JumpStart Inc.’s Post

Sportstech is a growth engine. In 2022 alone: • 1,014 new deals worth $90B • 6x YoY increase in M&A activity • 19 $100M raises and 9 $500M raises Plus, Ares Management Corporation, RedBird IMI (RedBird Capital Partners and International Media Investments), Will Ventures and more raised over $5B in new capital — planning continued investment in the category’s rise. A global pastime and source of entertainment, sports was already an endlessly profitable business. Now, add skyrocketing innovation to the equation, fueling ramped up ancillary revenue across esports, fan engagement platforms, multimedia, performance tech, apparel, and more… Growth potential appears limitless — a win for athletes, leagues, and fans alike.

Sportstech is a growth engine. In 2022 alone: • 1,014 new deals worth $90B • 6x YoY increase in M&A activity • 19 $100M raises and 9 $500M raises Plus, Ares Management, Redbird IMI, Will Ventures and more raised over $5B in new capital — planning continued investment in the category’s rise. A global pastime and source of entertainment, sports was already an endlessly profitable business. Now, add skyrocketing innovation to the equation, fueling ramped up ancillary revenue across esports, fan engagement platforms, multimedia, performance tech, apparel, and more… Growth potential appears limitless — a win for athletes, leagues, and fans alike.

Our monthly report series at SportsTechX has got a got amount of attention already. If you haven't seen it yet, can check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eMT-G8Dy Essentially we present a monthly summary of the investment activity in #SportsTech The numbers below represent a sluggish start to the year. For context, the going at the same pace would see the numbers fall below 2023 levels. And that was definitely a very slow year. That said, we're still optimistic given everything we hear about new funds entering the space and the general market outlook 💰 The pickup is around the corner, only question is how fast we're moving ❓ Our SportsTech Ecosystem Report 2024 will be out in a couple of weeks. Get in touch if interested in getting featured or partnering up 🚀

We’re dangerously close to Glue Yourself to the Couch and Not Move For 16 Hours SZN. This week, we're exploring the venture scene behind the games we love, focusing on Sapphire Sport, a firm that's fueling the next age of innovation in sports and tech. Founded in 2019, Sapphire Sport is leading the charge in early-stage startups at the intersection of sports and tech (#sportstech). With average check sizes ranging from $3-$10 million and an oversubscribed Fund II raising $181 million, they're making waves in the industry. Their portfolio includes exciting names like Manticore Games Inc., a massive metaverse, Buzzer, an API service for streaming platforms, and PlayVS, a platform for organized scholastic esports. The global sports industry is growing rapidly, expected to reach $623 billion by 2027. With sectors like #Esports, #SportsBetting and #Fantasy, and #Media and Tech on the rise, Sapphire Sport is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. Founded by industry veterans Doug Higgins and Michael Spirito, the team combines unique industry and financial expertise to find the biggest sports brands of tomorrow. Want to dive deeper into the world of sports innovation? Check out the full article below:

🚀 Riding the Next Champions Wave with Sport Faction 🎮! 🏆 At Sport Faction, we're not just creating mobile games; we're pioneering a revolution at the crossroad of sports and technology. 🌐 Our secret sauce? Leveraging athletes' Intellectual Properties (IPs) to craft immersive mobile gaming experiences. 🌟 Athlete's NIL: Monetization Powerhouse 🌟 In this era, Athlete's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) are the untapped gold mines, and we've placed them at the core of our monetization strategy. It's not just about games; it's about creating a dynamic ecosystem where the next wave of champions can shine both on and off the field. 💡 Paving the Way for the Future 💡 We're on a mission to empower the next generation of athletes, entrepreneurs, and companies. Whether you're a visionary athlete ready to amplify your brand, an entrepreneur looking to ride the wave, or a company eager to be part of this dynamic shift, we want to hear from you! 🤝 Let's Connect and Shape the Future Together 🤝 Join us in this exciting journey where innovation meets sports, and together, we'll ride the wave of champions. If you're ready to be part of the game-changing movement, let's talk! Your next victory is just a conversation away. 🚀🏀 ⚽ 🏈  #SportTechRevolution #AthleteEmpowerment #NextChampionsWave

Recently, there has been a noticeable rise in athletes getting involved in private equity and venture capital. A few days ago, Scrum Ventures announced that Washington Wizards Forward Kyle Kuzma was joining the firm as a sports advisor. This is a trend that will continue to grow over time. Why? Because several benefits can be derived from this kind of partnership. Outside of the capital, athletes can provide VC firms: • A unique perspective & experience • Access to new markets • Exposure & distribution For athletes, VC firms can provide: • Career development & educational opportunities • Additional revenue streams • High-level connections As long as the partnership is genuine and intentional, there is a ton of value that can be created on all sides. #sportstechnology #sportsbusiness #venturecapital https://lnkd.in/e_vGDSEs

Fan engagement in the sports industry is going through some major shifts. The Global Sports Innovation Center, powered by Microsoft, spotlights fan engagement as a core focus for the dynamic sports industry. 🏟️⚽️ Navigating the challenge of captivating both younger generations with shorter attention spans and older generations seeking modern tech experiences is pivotal. 📱👥 Tailored in-stadium and online experiences are key. As sports undergo a transformative shift, there's a unique opportunity for sports tech startups to bridge generational gaps and redefine fan engagement. 🚀⚡️   #SportsInnovation #FanEngagement #InvestmentOpportunity #VC #SportsTech #GenerationalShift

🚀 Sports Tech Founders Know... When it comes to show time, there is zero room for error. That's why the initial stages of showcasing and piloting are critical. But first, you need to get past the 'Big Brand Risk' barrier... 🌟 Introducing HYPE GVA 4.0 🌟 Designed over years, for Sports Tech Founders to: 💡 Fast-track your access to decision-makers at global sports properties 🔍 Discuss, plan, and approach potential risks in a safe environment 📈 Build a portfolio of pilots to grow business traction and deals Don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity! Spaces are limited and filling up fast. Apply now before it's too late! 🏃♂️ https://lnkd.in/dWxy7UBU #SportsTech #SportsBusiness #HYPEGVA4 #SportsIndustry

{𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴} Next Wednesday the 📅 12th of June at 🕕 18:00 CET: 𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 - 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 🎙️ Chris Traeger, Executive Director, Boomtown Accelerator 🎙️ Kerry Carter, CEO, Atavus Football 🎙️ Timothy Brownstone, CEO of KYMIRA 👨⚖️ Fernando Moncada Rivera, Senior Reporter, Global Corporate Venturing The world of sports is changing rapidly. Its convergence with media and gaming has been revolutionising how audiences consume and interact with sports, and technologies that are initially developed to help athletes on the field or court are routinely expanding to mass audiences. The investment landscape is ripe with opportunities cutting across multiple sectors, and the savviest investors are looking to redefine the boundaries between sports technology, performance, and entertainment. But where are the best opportunities for investors? Where is the smart money going and what is still pie-in-the-sky? #Sports #Technology #Media #Gaming #Investment

Here’s some of what happened in sports tech this past week 📰 👇 • Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia announces new $100 million state-of-the-art facilities.  • Tiger Woods' TMRW Sports inks ESPN deal. • Jeff Zucker and RedBird Capital Partners acquired a stake in Front Office Sports at a $40 million valuation. • Shift4 acquired the sports and entertainment division of SpotOn for $100 million. • FantasySpin acquires BettorFantasy. • Avenue Capital Group launches a dedicated sports fund. • BLAZESOFT introduces Zula Casino and reveals a $10 million investment into its upcoming sports venture. • seasonshare raises millions in a seed round. • Tiger Woods' TMRW Sports also partners with SoFi for naming rights. • LALIGA and Globant are rebranding their Liga Tech joint venture as Sportian. • Ultimate Fighting Championship and 4D Sight are teaming up. • Premier League Productions partners with Genius Sports to deliver ground-breaking Premier League Data Zone. • NFL Alumni and Aventus announce Web3 partnership to empower retired players. • Electronic Arts (EA) partners with Stats Perform. • PrizePicks announces marketing partnership with Braves Development Co. Want more sports tech news? Subscribe to The Hype Report 📩 #linkedinsportschallenge #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry https://lnkd.in/edcqg8Z3