Description
Global Sports Venture Studio (GSVS) is a sports-focused accelerator and innovation venture platform designed to connect sports tech startups with major leagues, brands, media partners, and strategic industry leaders to accelerate innovation across the global sports ecosystem. It blends corporate collaboration, venture support, and strategic partnership opportunities to help startups advance technology and commercial adoption in sports, media, fan engagement, and related sectors.
Origins & Partners:
GSVS was originally developed from programs associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers and R/GA Ventures, and has included founding partners such as Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, UEFA, adidas, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Fox Sports, National Hockey League, and other ecosystem leaders. Its purpose is to bring together industry expertise and emerging companies that are shaping fan experiences, athlete performance, and sports-tech innovation globally.
Specific Program / Funding Stage
Early → Growth Stage Focus
- GSVS engages with startups across early and growth stages that are developing innovations in the sports and sports-tech ecosystem — including fan engagement, analytics, mobile platforms, performance tech, content/media solutions, and emerging interactive experiences.
- It does not strictly advertise “pre-seed” or “seed” in the way traditional accelerators do; instead, it matches startups with industry partners for pilot opportunities, integration projects, strategic relationships, and investment introductions.
Investment / Funding Model
Corporate & Strategic Engagement (Non-Uniform Capital Terms)
- GSVS supports venture engagement through strategic partnership channels rather than operating as a traditional venture capital firm with fixed check sizes.
- It facilitates startup engagements, pilot planning, product validation, deal flow, deal structuring, and consulting to align partners and startups for collaboration.
- The Studio’s investment or financing presence tends to arise via partner networks and co-investors, such as Elysian Park Ventures (LA Dodgers’ investment arm) and other allied VC or strategic players.
Equity Taken
- GSVS itself does not publicly list a standardized equity percentage taken from startups as a condition of participation. Instead, equity terms and capital participation are negotiated in each case when strategic investments are made through its partner network.
- Because GSVS operates largely at the intersection of corporate innovation and venture strategy, equity arrangements depend on specific partner involvement and investment deals, not a uniform accelerator equity formula.
Equity / Ownership Structure
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No fixed equity requirement: GSVS’s engagement model is not like traditional accelerators (e.g., YC/Techstars) that charge a standard equity stake.
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Venture ties through partners: When capital is deployed, it typically happens through partnered funds or strategic investors associated with GSVS (e.g., league-linked funds or venture arms), and equity terms are negotiated for each transaction.
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Studio collaboration: Some startups may engage in co-development, pilot deployments, or integration projects that include investment or commercial arrangements alongside partner firms.
Application / Submission Method
How to Engage
- Startups typically express interest or apply through the Global Sports Venture Studio website or by reaching out to the GSVS team for collaboration opportunities.
- Applications involve providing details about the startup’s technology, market traction, strategic fit with sports industry innovation, and product vision.
- The Studio engages startups through rolling evaluation and direct liaison with corporate partners, rather than fixed intake windows like many accelerator cohorts.
