The Minnesota Twins announced Thursday that they chose 10 sports-industry startups for the third cohort of its Techstars Accelerator program.
Three of the companies are based in Minneapolis, with the rest spread across the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom. Each startup will receive mentorship, networking and possible funding.
The companies chosen aim to provide innovative solutions for the sports industry. Their services range from AI and software, management and administrative platforms, advertising solutions and data technologies.
“Each of these companies has the potential to positively disrupt the sports, entertainment and tech industries,” said Chris Iles, the Twin's senior director of innovation and growth, in a statement.
The program will be held in the Ford Center near Target Center and run Nov. 6 through Feb. 15. Each startup will be given mentorship from a variety of industry professionals, including the Techstars network, Minnesota Twins mentors and senior leadership, the broader sports tech ecosystem and the startup community.
“This year’s class continues to reflect the significant role that technology and data-driven solutions are playing in various aspects of the sports industry, including fan engagement, sustainability, sponsorship management, and performance analytics,” said Sarah Bain, who was hired earlier this year as Techstar’s new managing director.
Here are the Minneapolis-based startups:
- Camperoni: This software platform provides parents resources and automation toward the administrative work of scheduling kids’ camps and activities.
- Refr Sports: This referee-management platform provides streamlined solutions for sports organizations and referee assignors to schedule referees and facilitate payments. It was also a Minnesota Cup 2022 divisional winner.
- SportsVision: This AI platform takes videos from various devices and turns them into game strategies, providing personalized insights to athletes and teams.
Here are the other seven startups:
- Calgary, Alberta-based Cup Carrier Media: This company provides concessions-based advertising solutions, mainly through its portable billboards made out of drink carriers.
- Columbia, Maryland-based Gudea: Gudea helps companies track how information flows into online communication networks so they can target the most important junctures to amplify their message.
- London-based Lowr: This data technology company wants to track and provide insights to reduce the carbon footprint of fan and employee emissions.
- Toronto-based PandoPartner: This platform aims to centralize and automate sponsorship management.
- Chicago-based PromoShare: This software platform streamlines and connects sports advertising with local fans so that events can be promoted through organic social content.
- Miami-based Reifi: This company wants to reimagine sports finance. It allows pro sports teams to add security to athletes’ contracts and reduce financial risks of player underperformance.
- Atlanta-based The Playbook: This athlete-training tracker helps high-level athletes track their performances, as well as treat and improve overall well-being.
