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Qatar Development Bank looking for next generation of sports tech startups

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched its first ever Sports Tech accelerator startup programme, inviting the world’s most promising sports technology startups, including those in South Africa to apply.

Over the next three years, the Sports Tech accelerator will host a total of four, three-month-long boot camps, from the Aspire complex in Doha, Qatar. For each programme, the 10 most promising Sports Tech startups from around the world will be selected.

The accelerator’s goal

The accelerator will be facilitated by Startupbootcamp which has a long history of assisting startups from around the world.

“This programme is going to be massive. We will be recruiting the best Sports Tech startups worldwide and provide them with unparalleled platform to showcase their solutions. Together with our strong partners, we aim to turn entrepreneurial ambitions into successful companies,” says Koen Bosma, director of the Sports Tech Accelerator in a press release.

The first stage

The first accelerator will focus on submissions from Africa. Applications can be submitted between 3rd October 2018 to 15th December 2018 here. The selection process will take place in early January 2019.

Between the 15th November 2018 and 11th December 2018 the Sports Tech accelerator will visit South Africa, as well as Kenya, to give applicants one-on-one feedback. Successful startups will then be invited to Doha in February 2019.

Startups can propose new technology solutions for the sports industry in the following areas: Team performance and analytics, venue optimisation and management, sports tourism, sports culture, sports loT, wearable and equipment, fan engagement and experiences, sports medicine, virtual reality, augmented reality and esports.

World Cup opportunity

The programme is organised with the main entities funding and organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup and there is a full strategy for selected startups to be engaged in some manner with the tournament.

Each startup will receive a cash grant of €15 000 (~R255 000) for travel expenses and cost of living, in addition to over €600 000 (~R10.2 million) in deals and services.

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