Southampton FC, in collaboration with Sport Republic and Yolo Group, has announced The Future of Football challenge. This initiative aims to discover and support the next generation of sports tech startups. The challenge is open to companies with innovative solutions for football development and fan engagement.
In line with their commitment to innovation, Southampton FC is offering a unique 4-week virtual program, powered by Sport Republic and Yolo Group, to break away from traditional methods and create new opportunities. The challenge welcomes startups and scaleups in the Web3 and sports tech space, with focus areas including football development (such as scouting, training, and game analytics) and fan engagement (including gamification and loyalty programs).
Selected teams will have the opportunity to test and pilot their solutions, participate in tailored workshops, and have direct access to decision-makers at Southampton FC, Sport Republic, and Yolo Group. The program will conclude with teams pitching for a commercial relationship with Southampton FC and a chance to win a £100k development prize for post-program solution development.
Sarah Batters, the Director of Marketing and Partnerships at Southampton FC, expressed excitement about the program and the potential for participants to shape the future of football.
Sport Republic, the London-based owner of Southampton Football Club, is an investment firm in the sports and entertainment industry. Their goal is to nurture high-potential sports businesses and sports tech companies. Henrik Kraft, the Chairman of Sport Republic and Southampton FC, highlighted the importance of powering innovation in sports tech and leveraging clubs for growth and digital transformation.
Yolo Group, another London-based company, is the managing partner for the Future of Football challenge. They specialize in gaming, fintech, and blockchain and operate the Sportsbet.io brand, which is the Main Club Partner of Southampton FC. Tim Heath, GP at Yolo Investments and founder of Yolo Group, emphasized the program’s focus on pushing boundaries, bringing together innovative startups from around the world, and driving innovation in sports tech.
The application deadline for the challenge is February 23, 2023.
Southampton Football Club is a professional football club that plays in the Premier League. Known as “The Saints,” the club has a rich history and is constantly striving for excellence both on and off the pitch.
Yolo Group is a company that brings innovation to various sectors, including gaming, fintech, and blockchain. They are committed to customer-centric products and services and continue to drive crypto adoption and fintech innovation.
For more information and to apply, interested parties can visit the Yolo Group website.