Maccabi Haifa FC announces its partnership with HYPE to host the first Sports Innovation (SPIN) Accelerator program in Israel. The program will focus on developing innovation in sports, specifically in football, and will maximise the great potential that Israeli sports tech startups have. The Israeli program is a part of a global network of SPIN Accelerators and joins leading host partners around the world. The program curriculum considers sports startup's needs and connects them to the global market leaders. In addition, the program lecturers’ are seniors from some of the world's leading sports clubs and technology brands.

          

Being a part of a global SPIN Accelerators network, the program runs simultaneously with partners from the Silicon Valley in the USA, Australia, Germany, UK, Sweden, Italy and more. Among its senior lecturers are Mr. Guy-Laurent Epstein; CMO at UEFA, Mr. Uli Becker; the Ex President of Reebok, Mr, Rod Nenner; VP at Washington Redskins and others. During the first cycle of the program in 2018, 40% of the startups raised investment.

The SPIN Accelerator program in Maccabi Haifa will invite startups with football-centric innovative solutions in the following sectors: fan engagement, performance and analytics, wearable technology, big data, smart stadiums and more.

          

Asaf Ben Dov, Maccabi Haifa CEO noted: 

“As one of our clubs’ goals is to develop innovation around football, I’m very excited to connect with the leading entity in the sports innovation field. This collaboration is important for the development of our team and club’s performance and abilities. The sport industry as a whole is undergoing major transformation and we, as a club, must stay ahead of the game in order to stay in the lead.” 

He added, 

“Many startups are knocking on our doors and now we will have the ability to address that in a meaningful way. I have no doubt that by launching the SPIN Accelerator we will be able to impact Israeli Football”.

HYPE, a global company with its headquarters based in Israel, runs a network of 8 SPIN Accelerators around the world. In addition, the company runs several main activities with sports federations and brands, connecting them to thousands of sports startups. This leads to investment and implementation of innovation in the various leading sports sectors, globally. This is the first time HYPE will engage in a long-term program with an Israeli body, in order to grow the sports innovation sector in the startup nation.

Amir Raveh, HYPE founder and president noted:

“All eyes are on the first startup-nation SPIN Accelerator, and the choice in Maccabi Haifa was natural as it will allow Israel to present it’s excellence and innovation in the center of the global sports arena. We are thrilled and looking forward to the success stories that will come out of this mutual program.”
         

About Maccabi Haifa

Maccabi Haifa Football Club was established in 1913 and since 1992 it is being ran by Israeli businessman and the club’s president, Mr. Yaacov Shahar. Since the 2014-2015 season, the team played in the Sammy Ofer Stadium. Maccabi Haifa is one of Israel’s leading clubs, based on its long term achievements: winning in 12 Israel championships, 6 Israel cups, 4 Toto Cups, and they are a 3-time Israeli Super Cup winner. "In addition, the club has had significant success in Europe, being the first Israeli club to reach the Group Stage of the Champions League (2002- 2003 season) and the first to join the European Clubs Association (ECA). In recent years, Maccabi Haifa invested much in developing its community relations and innovation in football, and is leading these sectors. 

For more information please visit mhaifafc.com

          

About HYPE:

HYPE has built the largest, global ecosystem in sports innovation. With over 29,000 members, including retail brands, athletic clubs, federations, and academia together with over 9,000 startups, HYPE has an unrivalled capacity for outreach to global partners across all sectors in this highly diverse field. The company’s business model is to leverage this platform to grow from the surging needs of the sports industry to innovate. Since its inception, HYPE has created and expanded unique offerings and services, all with unprecedented successes and value added for investors, partners, and consumers. Among its clients are UEFA, Adidas, Spalding, Silicon Valley Bank, Asics, Google, and many more. 

Visit HYPE at: hypesportsinnovation.com