SciSports triumphs at UEFA Sports Innovation (SPIN) FINAL
13 June 2017
A company that compares footballers’ data to help clubs find under-valued future stars has been crowned UEFA Sports Innovation (SPIN) FINAL Champion in Cardiff.
SciSports analyzes statistics from more than 350,000 players worldwide to predict players’ quality, growth, and potential.
The company was one of 10 winning finalists in the ‘Dragon’s Den’ style Hype Foundation SPIN FINAL at Cardiff University, which brought global start-ups together to pitch to a panel of international football judges.
Giels Brouwer, founder and CEO, represented SciSports in Cardiff with Sales Manager Simon Rödder.
“It was an amazing event...” said Giels.
"We had a fantastic time meeting the other start-ups, making our pitch, and working with the Hype Foundation and Cardiff University. It’s a truly great city, and it’s been incredible to win this event.”
“SciSports have built an index where we can compare Barcelona players with a second division player in Peru. This helps us find under-valued players, find them better jobs in football, and help clubs progress.”
Developed in 2012 as a spin-out from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, SciSports has 45 employees and works with clubs and agents worldwide.
The tool, SciSkill, helps clubs predict games and rank players to find emerging talent around the world.
HYPE Foundation is a global platform that connects and invests in sports innovation.
CEO, Amir Raveh said: “SciSports is a fitting winner from the ten top quality finalists. The SPIN FINAL demonstrated the near future – where innovation will be integrated as a natural part of any football game and will enhance all aspects of it. I’m thrilled to celebrate the future of sports with top start-ups and industry leaders who are pushing for this change to happen.”
The 10 start-ups taking part included software that helps coaches manage matches, a device that hones players’ passing skills and an app for fan-led lightshows.
The SPIN FINAL took place in front of senior judges from UEFA, FC Barcelona, Adidas, Amazon and Microsoft.
Jury chairman Bernd Wahler, ex-Adidas CMO, VfB Stuttgart President, said: “The quality of the start-ups was outstanding, and picking a winner was difficult: all the start-ups are champions for showing the world the future of football.”
A student hackathon to mark the event produced a winning team. School of Engineering students Marina Kovalera and Thomas Hughes pitched an idea for screen-on-shirt advertising and won £200 each from Santander plus a chance to pitch their start-up to the judges.
The events, at Cardiff Business School’s high-tech Postgraduate Teaching Centre, took place the day before hometown hero Gareth Bale lifted the Champions League Final trophy for Real Madrid in a 4-1 victory over Juventus.
