The SSAC Startup Competition & Trade Show showcases innovation in sports-related technologies, products, and services. Selected companies will pitch to esteemed industry experts, potential customers, business partners, and investors.
Successful prior participants include: Noah Basketball, Perch, Proteus Motion, and ShotTracker. Their exposure at SSAC led to credibility and supported raising larger funding rounds.
Applications to the 2024 SSAC Startup Competition & Trade Show open Wednesday, November 15, 2023 and close Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Startups will be notified by mid-to-late January. The application can be accessed HERE.
Startups of all sizes in the fields of sports-related technologies, products, and services are invited to apply. This year's competition will also feature a separate track for sports-related startups founded by current students. For all startups selected to continue into the final round of the competition (taking place March 1-2, 2024 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA), the following rules apply:
In order to participate in the Startup Competition & Trade Show, companies must meet the following criteria:
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Startup Competition & Trade Show can be found in the FAQs Tab. If you have any additional questions about the Startup Competition & Trade Show, please reach out to tradeshow@sloansportsconference.com.
The 2024 SSAC Startup Competition & Trade Show will take place on March 1-2, 2024 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.
Trade Show Booth: Each participating startup will have a booth to showcase its product or service to conference attendees.
Startup Competition: Each startup will be given 12 minutes for their pitch and Q&A from the judging panel of industry experts and investors. Startups should explain how their companies are revolutionizing the sports industry.
In order to participate in the Startup Competition & Trade Show, companies must meet the following general criteria:
(1) Have not raised over $15 million, as of date of conference (March 1, 2024)
(2) Have never won the SSAC Startup Competition & Trade Show before
(3) Founders of the applying company retain some portion of ownership in the company
In order to participate in the student track, companies must meet the general eligibility criteria. In addition, all company founders must be current students. “Current students” are defined as undergraduates, graduates, or PhDs who are full-time, degree-seeking enrolled students at the time of the conference (not at the time of the application). All applicants to the student track are subject to verification of such status.
Startups will pay the entry fee to participate ($1,500). Your company will receive one (1) GA ticket, one (1) exhibitor ticket, and a booth along a main corridor of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center as part of the entry fee.
The Trade Show is a valuable networking and business development opportunity for all startup participants. Stakeholders from across the sports industry such as investors, corporate sponsors, media companies, professional athletes, general managers, customers, and more will be among conference attendees. Winners of the Startup Competition, as determined by our panel of judges, will be awarded a prize to be announced.
The SSAC committee will distribute additional Trade Show Booth guidelines to participants.
Yes, SSAC is on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Once payment is confirmed, SSAC will be able to engage with your startup (e.g., follow, retweet) on social media. Therefore, we recommend any public disclosure of your organization’s attendance to be announced after the payment confirmation.
If you are interested in applying to the 2024 Startup Competition & Trade Show, please submit your application HERE.
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