#63 Environmental Sustainability through Sports Technology

January 26, 2024

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Were doing some research on the upcoming Olympics and their focus on suitability felt worth highlighting. That and a quick look at our dealflow section means it is picking up.

Feature Story

Environmental Sustainability through Sports Technology

The use of tech in sports has helped with fan experience, athletic performance, broadcasting and a host of other topics. It is also playing a pivotal role in fostering environmental sustainability. 

As the wider tech world devotes more attention to climate change and the importance of greener solutions, sport’s commitment to ‘Net-zero’ is real and manifesting in various ways. Events, sports orgs, brands, everyone is looking to do their part.

This week we take a look at the top initiatives shaping 2024 as a landmark year for sustainability in sports tech, the need of the hour:

 Paris 2024 stepping up to its responsibilities, setting the agenda around sustainability.

 Eco- friendly venues with LEED Certification and climate control facilities are in the growing.

 Sports and tech equipment using biodegradable, recyclable, non-toxic and chemical free materials.

 Investors recognizing the potential of sustainable sports technology and are allocating funds to greener startups.

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Top News from the World of Sports Tech

Netflix has secured a $5 billion dollar rights deal to stream WWE Raw starting January 2025 in a 10 year partnership. Live sports, tu-dum

Retired Japanese star footballer Keisuke Honda has set up a $100 million fund ‘X&KSK Fund’ to help startups in his country.

 Batfast (were on our pod) has joined AO startups with its innovative tennis simulator for fans along with UDU who developed a new spatial controller for AO Tennis Smash. And Trickshot (also been on our pod) to bring immersive highlights and new content experiences with markerless motion capture. See the full list here.

 Infosys is leveraging AI to bring an all new immersive experience for fans, players and media at the Australian Open 2024.

Not SportsTech but you should know:

Sony has confirmed termination of a massive $10 billion merger deal with Zee Entertainment which would have heavily grown Sony’s media business in India and given Reliance- Disney a direct competitor.

Amazon agreed to rescue bankrupt Diamond Sports Group by investing $115 million, thus offering customers DSG subscriptions directly via Prime Video.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has created a multi- year partnership called ‘Electric 360’ with Formula E, Extreme E and E1 powerboat racing to support sustainable technology and grow electric motorsports.

Money Talks:

Tennis legend Andre Agassi, Raine Ventures & others have invested $8 million in Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system to advance pickleball with innovative technology.

Madrid based fitness technology platform Harbiz (formerly Dudyfit) raised €5 million in a round led by Octopus Ventures.

Netherlands based cycling app JOIN raised €1.5 million from a Dutch investor to focus on growth in the US and UK.

Lando Norris’ e-sports and apparel brand Quadrant raised an undisclosed ‘7 figures’ and brought on YouTuber WillNE as its Co-Owner.

UK based fitness dating brand Fitfck raised an undisclosed amount in Series A at a £15 million valuation from Nathaniel Massiah.

EP Golf Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in Eastside Golf’s seed round.

Florida based Fitness Ventures acquired Crunch Toledo, unveiling a multi-million dollar renovation plan as a part of their vision to own 100 clubs by 2027.

Minute Media has acquired North American sports content distribution leader STN Video.

Latest from our channels

 #193 SportCentrAll: The all-in-one Sports App for Clubs, Coaches, Players and Fans

SportCentrAll has built an entire sporting ecosystem that is designed to provide easy and affordable tools to help clubs, schools, athletes, players, coaches and administrators achieve their goals. All in one, single app. Watch the full video here. 

 Here’s a 60 mins snapshot of the most important findings from SportsTechX’s latest Global SportsTech VC Report 2023. Covering data & insights from another interesting year for SportsTech.

 Sports Tech AllStars Recap: VC’s in SportsTech 

 STX Weekly: Last week’s newsletter, in case you missed it.

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