Sports Tech HQ initiative lands $4.5M in state funding
Summary
California-based Edge Sound Research, whose technology allows spectators to both see and feel sound, announced in December it was working with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to demo its technology and planned to establish a presence in Indiana.Since December, several other sports-tech startups have also announced their intent to set up shop in Indiana. They include Chicago-based Ganance, which offers a health tracker that attaches to the back of a wristwatch; Cambridge, Massachusetts-based DaVinci Wearables, which is developing sensor-embedded smart clothing for female athletes; and Ireland-based Wiistream, which offers a customizable streaming platform for sports organizations.And in February, race car manufacturer Dallara and Italy-based AK Informatica announced the launch of a joint venture: a simulation racing startup called Dallara-AK Esports.The increased IEDC funding, Hintz said, will allow Sports Tech HQ to continue to work with these startups and to scout for new startups that it might persuade to come to Indiana in the future.To that end, Hintz said, his organization is planning to expand its staff in coming months. The organization is currently working to hire for two new positions: a director of marketing and a business development employee. By years end, the organization could have as many as six employees.In the big picture, Hintz said, his goal is to continue the early momentum that Sports Tech HQ has seenand to keep a step ahead of the competition. And earlier this year the California-based innovation network Plug and Play opened a sports tech-themed office in the Dallas suburb of Frisco.