DivInc Houston Launches Inaugural 5G Sports Tech Accelerator in partnership with Verizon
The accelerator program supports startup s led by underrepresented founders changing the future of sports and esports.
Style Magazine Newswire | 1/26/2022, 1:47 p.m.
DivInc, the premier startup accelerator for people of color and women entrepreneurs, is proud to announce the launch of its first Sports Tech Accelerator made possible through support from title sponsor, Verizon.
DivInc’s 5G Sports Tech Accelerator in partnership with Verizon supports startups using technology to drive human performance, fan experience, the future of media, sports betting, esports, and gaming innovation. It was designed to identify and equip sports and esports startups with the resources they need to succeed.
“DivInc is extremely excited and proud to lead this sports innovation initiative because it represents the beginning of an unprecedented collaboration throughout Houston and Texas,” remarked Preston James, DivInc Co-Founder and CEO. “Houston is putting a stake in the ground to establish itself as a leading sports innovation hub in the US, and we’re making it authentically inclusive of underrepresented founders from the beginning, the way it’s supposed to be.”
DivInc collaborates with professional sports and sports tech subject matter experts to serve as mentors, advisors, coaches, and investors to help cohort founders build businesses that are attractive to teams, leagues, and agencies. In total, 10 companies will be accepted to the 12-week program which will run from April through June 2022 and will take place at The Ion in Midtown Houston. Upon completion of the program, each participating company will receive $10,000 non-dilutive seed funding provided by Verizon.
“Verizon is so pleased to continue its partnership with DivInc in Houston to support diverse and underrepresented founders, now expanding to the area of Sports Tech,” noted Carrie Hughes, Director of Social Innovation for Verizon. “We look forward to supporting innovators in this space, where Verizon has significant experience, and which has the potential to be transformed by 5G and leading edge technology.”
Verizon will also collaborate with the DivInc team on programming and thought leadership initiatives throughout the accelerator.
The Spring 2022 5G Sports Tech Accelerator in partnership with Verizon is also supported by Houston premier partners, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., The Ion, and Mercury, along with supporting sponsor, Intel, and programming partners HTX Sports Tech, The Cannon Sports & Media, Sports Innovation Texas, and Women in Sports Tech.
Applications for the Spring 2022 Sports Tech Accelerator launch on January 27, 2022. Learn more at www.divinc.org/sportstech