SPORTS ACCELERATOR TO DEVELOP AND SCALE GAME CHANGING STARTUPS

HOW IT WORKS

The KICKUP Sports Accelerator is an international acceleration program that aims to scout, accelerate and invest in early stage sports business startups, focused on Sports Performance & Lifestyle Activity; Fan Engagement & Entertainment; Facility Management & Operations.

It is a 12 week full-service program that gives the opportunity to 10 selected startups to build, execute and validate their business model, find the best international product & market fit, and get funding.

WHAT YOU GET

FUNDING

10k Euro investment and >100k Euro in office space, services, mentoring, and education from our partners for an equity stake of 8%.

SPORTIVE APPROACH

Tailormade nutrition plan, sports activities & competitions, and mindfulness programs for the founders.

WORKSPACE

Kickass office space for your team in a leading European sports venue: the SL Benfica stadium (Estádio da Luz).

FACILITIES

Full-access (according
to rules and regulation) to the SL Benfica facilities and possibility to use them for testing purposes.

TRAINING

Training program supported by one of the leading business schools in Europe, Nova SBE.

MENTORING

Experienced founders, sports executives, and investors as mentors to advise your startup in every stage of its development.

ACCELERATION

Free access to expert workshops and inspiring talks. Regular counselling, often in the form of weekly office hours.

SUPPORT-TEAM

Full-time dedicated team to mentor, connect and develop your startup in everything you might need.

INDUSTRY LEVERAGING

Early access to customer feedback and industry partners to validate and test your business locally, while also determining international fit and providing access to relevant markets.

CO-DEVELOPMENT

Accelerated innovation with partners in order to enlarge capabilities and leverage R&D.

ACCESS TO INVESTORS

Access to accredited investors and industry corporate venture capital to take your startup
to the next level.

PERKS

>100k Euro of free or discounted services that our partners offer each team, including: web hosting, email marketing, accounting, and many more.

ROADMAP

31 JANUARY 2017

APPLICATIONS OPEN
Submit your application on F6S. All Applications must be in English.

12 MARCH 2017

APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
Time's up!! Subscribe to our newsletter to know everything about the next cohort.

26 MARCH 2017

SELECTION NOTIFICATION
20 Selected startups invited to go to the Bootcamp where they pitch in front of the Selection Committe.

7 APRIL 2017

BOOTCAMP
4 Intensive days! The 10 best startups get access to the acceleration program.

24 APRIL 2017

KICKOFF
Program begins. Work hard, play hard!

11 JULY 2017

DEMO DAY
Pitch your startup and secure follow-on investment from angels and venture capitalists.

MENTORS

Our mentor network are sports business founders, experts, and investors engaged to accelerate business growth.

  • Andreia Silva
    Andreia Silva Sport Zone / Head of Product Development and Quality Control
  • Paulo Santos
    Paulo Santos Kinematix / Founder & CEO
  • Gil Belford
    Gil Belford Hole19 / Chief Operations Officer
  • Telmo Silva
    Telmo Silva Grow uP eSports / Founder and Board of Directors
  • Alex Steudler
    Alex Steudler Red Bull / Sports Marketing Manager
  • João Paiva Mendes
    João Paiva Mendes Boost / Co-Founder & CEO
  • Diogo Silva
    Diogo Silva NOS / Corporate Partnerships
  • Inês Monteiro Alves
    Inês Monteiro Alves Inventa International / Trademark and Patent Attorney | Lawyer
  • Rodrigo Drysdale
    Rodrigo Drysdale Faberg Tour / Sales Europe
  • Hugo Cortez
    Hugo Cortez Coacher / Co-Founder & CEO
  • Javier Montero Inarejos
    Javier Montero Inarejos Valora Digital / Co-Founder & CEO
  • Borja Burguillos
    Borja Burguillos Valora Digital / Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
  • Stephan Morais
    Stephan Morais Executive Board Member at Caixa Capital
  • Teresa Fernandes
    Teresa Fernandes Advisor to the Board at aicep Portugal Global
  • João Romão
    João Romão Founder / GetSocial
  • Filipe Simões
    Filipe Simões CEO / SAKPROJECT
  • Cristina Fonseca
    Cristina Fonseca Co-founder / Talkdesk
  • TIAGO DOMINGOS
    TIAGO DOMINGOS MOBLABS / Co-Founder
  • FERNANDO SOUSA
    FERNANDO SOUSA VIDEOBSERVER / Co-Founder
  • PABLO VENTURA ARANGUREN
    PABLO VENTURA ARANGUREN K-FUND / Partner
  • SEAN DUNNE
    SEAN DUNNE KREOS CAPITAL / Principal

FAQ

In what stage should the startup be to apply to KICKUP Sports Accelerator? Who can apply?

As long as you have an idea or are developing a solution related to the sports area, you are welcome to apply. However, KICKUP’ s greatest strength is to bring startups from MVP and early prototypes to market.

How can I benefit from the program?

In addition to working daily with the best sports startups in Europe, the selected startups will have the opportunity to benefit from the extensive international network of mentors, executives, investors and companies linked to KICKUP as well as the partners that provide the unique opportunity to test and pilot the products.

How many companies are selected for the acceleration program?

From all the submitted applications, only 20 companies are selected to come to Lisbon for the bootcamp/selection days. From those 20 companies, only 10 will be selected to attend the full acceleration program for the duration of 12 weeks.

Do the founders have to be in Lisbon for the duration of the program?

Given that KICKUP Sports Accelerator is an immersive acceleration program, we require that the founders are in Lisbon for the duration of the program. Only in this way, can startups fully benefit from the acceleration program, its network, events, training, mentoring and support from partners.

How many team elements should come to Lisbon?

The recommended number is ideally two founders.

How much equity does KICKUP Sports Accelerator take? What comes with it?

Besides the access to our network of mentors, advisors and corporate partners, KICKUP Sports Accelerator invests €10K in cash in each business for 8% equity.

Besides funding, what other support does KICKUP Sports Accelerator provide to the companies?

Workspace for your team in one of the leading Lisbon sports facility – the Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium.

Training program supported by one of the leading business schools in Europe, Nova SBE.

Clubs, corporate and public contacts and networking to validate, test and leverage your project.

Access to accredited investors and industry corporate venture capital firms to take startups to the next level.

Full-access (according to rules and regulation) to the SLB facilities and possibility to use them for testing purposes.

Access to experienced mentors and industry experts to help your startup in every stage of its development.

Support team in-residence to mentor, connect and develop your project in everything you might need.

Co-development with the founding sponsors in order to enlarge capabilities and leverage R&D.

Access to a bundle of free perks, on-demand services and network partners.

PARTNERS

Our partners are several industry leaders across the value chain. Each one brings to the startups a unique access to technology, market insights and distribution. And our supporters network introduces you to significant international scaling opportunities.