Techstars brings accelerator to Melbourne
Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, has partnered with Launchvic, Tennis Australia, and Victoria University to launch an accelerator focused on SportsTech in Australia.
In partnership with government-backed Victoria startup agency, LaunchVic, Australia’s governing body for tennis, Tennis Australia and leading Australian sports science university, Victoria University, the mentorship-driven accelerator program will run for 13 weeks and accept 10 startups on an annual basis.
Based at the iconic Tennis Australia’s headquarters at Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open, and with access to Victoria University’s state of the art sports facilities, the accelerator program will provide subject matter experts from Tennis Australia, Victoria University, and experts from Techstars’ worldwide network to develop exclusive mentorship programs.
The first year of the program will run from March 2020 to June 2020, culminating in a Demo Day event where selected startups will pitch their accelerated business models to key investors and industry leaders.
"This initiative has the potential to transform the sports startup and technology industry in Australia,” said Sam Roberston, Associate Professor of Sports Analytics at Victoria University. “It connects VU, a leading sport science university, with future-minded, progressive organisations such as Tennis Australia and Techstars — all in one of the world's greatest sporting cities, Melbourne."
LaunchVic is thrilled that Techstars, in partnership with Tennis Australia and Victoria University, will provide SportsTech startups with the opportunity to participate in this world-class accelerator program.
“Capturing a share of the growing global SportsTech market, which is projected to be worth USD $93.8B in 2027, presents a significant opportunity for Victoria to leverage its key strength in sport to fuel skilled jobs growth,” said Kate Cornick, CEO LaunchVic.
“We are extremely excited to be partnering with Techstars for this groundbreaking sports technology accelerator, a first for Tennis Australia and sport in Australia,” said Dr Machar Reid, Head of Innovation at Tennis Australia. “It’s going to be an incredibly exciting couple of years for Tennis Australia as we get set to welcome startups from around the world, all with the aim of improving the world of sport and how we do things at Tennis Australia and the Australian Open.”
“Melbourne is the sporting capital of the world,” said Will Robinson, VP of Asia Pacific at Techstars. “By partnering with LaunchVic, Tennis Australia and Victoria University, we are poised to deliver an invaluable program to entrepreneurs transforming the world of SportsTech.”
Applications for the 2020 Techstars SportsTech Melbourne Accelerator will open in September. Startups interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to contact Techstars to learn more.
To arrange an interview with Sam Robertson, Associate Professor Sports Analytics, contact Frances Atkinson, External Media, (03) 9919 4061, 0435 960 793.
