The Dodgers this spring "launched a business incubator program to cultivate a new generation of technology stars," according to Meg James of the L.A. TIMES. Well-heeled companies "often participate in incubator programs to provide seed money, office space and mentoring advice about the ins and outs of business." But the team and its partner in the venture, digital marketing firm R/GA, have "taken the concept a step further by investing in early-stage sports technology firms." Dodgers CFO Tucker Kain said, "We are trying to pioneer a new avenue for innovation in our industry and add as much value as we can." James notes among the Dodgers Accelerator participants are a "team that wants to speed up ordering hot dogs and beer at concession stands, and another that has built a social network to connect athletes and coaches." The Dodgers "announced last spring" that they were looking for start-ups, and more than 570 "eager firms applied." R/GA execs and the Dodgers' front office "culled the list and picked 10 firms that they believed offered the best commercial prospects." The Dodgers Accelerator in August "opened in R/GA's office space in Playa Vista," and the initiative was "crafted as a three-month training camp for companies that made the cut." N.Y.-based ProDay is "working on a mobile app to let fans 'work out' with favorite pro athletes, and Canadian firm Kinduct is developing fitness software." Chicago-based DoorStat is "working on technology that uses sensors to help stadium owners analyze demographic information about people who come through their doors." The Dodgers and R/GA "take ownership stakes in the firms, which can be as much as 6%, in exchange for a $20,000 contribution." In some cases, the Dodgers and R/GA "accepted a smaller percentage if the start-up already has taken a product to market or secured other financing" (L.A. TIMES, 10/13).
MATURATION PROCESS: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Robert Gray notes the firms are "in different stages of maturity, but all 10 companies will be looking for a victory as they wind up the Accelerator experience, culminating Nov. 10 at Dodger Stadium." The founders "must deliver a successful pitch to some 300 investors and sports business and media executives to see whether they can literally get their ideas across home plate." S.F.-based Swish Analytics is "hoping its predictive analytics data platform will score with investors." Co-Founder Bobby Skoff said the Accelerator program offers "unparalleled access we wouldn’t have got otherwise. ... Being plugged into a network of sports executives, and people inside the industry -- media, on the league level, team level -- with the knowledge of the challenges we would face" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/12 issue). Below is a full list of the companies participating in the Dodgers Accelerator program:
* Appetitze -- a point-of-sale, mobile ordering and inventory management system for live events.
* Doorstat -- a proprietary technology solution for understanding foot traffic, customer demographics and customer behavior.
* FieldLevel -- a private social network for sports recruiting.
* FocusMotion -- analysis of data generated through wearable technology.
* Kinduct -- Software solutions for measuring health, fitness and human performance.
* LeagueApps -- Software platform for local sports organizers.
* ProDay -- A mobile application aiding training for professional athletes.
* SidePrize -- A product for facilitating side challenges in fantasy sports leagues.
* Swish Analytics -- Algorithmic and prediction tools for daily fantasy sports players.
* Yezno -- Polling and debating for sports fans.
