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- Comcast NBCUniversal will bolster startups focusing on emerging sports technology, in partnership with companies including NBC Sports and NASCAR.
- The Sports Tech accelerator, to be operated by Boomtown Accelerators, will offer $50K USD investments for a 6% stake in accepted companies.
- Esports will be one of the focus industry categories. Comcast Spectacor runs the Philadelphia Fusion and is a co-owner of T1 Entertainment & Sports.
Comcast NBCUniversal has announced a new accelerator program for sports technology startups. The American mass media company listed six initial partners to support the Sports Tech accelerator: NBC Sports, The Golf Channel, NASCAR, Sky Sports, USA Swimming, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and Comcast Ventures.
The accelerator will be operated by Boomtown Accelerators, founded in 2014 with a focus on general tech. The ten chosen startups will receive a combined $50K from Comcast Ventures and Boomtown Accelerators, for a minimum shared 6% stake in their company. All ventures will enter a three-month boot camp, based out of Atlanta, to begin in August. Industry partners will mentor the companies, but will not provide capital.
The potential startups will have expertise around eight specific industry categories, one of which is esports. The Sports Tech accelerator website states, “how Americans watch and play esports will greatly define the sports landscape for decades to come.”
Sports and entertainment subsidiary Comcast Spectacor currently includes the professional Overwatch League franchise Philadelphia Fusion among its portfolio, for which is it building a $50M purpose-built esports venue. The company also owns 34% of T1 Entertainment & Sports, an esports co-venture with SK Telecom (which owns 54%).
