SportsTech Allstars for April: The rise of SportsTech in the Middle East
Podcast episodes from startups, investors and initiatives
Beyond the World Cup: Unpacking the SportsTech Boom in the Middle East.
Following the biggest sporting event in the world, there has been a clear increase in interest in Sports and SportsTech in the Middle East region. This month, we take a look at the SportsTech and innovation landscape in the region. We spoke with a new investment fund, a couple of startups, and an initiative as we uncover the opportunities that the World Cup has brought to the Middle East.
Before we get into it, we have just released our latest report: the Global SportsTech Ecosystem Report 2023. It includes analysis covering the entire world of SportsTech by region, funding and sectors (that we devised a comprehensive framework for). It’s free to download, so head on over and have a read.
Back to the podcast now, here’s a look at what the Middle East has to offer…
Innovation in the Middle East
ABHINAV TANDON, FOUNDING MEMBER & GLOBAL SPOKESPERSON — DA ONE GLOBAL VENTURES
Abhinav talks about why they decided to headquarter in the middle east, specifically Abu Dhabi: all of the interest around sport, the connectivity due to the location & the availability of funds and hunger for innovation. Sports is after all one of the 10 pillars of GCC. Abhinav also spoke about the importance of sports, and outlined the warm welcome that Abu Dhabi gave them, in terms of access to tech and funds.
#CelebSports
AMR EL BEHEIRY, CO FOUNDER & CCO — FANZWORD
Amr talks about how fans are the heart and blood of the sports industry, including stories of how they spend huge amounts of time, efforts and savings each year to cheer their favourite teams. Yet, he felt that there was no platform that helped a fan monetize cheering for their team. This is when Amr decided that there needs to be someone who rewards the fans. Jumping into the startup world in 2019 with his best friend of 30 years, Amr teamed up with Ibrahim to identify a gap in the way sports is consumed globally. Amr says commercial sales and business is their passion but football is their addiction.
#FanzHaveTheLastWord
MALIK SHISHTAWI, FOUNDER — ARAB SPORTSTECH & GAMING EXPO
Malik talks about how everyone now has their eyes on the middle east. With that in mind, The Arab SportsTech & Gaming Expo wants to bring the right audience and stakeholders together, organised by events host Mangusteen. Previously known as the Arab SportsTech Forum, it started out of passion to explore the internet and follow its evolution. Malik first launched the Arab Social Media forum once he identified a gap in the region. The event had 8 editions across 6 countries with attendees who now hold very prominent positions in international companies heading social media or the digital departments, accomplishing their initial mission as a forum. Malik sheds light on the legacy of the World Cup and its impact on development of sport in the Middle East. He also talks about plans to launch an investor and startup matchmaking platform for the region.
#MatchmakingInTheMiddleEast
MOHAMMAD ALI ABBASPOUR, FOUNDER & CEO — SPONIXTECH
Mohammad talks about the importance of customisation, the main solution that Sponixtech offers for various sports. Football, basketball, tennis, paddle, ice hockey and futsal are sports that Sponixtech have adapted technology for, while cricket is of growing interest and they now have their eyes on the huge market that the sport garners. Mohammad breaks down their clients into 4 categories: a) Rights holders like UEFA. b) Federations and leagues like the UAE Pro League, Serie A, Brazil Football Federation and a few more. c) Clubs — Crystal Palace, Benfica and they are now speaking to a few more top clubs in Europe. d) Broadcasters — Bein Sport, Sky Sport and recently in the US with Telemondo. Using the Sponixtech technology, leagues have created replays live, during the 90 minutes, to enhance fan experience.
#SpawningGreatTech
Next up
May will be all about our Global SportsTech Ecosystem Report so likely a break from the themed podcast as we give our partners a chance to present their solutions. We’ll be back in the following months with themes such as the Advent of AI in Sports, SportsTech to help the differently abled, A Women in SportsTech month and plenty more. So stay tuned!
