An augmented reality platform that brings fans into the match has won the inaugural HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator Global Pitch competition held during the Commonwealth Games.

Sydney-based ARIVAL technology beat out 10 other sportstech startups to take out the $25,000 grand prize with its technology that delivers players and team statistics to fans during live play by simply pointing a mobile phone at the court or television.

ARIVAL founder Matt Coleman said the win was amazing for the team and had given them validation of their product innovation and development.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to now present our company at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, which opens us up to one of the largest sports communities in the world,” Mr Coleman said.

“The HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator program has certainly been a very valuable, worthwhile opportunity and I would highly recommend it to any startups or early stage companies that are serious about their growth."

An international cohort of sportstech innovators pitched their ideas – from augmented reality and gamification to soft snow helmets – to investors, sports influencers and international delegates at Commonwealth House on the Gold Coast. 

Minister for Innovation Kate Jones congratulated the winner of the HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator ARIVAL.

“This event attracted a stellar international field and offered all participants the unique opportunity to showcase their innovations during the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones said.

“The HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator showcased sports technologies that, in the future, could be used by some of the elite athletes and sporting officials who have come to Queensland for the Commonwealth Games.”

The program is a partnership between The University of Queensland, Advance Queensland and HYPE Sports Innovation’s global sport startups accelerator network.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said the HYPE UQ SPIN program was an extraordinary opportunity for startups to showcase their projects and connect with investors and business ecosystem stakeholders.

“Sportstech innovation is creating opportunities for new products and business models and changing the way athletes train and fans interact,” Professor Høj said.

“The program can open doors for startups to accelerate their business and make an impact on the world of sport.”     

The inaugural program attracted 94 applications from 14 countries, with 11 startups selected to participate in the three-month HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator program which gave them access to global sports businesses, mentors, clubs and brands, and culminated with the final pitch event at the Commonwealth Games.

HYPE Sports Innovation’s Partner and Chief Innovation Officer Dr Ilan Hadar said he had no doubt this program placed the Australian sports startup scene on the global stage.

“Our Australian program is a part of the HYPE Sports Innovation’s global network of accelerators targeted at infusing innovative solutions into sport, and ultimately transform the way people practice, measure and consume sports,” he said.

The Austrade Going Global Award was presented to BioConnected, who will have access to a 90-day residency at one of Austrade's global LandingPads.

BioConnected is an Australian sports tech startup dedicated to ensuring that technology is part of the health and wellness solution, not the problem.

The judging panel at the HYPE UQ SPIN Accelerator Global Pitch competition included Queensland Chief Scientist Dr Christine Williams, former Reebok CEO Uli Becker, UQ academics and business experts.

ARIVAL receives $25,000 in prize money and access to HYPE Sports Innovation’s elite Top50 program.

Image above: The Austrade Going Global Award presented to BioConnected.

Media:  Bernie Woodcroft, ilab UQ, bernie.woodcroft@ilabuq.com.au, 0402 893 117