Queensland sports tech startups will have the chance to pitch to the NRL as part of an innovation program run by the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN).
The collaboration with the NRL and Advance Queensland (AQ) features a 10-week program facilitated by ASTN involving up to eight Sunshine State-based startups keen to work with the NRL on adapting their technologies to meet the needs of the rugby league and its clubs.
The NRL has seven key priority areas it’s keen to pilot technology solutions and products, especially using artificial intelligence (AI).
The priority areas are:
- Strengthen the appeal and engagement for new audiences
- Better engage Culturally and Linguistically Diverse fans
- Enhance the in-stadium experience
- Better enable volunteers and administrators to improve the participation experience
- Boost the accessibility and appeal of stats to drive user engagement
- Elevate the quality of the fan experience for those watching at home
- Advance performance excellence and promote long-term career health for NRL/NRLW athletes
The partnership is part of a broader NRL Magic Round event agreement between the NRL and Tourism and Events Queensland for the event to be held in Brisbane from 2025-2027.
ASTN will facilitate the program, working with the startups and the NRL to help pilot their ideas and solutions, providing mentoring, investor pitch coaching, facilitate industry engagement, and guidance to help them scale nationally.
ASTN’s Queensland manager Nikita Vogel said the startups will score $25,000 each in funding from AQ to take part in the program, which runs from February to April 2025, ending in a showcase event during the 2025 NRL Magic Round in May.
“We’re encouraging all Queensland-based startups and small businesses to apply for this unique opportunity to collaborate directly with one of Australia’s most prominent sports organisations,” she said.
“Businesses will gain access to industry experts, resources, market, customers and new channels that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.”
To take part, you need to have an existing technology or product being developed in Queensland, which is at, or beyond the minimum viable product (MVP) stage – and startups outside sportstech with the potential to tailor solutions to sport and major events are welcome to apply.
“We believe it’s a great way to bring sportstech startups and existing organisations together to solve complex challenges,” Vogel said.
“We highly encourage other sports to get involved in opportunities like this, as we’ve seen first-hand how it can be the perfect platform to inject innovative thinking and drive technological advancements,” concluded Vogel..
Applications are open now, closing on 9 January 2025, before the 10-week tech sprint on from February.
Get more details and apply here.
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