Unlocking the potential of Australia’s sports tech industryCraig Hill

30 May 2014

Unlocking the potential of Australia’s sports tech industry

TCI Australasian Cluster Conference (30 May 2014)

What are sports technologies?• Apparel and footwear

• Protective wear

• Equipment

• Wearable devices

• Analytics - data & video

• Online & Mobile

• Medical, Nutrition and Health products

What are sports technologies?

What are sports technologies?

What are sports technologies?

AN ‘AGGREGATOR’ OF TECHNOLOGY

CAPABILITIES

The Innovation Eco-System

The Opportunity

“ . . . to better capitalise on Australia’s reputation as one of the sporting nation’s of the world by

developing and promoting a well-coordinated and innovative sports technologies industry.”

The Opportunity - cont• $250b sports consumer market

The Opportunity - cont• $500b+ when adding sports media / property

rights).

The Opportunity - cont• More people are participating in sports & leisure

than ever before.

The Opportunity - cont• Technology and innovation are one of the keys to

winning.

The Opportunity - cont

. . . . . yet we exports $300m (0.1% of world demand and import $2.0b in sport products (25%).

The Opportunity - cont

• Outstanding global sporting reputation.

• Well-regarded sports science, research, coaching and development systems (incl. application of technology)

. . . BUT WE NEED TO . . . .

The Opportunity - cont• Increase the commercialisation of sports technologies

by looking beyond elite sports application.

• Improve collaboration to develop new sports innovation opportunities.

• Help sports innovate – across high performance, game development / participation, management

• Bring commercial expertise and capital to the industry.

Sports Tech Landscape• Lots of invention / innovation – private & research.

• The need to engage in the ‘procurement cycle’ is critical (ie with retailers, NSOs, manufacturers).

• Researchers challenge is converting ‘technology capability’ to ‘product’.

• Business, researchers, NSOs need help on ‘how to’ innovate

What is the role of the ASTN?

‘Provide leadership in the commercialisation of sports technologies in Australia’.

What is the role of the ASTN?• Collaborate - broker of relationships.

• Educate – knowledge sharing.

• Build capability – through targeted industry development programs.

• Commercialise – pathways for sports innovation, commercialisation, business growth & export.

What is the role of the ASTN?

• Getting sports technologies to consumer markets – beyond the elite.

• Grass roots, weekend warriors, leisure / wellbeing and semi-professionals.

• Accessing global sports consumer markets.

Key ActivitiesIndustry Study

Key ActivitiesAnnual Conferences

Key ActivitiesInnovation & Entrepreneurship Bootcamps

Key ActivitiesInvestment Pitching Competitions (& Education)

Key ActivitiesSports Tech Journal - special Australian feature

Key ActivitiesExhibition Opportunities (Sports Tech Hub)

Key Activities12 month Mentoring & Advisory Program

• Planning for business growth• Sports technology innovation• Sports export

Key ActivitiesAccelerator

• 20 high-potential start-ups over 2 years• Investment ready education program• Links to experts and markets• Raising $2m into Headstart Fund

Key activities2 Year Australian Sports Commission Partnership

• NSO membership • Technology needs & procurement• Industry & Innovation education – Conference,

Bootcamp, Digital Workshops• Industry knowledge sharing

Industry Development Plan

A Game-Changing Investment?Industry Innovation Precinct

A Game-Changing Investment?Industry Innovation Precinct

A Game-Changing Investment?• Precinct abolished – would have seen $10m+

investment in industry

• Re-positioning for engagement and support from Coalition.

Priorities – 2014/15• Secure Federal Gov’t support for ASTN-led industry

development programs

• Sustainability

• ASTN State-based ‘node’ development

• Sports Tech Fund

• Export Program

Keys to (Success?) so far • Industry-led

– The Industry want it . . . and addressing real issues– Willingness to share / collaborate

• Champions & Drivers– Kate Lundy (Govt champion) – John Wylie (Australian Sports Commission)– James Demetriou (industry figurehead)– Mark Kelly (Enterprise Connect)

• Timing– Winning Edge Strategy – high performance, innovation, sustainability – Technology convergence

• Mentors / Influencers– Jerry Engel (UC Berkeley) – industry clusters, tech, VC

• Luck!

Challenges so far• Resources

– Limited Budget - $150k (2012/13) / $200k (2013/14)– 2,000+ in-kind hours in 2013– Spiralling agenda / priorities– Facilitators at the end of the food chain!

• Government– Too much reliance for funding– A world competitive innovation agenda?

• Funding– Access to early stage funding -

Australian Sports Technologies Network

Craig Hill – Executive Directorm. 0408 390 930

e. craig.hill@astn.com.au