An app that supports grassroots sports through effective connection to sponsors has taken out first prize at a globally focused pitch event, hosted by The University of Queensland in collaboration with HYPE Sports Innovation, Ministry of Sport and Advance Queensland.
Co-founder of SportsCube, Jackson Dickfos, showcased their technology designed to address the challenges local clubs face in engaging with their communities.
“SportsCube is a sponsorship marketplace for grassroots sport. We help sporting organisations sell their sponsorship opportunities and save sponsors time and money by streamlining the acquisition process,” Jackson said.
SportsCube along with nine startups from across Australasia and Malaysia pitched their ideas to investors, sports influencers and international delegates. Solutions ranged from blockchain incentivised training programs, platforms that connect online gamers and market places for adventure sport.
Developed by HYPE Sports Innovation and hosted by UQ, the unique three-month startup accelerator champions entrepreneurship and sportstech innovation. By providing access to mentors and investors, the program fast-tracks promising local startups on to the world stage.
The Tech in Sport event also featured keynote speeches from Daniel Cerejido of LaLiga, Debs Majumdar of FoxSports and Janet Gibson, the General Manager of BuzzConnect.
Keynote speaker, Advisory Board member of HYPE Sports Innovation and LaLiga’s Head of Business Development for Russia, Daniel Cerejido, said the event provides passionate young startups with access to collective expertise in what is a booming global industry.
“Startups work alone from the beginning, and they need support to get to the next stage. These events put startups together, provide an important networking opportunity and help answer founders’ question of ‘what to do now?’” he said.
“Even though the competition was high, with an amazingly well-prepared pitch, Jackson Dickfos of SportsCube convinced the jury that his team is ready to get its company to the next level, with its model of helping sports entities at grassroots level to break the barrier that links money coming from sponsorship to professional sports.”
The Austrade Going Global Award was presented to Chris Evans of Quipmo who will have access to a 90-day residency at one of Austrade's global LandingPads. Quipmo is a peer-to-peer gear rental marketplace connecting surf, bike and snow gear owners with like-minded travellers and locals.
The HYPE Sports Innovation prize was won by Moovosity, who will now have direct access to a future HYPE international sportstech event hosted by HYPE. Moovosity exists to revolutionise the way children are taught to move in schools.
Media: ilab Director Bernie Woodcroft, bernie.woodcroft@uq.edu.au, 0402 893 117.
