Adam Conway, Applied Sports Scientist at Kitman Labs, at the recent launch of SportsTech Ireland

Limerick positioned as European SportsTech Hub with launch of Business Accelerator

Published: Wed 5 Jul 2017, 10:18 AM

Last updated: Wed 5 Jul 2017, 11:19 AM

SportsTech Ireland, a new initiative aimed at supporting the growth and development of Sports Technology companies in Ireland, has announced a call for applications for a business accelerator program that takes place in Limerick in the Autumn. The program will support companies by providing training, mentoring and commercialisation support over a three to six month period.

SportsTech covers a range of industries, including wearable tech, player performance, analytics, gaming, sports nutrition and a host of other applications, examples of which were on display at the recent launch of SportsTech Ireland at King John's Castle in Limerick.

The launch showcased standout Irish companies like Shadowman Sports, which is exporting tackle dummies to the US market, as well as Kitman Labs and Orecco, two fast growing SportsTech companies which use data and analytics for athlete performance and training. Orecco is currently scaling up following a $2 million dollar investment from a Silicon Valley based VC firm earlier this year.

SportsTech Ireland has just announced a formal partnership with SportExchange in the Netherlands to help collaboration and shared research between the two countries. Dutch equestrian tech firm IPOS Software have already felt the benefit of this. Through the partnership, IPOS were invited to exhibit their digital reins technology at the recent Showcase in King John’s Castle, and will be engaging with market leaders in the equestrian sector in Ireland with help from SportsTech Ireland.

SportsTech Ireland will be accepting applications from companies both at home and abroad with the aim of attracting teams to Limerick for the intensive acceleration program.

Martina Skelly, SportsTech Ireland's program director says “We are excited to be able to position Limerick as a European hub for SportsTech acceleration. We are taking a three-tiered approach to develop the SportsTech ecosystem in Ireland, which layers international research and a network component over the commercialisation of SportsTech business. Our ultimate goal is to double the number of SportsTech companies in Ireland by 2020.”