Germany’s First Sports Accelerator leAD Is Looking For Innovative Startups

Innovative sports startups looking to create their legacy have found their match with leAD. The grandsons of Adidas’ founder Adi Dassler have teamed up to support startups in making a lasting impact on the sports industry. The three co-founders, Dr. Klaus, Horst and Stefan Bente, have committed to leverage their grandfather’s legacy by creating a platform for sports, innovation, and entrepreneurship as one of the first movers in Europe.

Start-up To Lead!

Settling for “good” is not what sports legends do, and neither should you. The visionary thinking of Adi Dassler, unique work ethic, and passion for sports have made their mark as these are the key factors valued by the Berlin-based accelerator.

For the first time ever, leAD now offers a unique opportunity for startups from various sectors, namely:

• Tracking
• Media and entertainment
• Venues and ticketing
• Fan engagement and merchandise
• (Connected) equipment and (functional) clothing
• Gaming and virtual reality
• New sports or new sport formats
• Inclusive sport and integration sports

Together with renowned experts from the sports industry, leAD’s aim is to fund and nurture disruptive startups in a next-generation accelerator model. The acceleration program will last three months and provide custom support to entrepreneurs, linked with a fund capturing value from the accelerator’s partners, creating a unique ecosystem for sports innovation.

Acceleration Program Going Sports Tournament

Early and seed stage startups will have the chance to enter leAD’s program to pitch in front of more than 100 VCs whilst truly living their passion for sports.

From September 12th to December 8th, 2017, innovative startups will enter not only an acceleration program but a sports tournament designed for their needs. The startups making it past the group stage in the quarter-final will already benefit from an extensive partner network, including VCs, angel investors, marketing, and media experts. Raphael Brinkert (Jung von Matt/sports), Andrew White (5Oceans Partnership), Christine Thoma (ZEAL Investments), Björn Brüggemann (Red Bull), and Jörg Rheinboldt (Axel Springer Plug’n’Play) are only a few names of a list that is constantly growing.

As the program is built similar to a tournament, there are different stages leading up to the final (aka Demo Day). Here’s the game plan:

leAD will host your startup in Berlin, one of the most substantial startup capitals globally. Their acceleration program will enrich your team spirit, feed your entrepreneurial savviness, boost your learning curve, challenge your pivoting skills, grow your network, and open doors to the most important players in the sports industry. “Adi Dassler created a whole industry with his passion, his innovative strength, and his firm sense of conviction”, says Horst Bente – and that is exactly what leAD aims to do by accelerating sports startups.

Want to disrupt the industry? Apply until May 31st to create your legacy starting now!

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