Startups, sport and innovation: Snaitech’s contribution to the WeSportUp project
Supporting and listening to the best ideas, helping those who pursue innovation to identify the right target, accelerating or “enabling” the path of those who want to make their way in the business world.
Snaitech has always been attentive to the world of startups and the need to create opportunities for those who demonstrate insights and an adequate business plan. For this reason, he has joined WeSportUp with conviction, the accelerator dedicated to sports and wellness startups created by CDP Venture Capital and Sport e Salute.
The project, which lasted three years, was developed within the wonderful Foro Italico complex, with the support of Startupbootcamp and Wylab operators and the participation of major corporate partners such as BNL BNP Paribas, Snaitech and Juventus.
In 2024, after a 4-month scouting phase, over 1,300 potentially targeted startups were identified and almost 400 applications were collected. Among these, the best 9 were selected who underwent an intense 14-week acceleration path: the programme included mentoring and coaching activities, business training workshops, masterclasses with industry experts, showcase events, business development activities and work sessions with corporate partners to carry out pilot projects and market tests. The main goal was to accelerate the growth of startups, adequately preparing them for the meeting with investors and customers. During these months, over 100 professionals were involved in supporting startups, with 150 hours dedicated to one-to-one meetings, 70 opportunities created between commercial partnerships and fundraising.
Over the three years, WeSportUp has generated a tangible impact for the Italian Sports and Wellness ecosystem with the creation of a database with more than 1,700 sports and wellness tech startups; 1,100 applications; 26 accelerated startups; 1.9 million euros invested in startups; 1.86 million euros raised by post-programme startups; 10 pilot projects and commercial agreements signed with leading companies, including Juventus, BNL and Snaitech, a community of 60 mentors and active supporters (including managers, professionals, founders and investors).
A wealth and a heritage of innovation that demonstrates the growing attention and potential of the wellness market, materials for sport activities, the fan experience and gaming. But above all, it reminds all of us how important it is to team up to create an ecosystem capable of innovating and bringing value to the world of sport.