes first tech cohort 🌐 Crypto & Fan Engagement FC Barcelona teams up with Cardano for fan engagement CoinW becomes LALIGA's Official Regional Crypto Exchange NexusLive launches Real-Time Sports Data 2.0 Major streaming shake-up as Venu Sports discontinues operations Looking at these developments, I'm actually excited about this "quiet" week. Why? Because it shows the industry is maturing. We're seeing less of the "tech for tech's sake" and more strategic, long-term plays. The NBA's biomechanics program isn't just about data collection - it's about fundamentally transforming how we understand and develop athlete performance. 🎯 Full breakdown here: [https://lnkd.in/dxbcAaKR] #SportsTech #SportsInnovation

🔥 Latest Trends in Global #SportsTech 2024 The Philadelphia Phillies raised ~$500 million, valuing the MLB team at near $3 billion. While Endeavor is selling OpenBet and IMG ARENA Sports in a $450 Million deal, which “is a necessary step” for the closing of the proposed Endeavor take-private deal with Silver Lake . Those two stories are just in the last week! Sports M&A is moving from red to white hot 🔥 📢 Here are excerpts from our latest Global Sports Tech VC Report 2024, highlighting the main trends shaping the sports tech landscape. 📈 M&A in Sports: $37 billion+ in M&A deals in 2024 This is a major factor when we refer to strong tailwinds and macro drivers that make us optimistic about the growth of Sports Tech: it's because sports deal flow itself is growing—and in a big way. (see image) 📢 Solutions for Fans: 65% of Total Investments in 2024 Immersive experiences and ticketing have been the primary focus of this investment. Interestingly, about two-thirds has gone towards B2B solutions, shifting the responsibility back to sports teams to drive fan behaviour as they see fit. 🏃 Athletes Lead: As investors and founders The list of names rolls off the tongue effortlessly: Magnus Carlsen, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafa Nadal, Harry Kane. No, we're not talking about attendees at a major sports awards ceremony—we're listing athletes involved in SportsTech startups in 2024, either as investors as founders themselves. An old trend which shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, we expect to see more of this as contracts grow and athletes become increasingly business-savvy. Read More in the latest Global Sports Tech VC Report 2024. If you haven't downloaded it yet, link in the comments...

Dear PPE-industry, sports properties, "The 3 Innovation Strategies for Sports Brands:  1. Building Your Innovation Hub 2. Ad Hoc Introductions 3. The ‘Collective Innovation’ Strategy https://lnkd.in/ekY5dxD5 Instead of pouring resources into your own R&D investments, do map the opportunities to leverage the creativity and agility of startups, like us. It is very cost effective, has virtually 0 risk, and is by far the fastest way for you to turn challenges into opportunities, and to create the new opportunities. We at ACT Head Impact Tracker are keen to change the world for brain safer and healthier place. If you are like that too, let's discuss if we could do it better together. Wether it would be via hardware licensing, "compatible with ACT Head Impact Tracker" concept, or something else > together we can do more, better, faster and be as cost & time effective as possible. The athletes have no time to waste: up to over 10.000 concussions happen each and every day in the United States alone as a result of sports or recreational activities. DM me for more information, or visit www.act-tracker.com

🔥 Latest Trends in Global Sports Tech 2024 ! The Philadelphia Phillies raised ~$500 million, valuing the MLB team at near $3 billion. While Endeavor is selling OpenBet and IMG ARENA Sports in a $450 Million deal, which “is a necessary step” for the closing of the proposed Endeavor take-private deal with Silver Lake. Those two stories are just in the last week! Sports M&A is hot hot hot 🔥 📢 Here are excerpts from our latest Global Sports Tech VC Report 2024, highlighting the main trends shaping the sports tech landscape. ✅ M&A in Sports: $37 billion+ in M&A deals in 2024 This is a major factor when we refer to strong tailwinds and macro drivers that make us optimistic about the growth of Sports Tech: it's because sports itself is growing—and in a big way. ✅ Solutions for Fans: 65% of Total Investments in 2024 41% increase compared to 2023 As we emerged from the pandemic, it became clear that during times of crisis, sports turn to their fans. Immersive experiences and ticketing have been the primary focus of this investment. Interestingly, about two-thirds has gone towards B2B solutions, shifting the responsibility back to sports teams to drive fan behaviour as they see fit. ✅ Athletes Lead: As investors and founders The list of names rolls off the tongue effortlessly: Magnus Carlsen, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafa Nadal, Harry Kane. No, we're not talking about attendees at a major sports awards ceremony—we're listing athletes involved in SportsTech startups in 2024, either as investors or, in some cases, as founders themselves. We've been discussing this trend across our channels for a while, and it's not slowing down. In fact, we expect to see more of this as contracts grow larger and athletes become increasingly business-savvy. Read More in the latest Global Sports Tech VC Report 2024! DOWNLOAD NOW: https://lnkd.in/dGnh2d-u

As I delve deeper into the exciting world of sports tech, I'm increasingly convinced that we stand at the cusp of a transformative era. The recent findings from Drake Star have caught my attention: the sports tech industry saw a remarkable 225 transactions worth a staggering £27.3 billion in the first half of 2024 alone. This represents a significant leap from £16.1 billion last year, signalling a shift in how we perceive sports as an asset class. The narrative around sports investments has evolved dramatically. Once seen as a niche with limited financial returns—remember the adage that “no one ever made a penny on sports”?—this industry is now thriving. Take the NFL, for instance: the average team is now valued at an astounding £5.7 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from just last year and a 77% rise since 2020. These figures not only highlight the financial viability of sports franchises but also the broader cultural impact they have on society. Yet, for many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), acquiring a stake in a sports team can feel like an elusive dream due to stringent ownership requirements and soaring valuations. However, there’s a silver lining: the focus is shifting towards adjacent sectors that are ripe for investment. From wearable technology that enhances athletic performance to fan engagement platforms that create immersive experiences, opportunities abound. Recent M&A activity indicates a vibrant ecosystem eager for innovation. With 99 of the 225 M&A deals in the past six months focused on wearables and performance enhancement, it's clear that the intersection of sports and technology is generating considerable investor interest. Furthermore, we see 35 deals in fan engagement and 20 in media and broadcasting, illustrating the diverse range of investments available. Yet, we must acknowledge that the landscape is not without challenges. As smaller startups strive to make their mark, many find themselves navigating a landscape dominated by established players like FanDuel and DraftKings. This consolidation creates opportunities for investors who can offer support to emerging ventures that show promise. Interestingly, there’s a substantial amount of capital waiting to be deployed, with around £7.5 billion raised in 2023 remaining largely untapped. This presents a pivotal moment for investors looking to enter the sports tech arena. The potential for growth in this sector is not just limited to financial returns; it’s about shaping the future of how we engage with sports, communities, and the experiences that come with them. As I reflect on these developments, I feel a growing sense of excitement. Investing in sports tech is more than just a financial opportunity; it’s about being part of an evolving narrative that intertwines culture, technology, and community. #SportsTech #InvestmentOpportunities #HNWIs #UHNWIs #Innovation #WearableTech #FanEngagement #SportsInvestment

Stupa Sports Analytics Raises Rs 28 Cr in Pre-Series A Round We are thrilled to report that Stupa Sports Analytics, a pioneering sports-tech startup, has secured Rs 28 crore in its pre-Series A funding round, which Centre Court Capital and PeerCapital led! This funding follows their earlier successes, having raised Rs 7.5 crore in seed and pre-seed funding. With this new infusion of capital, Stupa is gearing up for significant moves. Founder Megha Gambhir is enthusiastic about the company's growth trajectory, stating, "This investment will play a crucial role in accelerating our growth. We are committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive innovation in sports analytics globally." Stupa Sports Analytics provides a comprehensive suite of AI-driven solutions, including player performance analytics, broadcasting capabilities, and sports digitization tools. They've established over 15 strategic partnerships with key governing bodies and sports federations, primarily in Europe. Now, armed with fresh funding, Stupa is set to expand globally into markets like the US, UK, Australia, and the Middle East while strengthening its presence in regions like Europe and Asia. The investment from Centre Court Capital and PeerCapital reflects the growing interest in sports analytics and technology. With their support, Stupa Sports Analytics is poised to continue revolutionizing the sports industry and delivering value worldwide. Read More: https://lnkd.in/euSgAXtM #SportsAnalytics #TechInvestment #StupaSportsAnalytics #AI #PreSeriesA #FundingRound

What’s Hot in 2024: VC Funding Deal Insights on Sports-tech Globally   2024 has presented challenging conditions for Sports Innovation and Sports Technology investment. Not only is the landscape maturing, but economic and geopolitical uncertainty has created global macroeconomic headwinds.   US, UK, Indian and European companies have dominated the VC deal landscape so far in 2024, together representing over 80% of all funding. The sports-tech funding slowdown has impacted some countries more than others – especially China, Germany, Australia and Canada who had below-average funding for their leading companies compared to prior years.   To secure funding in today’s challenging market, scale-ups with proven market fit and growing revenues need to put in twice as much effort as they did a few years ago. A key first step is understanding which areas are attracting investor interest and deal flow.   Key highlights for 2024 VC sports-tech investment deals:   Fitness & Gym Digitisation Rapid AI-driven personalisation of everything from weights and training plans to fitness inspiration. Democratisation of fitness in what is becoming a crowded market.   Golf Innovation The acceleration of golf-focussed sports-tech continues.   Fan Engagement and Content Creation Introduction of ‘AI-of-Everything’ and deep personalisation   Sports Betting and Fantasy Esports gaming cafés is the standout.   Emerging Sports & Action Sports Data and digitisation solutions entering the mainstream.   Physical Spaces & Immersive Sports Experiences Pickleball, soccer, F1, golf and action sports – the hottest sports in the world creating local and indoor ‘sport-entertainment’ destinations. 

I've recently spent some time diving into the masterful world of Whai Basketball - a sterling platform trailblazing tomorrow’s Sports-Tech landscape. Did you realise how deeply intertwined technology & sports really are? • Virtual Reality enhancing team tactics 🤯 • Drones for overhead pitch visuals 🚁 • Advanced analytics driving personal fitness regimes 🏋️♀️ All of these innovations are breaking new ground, democratising opportunities, and levelling the playing field for athletes around the globe. But what if I told you central to this is a dynamic team all the way from down under?🇳🇿 Whai Basketball is harnessing the power of advanced technology, detailed analytics and artificial intelligence to make the game of basketball more accessible and insightful. Delving into their interactive ecosystem - consisting of www.whai.basketball and www.whai.community – offers a captivating glimpse into the future of sports. From providing in-depth player performance metrics to creating virtual communities that bring athletes, coaches, and fans closer together, Whai Basketball is transforming how we engage with and understand the game. Imagine this: • A wearable device tracking your moves and shots. • A supportive community challenging you to shoot your shot. • AI giving you advice on improving your handle. That’s the Whai way. They're not just pushing boundaries, they're breaking them and redefining what’s possible. The term ‘Game Changer’ is thrown around a lot these days but when it comes to Whai Basketball, it's not hyperbole, it's an understatement. 🌐 Let us understand one thing about technology, it’s not about replacing the human element- it’s about augmenting it. The drive, determination, and passion that athletes bring to the court cannot be replaced. What Whai Basketball is doing, and doing incredibly well, is providing tools that spotlight these innate qualities & maximise their potential. They’re empowering individuals to shoot for the stars. 🚀 We are standing on the precipice of a fascinating new era in sports technology and it’s pioneers like Whai Basketball driving us forward onto this thrilling frontier. Intrigued by Whai Basketball's breathtaking innovations? Let's have a chat! Let's discuss the enthralling intersection of sports & tech and explore what this could mean for both industries. 🌟 Look forward to connecting.