Comcast NBCUniversal Launches SportsTech, A Global Accelerator for Sports Technology Startups
January 14 2020 - 09:00AM
Business Wire
Unique international partnership combines
Comcast NBCUniversal, one of the world’s largest sports content
distributors, with six iconic sports brands and venture capital
expertise
Applications open today through May 15;
Inaugural class begins in August 2020
Comcast NBCUniversal today announced the launch of SportsTech, a
global accelerator for sports technology startups. SportsTech will
feature an unprecedented partnership of three of Comcast
NBCUniversal’s sports brands – NBC Sports, Sky Sports and Golf
Channel – alongside NASCAR and two US Olympic sports organizations:
U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USA Swimming. Comcast Ventures, the
company’s San Francisco-based venture capital arm, will round out
the partnership. Each partner will serve on an advisory committee
that influences the innovation priorities of SportsTech, and each
will provide startups with direct access to strategic industry
relationships, mentorship, and partnership opportunities.
Early stage startups from around the world are encouraged to
apply for the inaugural class, which will begin in August, at
www.comcastsportstech.com.
Based in The Battery Atlanta/SunTrust Park, where Comcast
Cable’s Central Division headquarters are located, the new
accelerator is designed to provide sports tech startups with the
resources and relationships to succeed by giving them access to a
broad international consortium of advisors, a custom sports tech
curriculum shaped by industry experts, and investment capital.
Partners will have early exposure to emerging sports tech trends
and technologies that cross multiple sports, gaining insight into
how these technologies can potentially reshape and benefit their
businesses.
SportsTech is the third accelerator created by Comcast
NBCUniversal in the last three years, joining LIFT Labs
Accelerator, powered by TechStars, based out of the company’s
global headquarters at the Comcast Technology Center in
Philadelphia, and The Farm, powered by Boomtown, located in
Atlanta.
“We are delighted to introduce SportsTech to our suite of
accelerators to help founders build sports technology and products,
refine their business models, tell their stories, and benefit from
the unique assets and talent of Comcast NBCUniversal,” said Sam
Schwartz, Chief Business Development Officer, Comcast Cable.
“Comcast NBCUniversal has some of the most prominent sports brands
and we are excited to partner with founders through
SportsTech.”
“The demand for sports technology across the globe has never
been greater, yet most sports startups don’t have access to the
resources they need to succeed nor an ability to develop
relationships with the right people inside the industry,” said
Jenna Kurath, Vice President of Startup Partner Development,
Comcast Cable. “SportsTech will provide the curriculum and platform
for founders to develop their ideas while obtaining mentorship from
leaders in multiple sports, enabling them to further deploy their
technologies to dramatically improve sports experiences for
athletes and audiences alike.”
Beginning in August 2020, SportsTech will offer a three-month
custom-tailored program for up to 10 startups. Initial focus areas
will include technologies and products in several key
categories:
- Media & Entertainment
- Fan & Player Engagement
- Athlete & Player Performance
- Team & Coach Success
- Sports Venue & Event Innovation
- Fantasy Sports & Sports Wagering
- esports
- Business of Sports
The deadline to submit an application for SportsTech is May 15.
The selected startups will reside in Atlanta for the duration of
the program, operating out of SportsTech’s flagship location at The
Battery at SunTrust Park, where Comcast’s The Farm accelerator is
also based. It will be directed by Boomtown Accelerators, a leading
accelerator program headquartered in Boulder, CO. Boomtown operates
The Farm for Comcast NBCUniversal and has established itself as a
preeminent home for early-stage startups.
Comcast NBCUniversal has a proud history of supporting founders
and startup communities, dating back to its own founder Ralph
Roberts, who had the vision to see how a small cable startup in
1963 could transform into one of the most innovative global media
and technology companies. In addition to SportsTech and The Farm,
run at the Central Division in Atlanta, the company also offers the
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator. Both accelerators are
currently accepting applications for startups from around the world
to build and refine their business. To learn about the 2020 focus
areas and apply, visit www.ComcastNBCULIFT.com and
www.TheFarmATL.com.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and
technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable,
NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’
largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to
residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides
these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and
security and automation services to residential customers under the
Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news,
entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, television production operations, television
station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and
Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment
companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content
through its pay television services. It also provides
communications services, including residential high-speed internet,
phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast
network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original
content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit
www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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Brian Farley Comcast Brian_Farley@cable.comcast.com 770 825 1438
(mobile)
Matthew Mirandi Berk Communications
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