In June 2022, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) inaugurated the Sports Tech HQ initiative, which has recently garnered an additional $4.5 million from the IEDC, earmarked to support its activities over the coming two years. This new allocation represents a doubling of the initial $2.25 million funding provided by the IEDC two years earlier.
Both the previous and the current funding injections originate from the state’s 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. The agreement for this latest round was finalized in April 2024, with the arrangement set to extend until the end of March 2026.
Jeffrey Hintz, the Executive Director of Sports Tech HQ, commented on the funding, stating, “This will significantly enhance our capabilities and expand our outreach.”
Sports Tech HQ aims to develop Indiana’s sports technology landscape by attracting startups and integrating them into the state’s robust sports infrastructure.
Significant milestones for Sports Tech HQ include partnerships and planned expansions in Indiana by several innovative companies. Notably, Edge Sound Research from California, known for its technology that merges visual and tactile sound experiences, declared in December its collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Other startups like Ganance from Chicago, DaVinci Wearables from Cambridge, and Wiistream from Ireland have also expressed plans to establish operations in Indiana.
Moreover, February saw the announcement of a new simulation racing venture, Dallara-AK Esports, a collaboration between Italy’s Dallara and AK Informatica.
With the increased funding from the IEDC, Hintz expressed optimism about continuing these partnerships and attracting new startups to Indiana.
Looking ahead, Sports Tech HQ is preparing to expand its team, currently consisting of Hintz and a part-time worker, with new roles in marketing and business development set to be filled by the end of the year, potentially increasing the workforce to six members.
Hintz emphasized the importance of maintaining their competitive edge, stating, “We’ve got a head start, and we must sustain our lead to stay competitive.”
He also highlighted the competitive landscape, noting that Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, are key players in this sector. Texas hosts HTX Sports Tech, and Atlanta houses the ComCast SportsTech Accelerator, both comparable initiatives launched in 2020.
