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There was no better place to host SportsTech other than New York City. In the city that never sleeps, the intersection of New York and sports is a captivating dance, a vibrant expression of fervor and athletic prowess. Within this concrete playground, where towering skyscrapers scrape the heavens, a unique marriage of ambition and competition thrives. The cheers of adoring fans resonate through the colossal structures of iconic stadiums and historic arenas, creating a symphony that transcends the boundaries of mere spectatorship.
Three members of Hillside Ventures had the opportunity to attend this event and hear from experts within the area. What a great opportunity to build out our vertical and take a further dive into this rapidly expanding industry.
And Hillside Takes the Lead!
During our engagements with sports tech companies, Hillside Ventures was immersed in a landscape of innovation, encountering a myriad of tools dedicated to enhancing different facets of athletic performance. Our exploration revealed companies driven by a shared passion for addressing challenges in injury prevention, fan engagement, rehabilitation, and the optimization of athletes' training processes. Among the standout companies was TopSpin 360, whose revolutionary approach caught our attention. TopSpin 360 showcased a pioneering helmet designed to empower athletes by incorporating spinning movements into their training routines, specifically targeting neck strength to reduce the risk of concussions from contact. In a captivating demonstration, the founder of TopSpin 360 walked us through the product, illustrating its functionality and practical application. The accompanying dashboard provided insightful data and analytics, offering a comprehensive overview of the impact and effectiveness of the training regimen.
Level Up Your Game
The first panel the team attended discussed the future of digital sports. The panel was moderated by Chris Pfaff, CEO of Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC. The conversation was directed towards topics like AR/VR, and AI. The future of digital sports promises a dynamic and immersive landscape, blending cutting-edge technology with the thrill of competition. Esports, already a global phenomenon, will continue to evolve, with advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) enhancing the spectator experience. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated, we can anticipate more sophisticated and realistic simulations, expanding the range of digital sports beyond traditional gaming.
Score Safety
The team found significant value in attending a panel discussion on leveraging technology to minimize injuries, expertly moderated by Julien Blin, CEO of Upside Global. A unanimous consensus emerged among panel participants stressing the critical importance for teams to prioritize comprehensive injury prevention strategies, recognizing that the well-being of athletes is pivotal to filling stadiums. The discussion shed light on a prominent challenge in the field—namely, the difficulty of introducing cutting-edge technology to both teams and individual players. Overcoming this hurdle is essential to ensuring that world-class advancements are seamlessly integrated into sports environments, fostering a culture of proactive injury reduction and safeguarding the longevity of athletes' careers.
Earn Your Game, Monetize Your Name
Among the noteworthy panels attended, a standout was the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) discussion, skillfully moderated by Adyen Syal, the CEO & Co-Founder of MOGL. Diverging from the norm, this panel adopted a more opinionated and debate-oriented approach, delving into the current landscape of NIL. The discourse provided a fascinating exploration of varied perspectives on NIL and the compelling arguments supporting the need to compensate players for their name, image, and likeness. The exchange not only highlighted the multifaceted nature of this evolving issue but also underscored the timeliness and significance of reevaluating the traditional paradigms within which athletes navigate their relationships with endorsements and commercial opportunities.
Striking Gold: The Winning Investment
Attending the "Best Practices for Investing in Performance Tech" panel proved to be a cornerstone for the team, offering invaluable insights into the intricacies of investment strategies in the realm of performance technology. Notably, Meredith McPherron, the CEO and Managing Partner of Drive by DraftKings, brought a wealth of expertise to the discussion. A key revelation from the panel emphasized the nuanced nature of investment decisions, highlighting that, as an investor, unwavering belief in a founder and their company might not always align seamlessly with the broader investment thesis. This takeaway underscored the importance of a holistic approach to investment, where strategic alignment and a comprehensive understanding of both the founder's vision and the investor's objectives are crucial for fostering successful partnerships in the dynamic landscape of performance technology.