New technology from startup ventures is transforming the global sports industry. This Startup Series has introduced over 300 startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience by allowing Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story and pitch their idea. Feel free to submit your startup’s answers to the below questions or contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for inclusion in this series.
This series is supported by Stadia Ventures. If you are a sports technology startup looking for strategic investors, we recommend checking out their upcoming accelerator programs.
Company name: DashTag
Founder(s): Epco Berger, Cliff de Roode, Dirk van den Berg
Headquarters: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
1. What is your elevator pitch?
Founded in 2015, DashTag, a Dutch sport tech company, was established to give ambitious soccer players all over the world the podium they deserve. Driven by FIFA game stats DashTag highlights all achievements to the world and encourages players to “capture, train and show” their performance. While featuring the most dedicated players, the wearable sensor – the Dash - is designed for soccer players of all levels and abilities and is geared towards pulling them out the shades and into the spotlights.
2. Problem & Solution
Until now, the sport statistics in soccer are only accessible for the happy few, the pro’s. Let alone to share them and show yourself to the world as an ambitious amateur player. On top of that the solutions are designed for a team, not the individual.
At the same time, there’s a big momentum for personal soccer stats: Young soccer players know soccer stats from TV and games like FIFA17 and it’s already very common in individual sports (like running and cycling) to show and highlight your performance.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
We're starting with soccer in the US in 2018, growing to other European countries from 2019. The reason to kick-off in the US is the combination of the fastest growing youth sport in the nation with already over 24 million soccer players, the competitive attitude of the American players and the eagerness to have their own stats.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
Our product is primarily for individual soccer players. They pay a monthly fee to see and show their stats to world. This subscription includes the use of the Dash and the app, which can be ordered online.
Coaches can benefit from their players stats, to register and create an online team, and see the team stats.
5. Management Team – with titles
Epco (CEO) has 12 years experience in leading teams, developing and rolling out innovations at Boeing, Airbus and Philips. His last innovation was a first generation of LED fixtures growing to 250k€ revenue in 4 years.
Cliff (CTO) designed Apple accessories for Griffin Technology in the US. He designed and engineered the iTrip that enabled you to wirelessly listen to your iPod music in cars back in the day. Later he founded his own app-company developing apps which started by coincidence during a surf trip in France, which evolved into a citizen reporting platform.
Dirk (CMO) is a sport psychologist. Founded his own marketing event company, putting his knowledge in practice and creating unique experiences. With his combination of expertise DashTag is creating a great experience round the product.
Recently, DashTag presented two advisors to the team: eBuddy Founder Jan-Joost Rueb and former Nike and O’Neill executive Willem Haitink.
Jan-Joost Rueb is serial entrepreneur and (angel) investor in several start-ups. He co-founded and managed eBuddy, the pioneer in mobile messaging with over 400M users.
“The future sports analytics will be game changing, it will turn into a multi billion dollar industry in the next few years, where DashTag plays a leading role”.
Willem Haitink comes with 20+ years of experience with leading global branded sports/lifestyle as Nike and O’Neill, and technology companies as Tesla. As a CEO/General Manager his expertise includes strategy, transformation, brand/product management, retail/omni-channel and p&l management across a diverse portfolio of global businesses.
“I believe in the future of technology and data in sports, the vision and passion of the founders, and the strong business plan of DashTag.
6. Financial Needs: are you currently looking for investment? Have you raised investment already? If so, who are your investors?
In February 2017 we raised at total of $800k with angel investors and are currently raising our pre-series A.
Read more about our investment here.
