Startups & Venture Capital in Sports Tech

Venture Capital at Money In Sport 2018

VENTURE CAPITAL

GROWING INVESTMENT IN STARTUPS & SPORTS TECH

26 September 2018

Since 2012, investment in sports related startups has been growing at almost 30% year on year. One of the major areas for investment has been sports tech, and as an industry that is changing everything from how athletes train to how fans engage and consume sport, the level of investment in this space is only going to increase.

Money In Sport 2018 will have a major focus on investment in sport and technology, including sessions on venture capital and startups featuring leading entrepreneurs in sport and business.

Find out how investment in startups and new technology is shaping the future of sport.

2018 Money In Sport Delegate Passes available here.

CONFERENCE SESSION: THE FUTURE OF SPORT

Day One 9:30am - Money In Sport 2018

Some of the sharpest minds in the business of sport, David Meltzer & Joey Brander, will take a look at what 2019 and beyond will bring for the sports industry.
Joey Brander - President at First Serve Partners
Joey Brander, President at First Serve Partners

JOEY BRANDER

Combining over a decade of experience with an ability to uniquely engage the millennial demographic, Brander has consulted for multiple Fortune 500 companies with a focus on creating sports and entertainment content.

Brander is currently the President/Managing Partner of First Serve Partners, a leading venture capital firm that invests in sports, media, entertainment, and technology for emerging generations.

WORKSHOP: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TURN YOUR IDEA INTO REALITY?

Featuring Patrick Schilling & Michael Seder from Squareknot Australia

Money In Sport presents a dedicated workshop for entrepreneurs and investors in sport. The session will be hosted by Squareknot Australia, who are bridging the gap between growth companies and investors.

This workshop will provide delegates with expert advice to ensure your startup gets the best possible funding.

MONEY IN SPORT

2018 MAJOR PARTNERS

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If You Want To Be Successful, You Must Stay Relevant!

IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU MUST STAY RELEVANT!

LUKE PACECONFERENCE MANAGER - MONEY IN SPORT

It’s 10pm on Sunday night. Monday morning anxiety starts to creep in…

Am I prepared for my meeting?

Is that potential client going to sign?

Are the team fresh and ready to achieve our goals?

So many short weeks in a row! How can we stay on top of it all?

More questions than answers brings uncertainty…. Uncertainty brings anxiety.

It’s just a Monday, you have been here before, you can do this!

This Sunday night is different, it’s late November and you are flying to the Gold Coast on Wednesday for your first Money In Sport Conference. You now have mixed emotions, you are going be collaborating with the sports industry elite before you know it.

More questions….

What am I going to get out of this?

Who am I going meet?

Can I justify this as professional development?

Will I be able to justify this investment to the board? 

I’m a small business, will there be a deal for me there?

We get asked these questions daily.

The team at Money In Sport believe in what we do, we believe in the relationships formed, we believe in quality on stage, we believe in the opportunities in the room, we believe in the special atmosphere created by the special people at Money In Sport.

2018 will be the fifth edition of Money In Sport, a 3 day conference that takes over 10 months to prepare and plan for. We face many challenges each year, to hold ourselves to high standards set previously, to find new content, new speakers, new delegates.. but we welcome these challenges as we believe in the platform we have created.

Money In Sport is our baby, but it’s not a baby anymore it’s a beast!

Money In Sport has a proven track record of growth, connections, memories, success, learnings & innovation.

It’s your turn to leave your footprint at Money In Sport!

Invest in yourself, your business and your personal growth!

MONEY IN SPORT

01 May 2018
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LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS

Walt Disney, PGA Tour, FFA, and more join Money In Sport 2018WALT DISNEY, PGA TOUR & MORE JOIN MONEY IN SPORT 2018 The latest announcement of speakers for Money In Sport[...]Read More What does it take to turn your idea into a reality?TURN YOUR IDEA INTO A REALITYSQUAREKNOT AUSTRALIA WORKSHOPThe sports technology & startup space has never been so competitive, yet at[...]Read More 7 new speakers announced for Money In Sport 20187 NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED MONEY IN SPORT 2018 We are delighted to announce 7 new speakers for the 2018 Money[...]Read More Australian PGA Championship – Official 2018 PartnerAUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIPOFFICIAL PARTNER OF MONEY IN SPORTMoney In Sport is proud to partner with the Australian PGA Championship for[...]Read More 2018 Naming Rights Partner Announced2018 NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER ANNOUNCEDLONDON FOOTBALL EXCHANGEPress Release: 11 May 2018Money In Sport is proud to partner with the world’s[...]Read More Andrew Westacott Joins Money In Sport 2018ANDREW WESTACOTTCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERAUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CORPORATION​ANDREW WESTACOTT JOINS MONEY IN SPORTCEO at Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC)We are happy[...]Read More 2018 DELEGATE PASSES

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What A Time To Be Alive

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

LUKE PACECONFERENCE MANAGER - MONEY IN SPORT

We live in a world where Instagram makes us aspire to be living another persons life, where dating is done with an online networking app, where we are judged by results and not the process that has lead us to successes, where systems are replacing people and where ever you look there is an advertisement following you around from a google search you performed..... What a time to be alive! 

Regardless of how innovative technology becomes, one thing will always remain certain: People create ideas and people execute them. People form bonds, not iPhones... Technology is merely the tool to assist the process. 

To build trust and create business relationships, a handshake, a smile and listening are still the most effective way to connect. When attending a conference, you are more than just your job title on your lanyard. You are a real person with a story to share. This is your chance to connect, collaborate and create something special. 

Passive aggressively texting or emailing to complete business deals may work out sometimes, but nothing cuts through like a face to face conversation.
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That's the platform we have created for you at Money In Sport. It's personal, intimate, relaxed and designed to break down the barriers you face day to day. In my time at Money In Sport, I have met or spoken with thousands of delegates & potential delegates who couldn't attend for a variety of reasons... the most common being price. What price can one put on reaching your dreams and aspirations? 

INVEST IN YOURSELF

Money In Sport is about investing in yourself. It’s about creating the best version of you. The follow-on affect to your work and personal life is truly priceless. The time to grow is now.

Join the Money In Sport family and access your best self!

MONEY IN SPORT

24 April 2018
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LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS

Walt Disney, PGA Tour, FFA, and more join Money In Sport 2018WALT DISNEY, PGA TOUR & MORE JOIN MONEY IN SPORT 2018 The latest announcement of speakers for Money In Sport[...]Read More What does it take to turn your idea into a reality?TURN YOUR IDEA INTO A REALITYSQUAREKNOT AUSTRALIA WORKSHOPThe sports technology & startup space has never been so competitive, yet at[...]Read More 7 new speakers announced for Money In Sport 20187 NEW SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED MONEY IN SPORT 2018 We are delighted to announce 7 new speakers for the 2018 Money[...]Read More Australian PGA Championship – Official 2018 PartnerAUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIPOFFICIAL PARTNER OF MONEY IN SPORTMoney In Sport is proud to partner with the Australian PGA Championship for[...]Read More 2018 Naming Rights Partner Announced2018 NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER ANNOUNCEDLONDON FOOTBALL EXCHANGEPress Release: 11 May 2018Money In Sport is proud to partner with the world’s[...]Read More Andrew Westacott Joins Money In Sport 2018ANDREW WESTACOTTCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERAUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CORPORATION​ANDREW WESTACOTT JOINS MONEY IN SPORTCEO at Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC)We are happy[...]Read More 2018 DELEGATE PASSES

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The Business Of Sports

THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS

JOEY BRANDERPRESIDENT - FIRST SERVE PARTNERS
By Alan Wink, Waylon Chin, Brian Bernstein, Joey Brander. Edited by Sebastian Gomez Puerto.
Article originally written for Miami Venture Capital Association.

Private Equity investors have made personal investments in sports franchises in major leagues around the globe. These unique investments provide bragging rights, entertainment, and, in some cases, a sizable return. Most private equity veterans view these teams as underperforming assets and believe that they can enhance the organization’s value given their business acumen and strong ties to the community. Rarely is a fund the lead investor in any deal involving a professional sports team. Instead, they invest in other parts of the capital structure, including mezzanine debt or preferred stock. Investing in sports franchises does have a considerable level of risk. For an investment to be successful, all of the stars need to line up – it must be the right team, the right market and the right terms and conditions.

MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS ARE BIG BUSINESS

Today, sports teams and the leagues are big businesses. The National Football League brought in $13B in revenue in 2015/2016 and was followed by Major League Baseball with $9.5B, the English Premier League with $5.3B, and the National Basketball Association with $4.8B. In 2016, the most valuable sports franchise was the Dallas Cowboys, valued at $4B. The next two teams on the list were two soccer clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, valued at $3.65B and $3.55B, respectively. 
Major League Baseball Stadium

SPORTS TECHNOLOGY VENTURE CAPITAL IS BOOMING

Even if you do not have a billion dollars to invest in a team, there are other ways to invest in the business of sports. Investments in the sports tech ecosystem by venture capital is booming. Since 2012, investments in sports related startups have been growing nearly 30% year over year. In 2015 alone, investors put over $1B into sports related startups and this pace of investment is accelerating. 

Technology in sports is dramatically changing how athletes train for competition, how fans view sporting events and the way that fans engage with their favorite teams and players.

DISRUPTION AND INNOVATION THROUGH TECH

Sports is far more than a niche leisure activity. The annual global spend across all sports consumption is $145 billion. Globally, there is an incredible appetite for all things sports and for sports related content. For the major networks, dollars allocated exclusively to sports programming have tripled. From a social media perspective 60% of Twitter’s traffic is sports related. Vast technological improvements in how sports are viewed in the home coupled with high prices for live sports entertainment have even resulted in many teams and leagues experiencing attendance issues. Thus, teams and leagues need to continually innovate and embrace new technologies to create a more engaging live experience for their fans.

JOEY BRANDER

27 April 2018
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The annual global spend across all sports consumption is $145 billion. Globally, there is an incredible appetite for all things sports and for sports related content.
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THE EVOLVING SPORTS TECH ECOSYSTEM

Sports is a global industry and quickly becoming one of the most intriguing markets for venture investing. From wearable devices, to gaming, fan engagement technology, smart arenas, and fantasy sports leagues; sports tech is changing the ways that people compete, consume and engage with sports. Investor dollars are being put into innovations in stadium technology, customer (fan) relationship management, digital content, and analytics on athlete performance.  Here is a common breakdown of the sports technology ecosystem:

  • Analytics  – both for athletes and fan engagement
  • eSports – professional competitive gaming leagues/teams, events, and content platforms
  • Wearables – used by athletes (both competitive and recreational) to improve performance
  • Virtual/Augmented Reality – changing how live sports are viewed at home and in the arena
  • Drone Technology – competitive leagues and action photography
  • Media – Mobile content, athlete-founded media companies, streaming
  • eCommerce/ticketing –models for maximizing the B2C market
  • Fantasy sports – platforms for fantasy sports leagues
WHAT MAKES SPORTS TECHNOLOGY SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE AREA TO INVESTORS?

The sports industry in the United States alone is projected to reach $75B by 2019. Sports fans are some of the most passionate consumers in any industry, and spend long hours and significant dollars following their favorite teams and athletes. As a result, technology that allows fans to more easily engage with the teams and athletes they love comes with an automatic user base and high retention rates. In the sports industry, the customer is easily identified, extremely loyal, and  willing to spend money to support their passions. 

THE RISE OF ESPORTS

One of the most significant revolutions in the sports industry is the rapid growth of eSports, or professional gaming, which is expected to reach two-and-a-half billion dollars in revenue in the next two years. 

Viewership, consumption, and event attendance have continued to rise at unprecedented rates.  Over two weekends, the 2017 IEM World Championship in Poland drew 173,000 fans to the stadium and surrounding festival. It accrued 46 million unique viewers watching online.

In 2016, the League of Legends World Championship saw 43 million unique viewers, more than 12 million more than Game 7 of the NBA Finals that same year. A 2017 study found that males between 18-25 in the United States prefer viewing eSports over traditional sports, and eSports came in second overall in preferred media behind only movies. 

eSports streaming site Twitch has seen tremendous viewership as fans continue to seek an ever growing amount of gaming content. In January 2018, 962,000 was the average viewership on Twitch, meaning that nearly a million people were viewing content on the service at any given time putting them on par with major broadcast outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, and ESPN. In total, Twitch reports over 15 million daily active viewers that spend 106 minutes daily watching live gaming. 

eSports athletes have started to gain international recognition and following comparable to professional athletes across other sports, with many listing millions of social media followers and bringing in six-figures in endorsement deals annually.

Similar to traditional sports, technologies to analyze eSports performance, engage fans in the arena, and train these athletes more effectively have been created.

PRO ATHLETES AS ENTREPRENEUR AND VC

Sports focused venture capital has attracted many celebrity investors, including professional athletes themselves. These athletes understand how technology can be applied to their craft, and can provide startups with true strategic value, such as brand power/recognition and access to millions of potential customers via social media.

PRO ATHLETES TAKE OVER THE SPORTS MEDIA BUSINESS

Leveraging their personal footprint and star power, pro athletes have moved beyond being limited partners in VC funds and companies, and are now directing investments themselves. The trend started with athletes like Kobe Bryant becoming the GP in VC platforms, and evolved into direct founders of content platforms. Notable examples include, Derek Jeter’s The Players Tribune, LeBron James (SpringHill Entertainment/Uninterrupted), Kevin Durant (Thirty Five Media), and Tom Brady (Religion of Sports). They have found a winning formula in monetizing their extensive fan bases with original content. 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

As the business of sports continues to grow, the sports technology space is becoming an increasingly intriguing market for investment. New innovations are changing everything from how athletes train to how sport content is consumed, viewed, and analyzed. The bottom line is as follows, if you make capital allocation decisions as an angel or venture investor, you need to consider an exposure to the sports tech sector. It is one of the world’s fastest growing industries, with material disruption happening today, and a real possibility of asymmetric upside reward. 

2018 MAJOR PARTNERS

Alfa-Romeo-2018-Presenting-PartnerDiscover Queensland

JOIN THE NETWORK

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

HAVE YOUR SAY

MORE FROM MONEY IN SPORT

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