Eight Canadian sport tech startups selected to join Future of Sport Lab
TORONTO, ON, June 9, 2022 – The Future of Sport Lab (FSL) (external link) announced that eight Canadian sport tech startups have been accepted into its acclaimed incubator program.
The selected startups were chosen for their innovative work in athlete performance, fan engagement, venue technology and youth sport sectors. Each of the startups will receive immersive programming in partnership with the Ted Rogers School of Management and world leading business incubator the DMZ, access to leading academics and an opportunity to engage and receive mentorship from leaders across MLSE and the greater FSL network.
“Canada has such a passionate and innovative sport tech community. We are looking forward to working with these eight dynamic Canadian startups from across the country and connecting them to FSL’s network of sport leaders,” said Dr. Cheri Bradish, Founder and Managing Director of FSL with the Ted Rogers School at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
Future of Sport Lab Startups
● BookSeats.com (external link, opens in new window) (Toronto, ON) – simplifying the way fans travel. Allowing users to book custom packages that include any combination of flights, accommodations &/or tickets to events around the world.
● Classlete (external link, opens in new window) (Woodstock, ON) – a membership platform that helps high school athletes balance school, sports and their social life, while offering a unique way to share their stats, GPA & volunteer hours on social media through custom Classlete virtual or printed sports cards and posters.
● DIBZ (external link, opens in new window) (London, ON) – new technology to enhance the fan experience at event venues everywhere through text messaging.
● Drive Hockey Analytics (external link, opens in new window) (Vancouver, BC) – pro-level hockey player and puck tracking leveraging AI and wearable sensor technology for mainstream hockey.
● Innerlogic (external link, opens in new window) (Bedford, NS) – intuitive software that helps sport organizations measure the state of their culture at all levels, ensuring sport environments are not only safe and supportive, but also high-performing and aligned.
● TheProgram.ai (external link, opens in new window) (Halifax, NS) – a new vehicle for delivering sports and fitness content to youth in a fun and interesting way to keep them engaged in a healthy lifestyle and create a lifelong relationship with wellness.
● tiptapSPORTS (external link, opens in new window) (Burlington, ON) – an enhanced touchless payment experience that increases the fundraising potential of sport organizations, and helps venues improve fan experience.
● Vic Park Analytics (external link, opens in new window) (Toronto, ON) – consulting startup identifying the next generation female sport consumer. Through the diversity of its team, Vic Park is identifying and amplifying the voice of the future of the sport industry.
“We are thrilled to welcome a dynamic group of entrepreneurs to the MLSE ecosystem through the Future of Sport Lab,” said Sumit Arora, Vice President Strategy & Analytics, MLSE. “The incubator provides early stage companies unparalleled opportunity to access our organization, our venues, professional sports teams and MLSE Digital Labs for mentorship, leadership and collaboration opportunities. We are excited to see what they have in store this year.”
In addition, for the first time, FSL and its partners have identified five additional startups for other potential Toronto Met and/or DMZ programming, as part of the ongoing efforts to build and support the Canadian sport tech ecosystem.
FSL, an integrated academic partnership between Toronto Met and MLSE, launched in 2018 and has a history as one of the first of its kind in North America. In addition to the functioning lab, FSL offers a custom incubator experience for startups and innovators. As Canada’s global leader in sport innovation, FSL offers dedicated mentorship, agile curricular programming, pilot projects and academic support through the incubator program. Startups that have graduated through the FSL program have gone on to raise more than $30 million in new financing and investments along with securing a number of significant sport business partnerships.
About The Future of Sport Lab
The Future of Sport Lab (FSL) is a collaborative lab for sport innovation created and managed by Toronto Metropolitan University, supported by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). FSL is widely recognized as Canada’s global leader in sport innovation, creating an ecosystem that connects sport properties, industry partners, entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders and scholars. FSL has fostered a number of diverse innovative sport solutions and technologies as well as related insights and education, and to date, startups through the program have raised over $30 million in new financing and investments along with securing a number of significant sport business partnerships.
About the DMZ
The DMZ is a world-leading startup incubator equipping the next generation of tech entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build, launch, and scale highly impactful startups. By providing connections to customers, coaching, capital, and a community, the DMZ’s customized approach helps innovators reach the next milestone in their entrepreneurial journey – whatever that might be. Through its award-winning programming, the DMZ has helped more than 700 startups raise $1.67 billion in capital and create 4,600+ jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada with globally-accessible programming, the DMZ has a widely-recognized international presence with offices in Vietnam and India, and partnerships across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Media Contacts
Greg McIsaac
greg@junctioncommunications.com
Charzie Abendanio
MLSE
charzie.abendanio@mlse.com