SportsTech Allstars for March: The Investor Perspective
Podcast episodes with 4 seasoned SportsTech investors
Where are investors looking to place their bets as they fund the next big thing the world of SportsTech?
The billion dollar question, perhaps.
Staying true to the new format of a monthly theme, as promised the month of March was all about Investors.
A perfect segue from February’s theme of Startups focused on Elevating Fan Experiences, in March we looked at the industry from the lens of an investor. And we had quite the line up of investors, some true OGs of the SportsTech investment space mixed in with newer names serving up aces.
Next month, we’re off on a desert safari as we explore SportsTech in the Middle East. A region that is taking sports, and as a result SportsTech, increasingly seriously. Stay tuned for that lineup.
For now though, here are…
The Investors
MAX FELDSTEIN , VICE PRESIDENT — ELYSIAN PARK VENTURES
Max talks about how Elysian Park has broadened its focus from investing primarily in what was traditionally considered sports technology & entertainment to now entering new spheres by making investments across various areas that sports connects with: culture, health, commerce & technology. All of which today is considered a part of SportsTech.
#TheBroadeningDefinition
MACHAR REID , GENERAL PARTNER — WILDCARD VENTURES
Machar discusses the Australian Open’s objective of becoming the most accessible and enjoyable global sports event. He elaborates on how and why the Australian Open has shifted from looking at innovation purely as a client to now through the lens of an investor. Machar talks about some of the startups that AO Startups & Wildcard Ventures has invested in and how they are not limited to supporting tennis but also emerging racquet sports.
#RaisingARacquet
VASU KULKARNI , PARTNER — COURTSIDE VENTURES
Vasu discusses his love for playing basketball that led him to starting basketball analytics company Krossover in 2008, which he exited before setting up a SportsTech dedicated VC fund. He highlights his struggles to raise funding and convince LPs that SportsTech is actually an investable industry. 7 years later, they are now onto their third fund with over $200 million under management. The results speak for themselves. Swish.
#FounderToInvestor
PETR ZHUKOV, CEO — INDIGO SPORTSTECH
Petr talks about the origins of Indigo SportsTech, established in 2019 as an early stage investment fund pioneering SportsTech investment in Europe. He talks about latest trends they find especially interesting: from generative AI to automated content production and more. And also outlines Indigo’s bigger vision of creating a rich ecosystem with multiple moving parts, including a fund, events, consulting services & more.
#InvestingInTheFuture
Next up
In April our focus will shift to SportsTech in the Middle East. We’ll be exploring a region that is growing in importance for sports and SportsTech. Lots of interesting conversations to come so join us!
