The MLS Innovation Lab launched in 2024.
COURTESY OF MLSMajor League Soccer prides itself on its forward-thinking and innovative approach.
Whether it’s the 10-year, $2.5 billion global media rights deal with Apple, the launch of the in-season Leagues Cup in 2023 or being the first major North American men’s league to return to play during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 with the MLS is Back tournament, America’s premier domestic men’s soccer league loves pushing the envelope.
Having utilized MLS Next Pro, its second division, as a testing ground for further innovation and trial and error regarding on-field rules and regulations, fan engagement and broadcast technology, MLS is creating a standardized program for startups and advanced technologies to showcase and test their products throughout the entire MLS ecosystem with the launch of MLS Innovation Lab.
The inaugural cohort features six startups focused on three core areas: player development, fan engagement and media technology.
A-Champs (Spain), Camb.AI (UAE), Fabric (U.S.), Fitogether (South Korea), Reeplayer (U.S.) and Staidium U.S. (U.S.) were the six companies selected from 451 applicants for the program. The startups showcased and presented their technologies and products to youth players and their parents as well as chief soccer officers from each MLS club during the week-long MLS Next Fest from December 5-10 in Arizona that officially kicked off the MLS Innovation Lab.
Founders and CEOs from the inaugural MLS Innovation Lab cohort spent a week showcasing their products...
COURTESY OF MLS
These companies will continue to test and showcase their products and technologies throughout the year across the MLS ecosystem including Generation Adidas Cup, MLS Next Cup and MLS Next All-Star Game. From there, three will be chosen to present to the league’s Board of Governors during the 2024 MLS All-Star Week in Columbus in the hopes of securing long-term strategic partnerships and investment opportunities from the league.
“We really wanted it to be a great win-win where MLS could really help accelerate these companies’ growth, and we think we’re bringing a lot of capabilities and brain power for them,” Schlosser said. “And second, we get an inside look at really awesome new founders and technologies that are going to impact the sports world and soccer world going forward, and that’s an awesome place to be.”
Startup accelerators aren’t new to sports. NBA Launchpad and NFL 1st and Future are two existing programs in North American sports, while the Deutsche Fußball Liga, which operates the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and DFL-Supercup in Germany, hosts the biennial SportsInnovation.
But where MLS believes it differs is with the extensive ecosystem it can offer a startup.
“I think every league goes about it a little differently based on the needs and interests of that particular league,” Schlosser said. “When we took a step back, we really looked across the soccer industry more than the U.S. sports industry. When we looked across the global soccer world, we felt like there was nothing out there that was like this for this global sport at this scale and this set of assets that could provide companies with this level of acceleration.”
With the inaugural MLS Innovation Lab cohort in place, Schlosser said the league plans to start sourcing its sophomore class in Q2 of 2024 with the hopes of having the startups secured by the end of the summer.
A-Champs rebounder being utilized at MLS Next Fest in Arizona.
COURTESY OF MLS2024 MLS Innovation Lab Cohort
A-Champs: Cognitive and technical training system for athletes of all skill levels.
Camb.AI: AI dubbing platform that instantaneously translates content into any language, while maintaining the native speaker’s voice and tone.
Fabric: Gamified mixed reality fan experiences at live events that drives fan engagement through rewards.
Fitogether: A FIFA-preferred provider for wearable player tracking, the technology utilizes GPS to track on-field performance through a video hybrid system.
Reeplayer: Premium AI camera empowering teams and organizations to automatically record, live stream, share and monetize soccer footage.
Staidium U.S.: AI-powered and 5G-enabled camera with an OTT platform that delivers live broadcasts, highlights and advanced game and player analytics.
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