INDIANAPOLIS - Ten organizations have been selected to take part in the 2019 class of the Techstars Sports Accelerator Powered by Indy. This is the first year of a three-year initiative in Indianapolis, supporting innovative startups across many sectors, stages and business models aiming to capture opportunities in sports technology.
The launch of the Techstars mentorship-driven program was announced last summer by founding partner organizations, including the Next Level Fund, Indiana Sports Corp, NCAA and Pacers Sports & Entertainment, in addition to the supporting partners the Indianapolis Colts, NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In January, Jordan Fliegel was announced as the Managing Director for the program. Fliegel was previously co-CEO of Draft.com, a venture-backed fantasy sports company headquartered in NYC. Before DRAFT, he was Founder and CEO of CoachUp.com, the leading sports coaching platform with more than 25,000 coaches.
Techstars, in collaboration with the partners, selected the following 10 organizations to take part in the inaugural class in Indianapolis: Sixth Man Technologies; FanWide; WePlayed; Pistol Lake; PlayEasy; Egratta; Million.tv; Project Admission; Fanium; and Track Tennis.
Through the Techstars Sports Accelerator, 10 startups will be selected each of the next three years, beginning this summer, to relocate to Indianapolis for three months for mentorship with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. The Techstars team will recruit, select and accelerate the most-talented companies in the following areas: fan participation, player/driver safety, ticketing, merchandising, athlete performance management and athlete wellness, among others. At the culmination of the 13-week program, startup founders will pitch their accelerated businesses to investors and venture capitalists at a demo day event.
The Techstars Sports Accelerator’s objectives are to foster early identification of key trends for future technology in sport; engage meaningfully with early-stage sports tech companies; embrace technologies and business models that will impact the sports industry; and enhance a culture of internal innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The Techstars Sports Accelerator fund is backed by the founding partners Next Level Fund, Indiana Sports Corp, NCAA and Pacers Sports & Entertainment, in addition to the supporting partners the Indianapolis Colts, NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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About Techstars
Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. Techstars founders connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporations to grow their companies. Techstars operates three divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, and Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 1,700 companies with a market cap of $20 Billion. www.techstars.com
About the Next Level Fund
The Next Level Fund, established by the Indiana Finance Authority, is a charitable trust operating separately from the state and its board serves as its trustee. 50 South Capital Advisors LLC, a global private equity firm with a large Midwest presence, including an office in Indianapolis, administers the fund. The Next Level Fund was launched as part of Governor Eric J. Holcomb’s 2017 legislative agenda.
About Indiana Sports Corp
Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
About the NCAA
The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit ncaa.org and ncaa.com for more details about the Association and its student-athletes.
About Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) is an integrated sports and entertainment company including the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Pacers Gaming, Pacers Foundation, Inc., and operations of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Our team of inspired and dedicated employees has a shared purpose of WINNING through our commitment to excellence, SERVING our local communities and ENTERTAINING our fans and guests. PS&E is based in Indianapolis and was named a 2018 Best Place to Work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
About Hulman Motorsports
Hulman Motorsports is committed to worldwide leadership in motorsports entertainment through its two entities, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and INDYCAR. IMS is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility and the most famous racetrack on Earth. It hosts renowned racing events and series, including the Indianapolis 500 (Verizon IndyCar Series), Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series) and Red Bull Air Race World Championship. INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based sanctioning body for the fastest and most competitive open- wheel racing series, the NLL IndyCar Series.
About the Indianapolis Colts
The franchise has won four World Championships. Since relocating to Indianapolis, the Colts have won 11 division titles, including five consecutive AFC South crowns from 2003-07. The Colts won 115 regular season games from 2000-09, the highest decade total in NFL history, and the team’s 23 consecutive regular season wins (2008-09) set another NFL record. The club won Super Bowl XLI following a 12-4 record in the 2006 regular season, and the Colts reached Super Bowl XLIV after winning the AFC title during the 2009 season. The Colts take great pride in playing an active role in the community and are committed to corporate citizenship throughout Indiana. Leading by example, we hope to encourage and inspire our fellow Hoosiers to participate in the practice of giving back.