HYPE Sports Innovation (HYPE), a global platform which facilitates connections and investments among the sports innovation ecosystem, today announced the launch of the first ever Blockchain accelerator for Sports Tech. The program will feature 14 week accelerators for 10 of the leading startups from around the world focusing on blockchain for sports technology. The accelerators will run globally, and startups selected for the 2 bootcamps will participate at the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport at New York University as well as the ISDE Higher Institute of Law and Economics in Barcelona.
Interested companies can learn more and apply for the program by visiting the blockchain accelerator homepage.
Blockchain technology is already revolutionizing the sports industry with its many unique applications. Italian soccer club Juventus launched the “Official Fan Token” to enable the clubs’ 340 million fans worldwide to interact with and create a personal connection to the club, while the LA Kings of the National Hockey League launched the first augmented reality blockchain authentication platform, utilizing blockchain’s authentication features to ensure fans can easily verify the authenticity of their memorabilia purchases.
“The accelerators are at the heart of everything we do at HYPE,” said Bernd Wahler, Chairman of HYPE and former CMO of Adidas. “Sports has the unique ability to create magical moments for players and fans alike and technology is changing the way we experience and share those moments and celebrate our sports heroes. Our team at HYPE is always on the lookout for innovators and entrepreneurs that can make a meaningful impact on the games we all grew up loving.”
HYPE’s blockchain accelerator is the 12th unique accelerator program offered by HYPE and is designed to identify the most promising companies working on blockchain applications, and aid them in their quest to improve the world of sports. The program includes an intensive two day bootcamp, personalized mentoring processes, weekly remote classes from top experts, and access to an unrivaled ecosystem all culminating in a demo-day in front of partners, investors and sports clubs. To date, HYPE has 11 accelerator programs partnered with leading sports brands such as FC Cologne and Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as universities such as University of Queensland, George Washington University and Loughborough University.
“We are very excited about launching the world’s first blockchain accelerator,” said Dr. Ilan Hadar, CEO of HYPE. “While blockchain is a relatively new technology, it has limitless potential, particularly when it comes to sports. With the launch of this new accelerator, we will provide the entrepreneurs in our program with unmatched access to our global network of teams, investors and partners, helping turn their startups into real game-changers and market leaders.”
HYPE leverages an ecosystem of over 11,000 startups, 750 Investors and VCs, 450 global sports teams and 40,000 members worldwide to offer accelerator participants unrivaled resources in the world of sports technology. Of the 125 graduates of the 11 existing accelerator programs to date, 58 have signed equity agreements with HYPE, 27 have raised significant funding during the accelerator cycles, and 4 have signed major deals with strategic partners.
