EBAN SportsTech Manifesto: Leading the Charge for Innovation in European Sports

Preamble

As a vital community within the European Business Angels Network (EBAN), EBAN Sports stands at the intersection
of sports and innovation, championing a future where technology elevates athletic performance and enriches fan
experiences. Our manifesto is a call to action for all stakeholders—investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and sports
enthusiasts—to unite in fostering a robust SportsTech ecosystem that drives growth, inclusivity, and sustainability
across Europe. Together, we will harness the power of innovation to shape the future of sports and create lasting societal
impacts.

1. The Strategic Importance of Investing in SportsTech

SportsTech is not just a market; it is a transformative movement that integrates technology with health, entertainment,
and data analytics. Our commitment to investing in SportsTech unlocks significant benefits that extend beyond the
playing field:
• Transforming Athletic Performance: Innovative solutions such as wearables, AI-driven analytics, and recovery
technologies are revolutionizing how athletes train, compete, and recover, pushing the boundaries of human
performance.
• Revolutionizing Fan Engagement: The integration of immersive technologies like virtual reality and mobile
applications is creating unparalleled fan experiences, deepening connections between sports and their audiences.
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing: By leveraging gamification and fitness technologies, SportsTech encourages active
lifestyles, contributing to healthier communities and reducing healthcare costs across Europe. WHO (World Health
Organization) developed an economic analysis which predicts that nearly 500 million new cases of preventable major
NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) will occur globally between 2020 and 2030 if the prevalence of physical
inactivity does not change. These NCDs will cost an estimated US $300 billion in healthcare costs alone in that 11 year
period, or about US $27 billion per year. These estimates do not include the significant indirect costs including loss of
productivity.
• Driving Sustainability: Advancements in materials and practices within SportsTech support environmental goals,
ensuring a greener future for the sports industry and aligning with global sustainability initiatives.

2. Building an Ecosystem of Innovation and Collaboration

The impact of SportsTech extends across various sectors, fostering innovation and collaboration that benefit society as a
whole:
• Advancing Healthcare: Enhanced training and recovery protocols not only improve athlete health but also lead to
better outcomes for the general population, aligning with public health objectives.
• Integrating SportsTech into Education: Educational institutions can incorporate sports technology into curricula,
preparing future generations for careers in this dynamic field and ensuring a skilled workforce for tomorrow’s
challenges.
• Empowering Professional Athletes: Enabling athletes to understand the value of SportsTech and reinvest in their own
ecosystem and industry.
• Collaborating with Sports Organizations: Working with clubs, leagues, and federations to integrate sports technology.
• Enhancing Urban Development: City initiatives could incorporate SportsTech to create active, vibrant communities
that promote public health and well-being, also to dynamise and grow its start-up community and position themselves
as sports tech clusters.

3. Leveraging European Programs for Growth

EBAN SportsTech is committed to maximizing opportunities provided by European Union programs designed to spur
innovation and investment:
• Horizon Europe: Access to funding for research and innovation projects that can propel SportsTech initiatives
forward, enhancing competitiveness on a global scale.
• Erasmus+: Creating educational partnerships that foster skill development and knowledge exchange in SportsTech,
enhancing collaboration across Europe.
• European Regional Development Fund: Supporting regional projects that boost local economies through SportsTech
innovation, driving inclusive development.

4. An Ambitious Call to Action

We call upon all members of the European Business Angels Network and beyond to take decisive action:
• Invest Boldly and Responsibly: Recognize the transformative potential of SportsTech and commit resources to
innovative projects that create value for athletes, fans, and communities.
• Foster Collaborative Ecosystems: Encourage partnerships among startups, established companies, sports
organizations, and research institutions to accelerate development and commercialization of breakthrough SportsTech
solutions.
• Advocate for Strategic Support: Engage with EU programs and initiatives to secure the funding and resources
essential for amplifying the impact of SportsTech investments across Europe.

• Join the EBAN Sports Community:
If you are already a member of the European Business Angels Network, join the EBAN Sports community to be part of
this transformative movement (https://www.eban.org/eban-sports/).

If you are not yet an EBAN member, consider joining EBAN and the EBAN Sports community to contribute to the
growth of the SportsTech ecosystem in Europe.

Conclusion
The future of sports is intrinsically tied to the fusion of technology and innovation. By investing in SportsTech through
the EBAN community, we empower athletes, enhance fan experiences, and create a sustainable and prosperous sports
landscape for generations to come.

Join us in this bold endeavor to position Europe as the epicenter of SportsTech innovation.

Together, we can lead the charge in harnessing the power of sports technology to drive economic growth, promote
inclusivity, and inspire healthier, more active lives.

Let us unite to transform the future of sports—where vision meets action, and every investment paves the way for
success.