The sports industry is seeing a rise in new companies focused on technology and media. Accelerators play a key part in this growth, with programs like Boomtown Accelerators having funded over 170 startups.
Other firms such as Startupbootcamp Australia and UTA Ventures are also active in the space. Startupbootcamp has invested in more than 130 companies, and UTA Ventures has had over 15 successful exits.
Below is our list of the best 19 Sports accelerators and incubators.
Failory's Top 10 Picks
Tool
Fundraising OS
Everything you need to raise funding for your startup, including 3,500+ investors, 7 tools, 18 templates and 3 learning resources.
Buy It For $97 $297 →Sheet
2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
Information about the industries, countries, and cities they generally invest in.
Get the Sheet for $50Sheet
1,600+ Unicorns
Information about their valuation, HQ's location, founded year, name of founders, funding amount and number of employees.
Get the Sheet for $50Sheet
250 BioTech & Health Investors
List of startup investors in the BioTech, Health, and Medicine industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50Sheet
250 AI Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50Sheet
250 Fintech Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50As the venture capital arm of United Talent Agency, UTA Ventures invests in businesses at the intersection of media, entertainment, and the creator economy. They provide portfolio companies with a unique strategic advantage through access to UTA's global network of artists, creators, and industry partnerships.
| Headquarters | Beverly Hills, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Jeremy Zimmer |
| Nº of Investments | 47 |
| Nº of Exits | 16 |
RSE Ventures builds and backs companies at the intersection of sports, entertainment, media, and technology. The private investment firm provides capital and operational support to help founders create culturally relevant brands.
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States |
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Matt Higgins, Stephen M. Ross |
| Nº of Investments | 42 |
| Nº of Exits | 15 |
Boomtown Accelerators designs bespoke programs that help startups across a wide range of tech industries turn their ideas into profitable, scalable businesses. Founders in the 12-week online program receive seed funding and extensive perks to fast-track their journey from concept to a market-ready company.
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, United States |
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Jack Donenfeld, Erin Stadler, Toby Krout, Stephen Groth, Jose Vieitez, Jason Searfoss |
| Investment Amount | $35K-$50K seed + $20K cash + $1.7M+ in perks/discounts |
| Equity Taken | ~6% |
| Nº of Investments | 174 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
| Program Type | Online |
| Duration (Weeks) | 12 |
As one of the original venture firms in sports and esports, Stadia Ventures helps build the next generation of companies in the space. Their accelerator program provides a $100K equity investment and deep industry connections to startups focused on everything from fan engagement to human performance.
| Headquarters | St Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Art Chou, Tim Hayden |
| Investment Amount | $100K equity investment per company |
| Nº of Investments | 76 |
| Nº of Exits | 11 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 14 |
Data Pitch was an EU-funded program that connected data-focused startups with large organizations to solve specific industry challenges. The accelerator provided equity-free funding and mentorship, aiming to foster a fair and frictionless data economy in Europe.
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Ali Syed, Bashara Hinnawi, Heidi Lindvall |
| Nº of Investments | 48 |
| Nº of Exits | 7 |
NMotion accelerates early-stage startups through its mentor-driven, education-focused program. They primarily support companies in sectors like agriculture and martech, providing the seed funding and network needed to build and scale in the Midwest.
| Headquarters | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States |
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Brian Ardinger |
| Nº of Investments | 97 |
| Nº of Exits | 5 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
| Duration (Weeks) | 7 |
Through its intensive accelerator program, Startupbootcamp Australia helps launch innovative startups in sectors ranging from FinTech to FoodTech. The organization connects founders with a global network and critical resources, focusing on companies aiming to make a positive impact.
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Founders | Trevor Townsend, Ruud Hendriks, Richard Celm |
| Nº of Investments | 134 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 12 |
A joint venture with the LA Dodgers and R/GA, Global Sports Venture Studio unites industry-leading organizations with startups to innovate across sports, media, and entertainment. The studio gives emerging companies an edge by providing direct access to its powerful network of partners for mentorship, resources, and distribution.
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Kyle Bunch, Cole Van Nice, Tucker Kain |
| Nº of Investments | 17 |
| Nº of Exits | 3 |
Run by UC Berkeley, the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator serves as a launchpad for startups building on blockchain technology across sectors like FinTech, gaming, and healthcare. The program connects founders with deep technical expertise, a strong network, and the resources of a world-class university to help them scale their ventures.
| Headquarters | Berkeley, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | — |
| Nº of Investments | 2 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
Vertical.vc operates as a venture building company, partnering with large corporations to co-create and launch new startups. They focus on fostering innovation within established industries like healthcare and industrial tech by combining corporate resources with a startup creation framework.
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Christian Lindholm, Kenneth Salonius, Sebastien Gianelli, Paolo Borella |
| Nº of Investments | 38 |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
9 Additional Sports Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
Our top picks are just the beginning of what's available for sports tech founders. The next group of programs has backed nearly 90 startups and includes accelerators from Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Finding the right program is about more than just big names; it's about the right fit for your company. Here’s a look at more accelerators helping founders build the future of sports.