The HYPE SPIN® Accelerator UK is a programme of virtual workshops, mentoring and introductions designed specifically to support nascent sports innovation and technology companies to develop and grow.
Hosted by Loughborough University London’s Institute for Sport Business, the programme is open to all early-stage companies who have an innovation-driven solution to a challenge in sports.
The SPIN Accelerator will yet again see the University’s sporting, technological and entrepreneurial might join together across its two campuses in London and Loughborough. In partnership with the Hype Sports Innovation, up to 25 teams will take part in a virtual selection boot camp at Loughborough University London, and half of these teams will be taken forward to the full programme.
The programme will culminate in a London demo day in September in front of leading investors, sports brands and members of the wider sports eco-system.
This year’s SPIN Accelerator will focus on three main growth areas: sustainability in sports, social impact and customisation.
Companies that are interested in applying for this year’s programme can do so here. The deadline for all applications has been extended to 30 April.
With the SPIN accelerator now in its third year, the scheme has seen some previous successes from Loughborough connected companies.
ORB, a company which manufactures performance trackers, was one of the companies involved in last year’s programme. Set-up at whilst he was still a student at Loughborough University, founder Robert Paterson said: “The SPIN Accelerator gave us at ORB a great boost onto the next level. Not only did it coincide with us scaling in terms of investment and staff, but the workshops provided fresh insight for us to confirm our next steps too.”
ARION, founded by Loughborough University alumnus Dr Andy Statham, were the overall winners of the programme in 2018. ARION has developed a smart insole that slips in your running shoes and can be used to educate runners on how to improve their performance.
Andy said of the programme: “The SPIN Accelerator programme proved to be a springboard from which we established new partnerships and new investment in the company. We owe a big thank you to the SPIN Accelerator team and Loughborough University, as well as all the supporting staff and participating companies”.
Lead academic for the SPIN Accelerator Professor James Skinner added: “Programmes like the SPIN Accelerator give the Institute for Sport Business so many different ways to connect with the ever-evolving sports industry. For our students and staff, it offers a chance to make connections, build our network and develop our practice as an Institute.
“Giving scalable businesses the opportunity to access our academic sporting and decision-making know-how through programmes like our accelerator is invaluable to our researchers. It gives them the opportunity to develop real-world solutions for real-world problems.”
Staff from across the University’s academic Schools are able to engage in the programme acting as mentors, speakers and even as part of participating companies.
If you would like to know more about the SPIN Accelerator programme, please contact Ben Cole by emailing b.p.cole@lboro.ac.uk.
The virtual selection boot camp will take place at Loughborough University London on 2 June, with the final demo day on the 18 September 2020.
More details on the SPIN Accelerator Programme can be found online.