Sports Technologies Network unveils ‘Sportstech Gold Coast Growth Plan’

Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) – the leading industry body for sports technology and innovation - today launches its ‘Sportstech Gold Coast Growth Plan’ in partnership with the City of Gold Coast as it moves forward with its goal of strengthening the region’s rapidly growing sportstech ecosystem.

The plan is being unveiled today at an ASTN event ‘Sportstech Uncovered’ at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct with the City of Gold Coast, key industry stakeholders and local sportstech leaders.

ASTN and the City of Gold Coast are committed to paving the way for sustainable growth to position the Gold Coast as a premier sportstech destination. This partnership aims to cultivate connection between key sportstech stakeholders, including from relevant industry to drive further collaboration in research, development, testing, utilisation, and promotion of sportstech solutions.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate shared “Sport is in our city’s DNA, so as we head towards 2032 this important new sportstech partnership will ensure the Gold Coast is on top of the innovation winners’ podium.”

In consultation with the City of Gold Coast, this initiative will establish a comprehensive framework to connect key stakeholders in the Gold Coast region, facilitate local networking and partnership opportunities, as well as drive further sportstech innovation and investment.

ASTN’s Sports Innovation Report 2023 highlights a concentration of sportstech activity in South-East Queensland, with 19% of startups based in Queensland. To-date, 20 early-stage QLD-based startups have participated in ASTN’s previous pre-accelerator cohorts and there are seven QLD-based startups that have been accepted into the current cohort as part of the QIC program delivery.

Dr Martin Schlegel, Executive Chair, ASTN says that Gold Coast’s passion for sport, commitment to fostering innovation, and eagerness to leverage digitisations continues to fuel the emergence of numerous new enterprises in anticipation of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Dr Schlegel advised "the Gold Coast is emerging as a prime destination for sportstech, blending existing infrastructure, a thriving local innovation ecosystem, and popular tourist destination. We already have several leading sportstech businesses headquartered from the Gold Coast, and we look forward to working closely with emerging startups, supporting their journey to grow and scale internationally.

“ASTN’s partnership with the City of Gold Coast marks an important milestone in bolstering Queensland’s sportstech ecosystem. With the introduction of the Sportstech Gold Coast Growth Plan, we’re building a dedicated strategy to capitalise on the rapid expansion of the sportstech cluster along Australia’s Eastern Seaboard.”

ASTN Gold Coast will be headquartered from within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP) at the Cohort Innovation Space.

ASTN, through its partnership with City of Gold Coast will host and facilitate several key events and programs over the next 12 months. These initiatives will showcase the sportstech industry and promote Gold Coast as a destination for sports innovation and like-minded collaborators, including from other related and influential industries, such as health and entertainment.

ASTN will work closely with sportstech companies, Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, City of Gold Coast, Griffith University athletes and researchers, Gold Coast-based sporting clubs, SSOs, stadiums and facilities. This strategy aims to bring together the full suite of committed innovators to develop, utilise and promote sportstech solutions.

Nikita Vogel, Queensland Manager, ASTN added “we’re committed to facilitating meaningful engagement between sportstech companies, and those who can utilise and benefit from sportstech solutions. As part of this strategy, we will provide a platform to showcase practical examples of sportstech solutions.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Gold Coast’s growing entrepreneurial talent and contributing to ASTN’s local programs, to help nurture the local sportstech ecosystem in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Image top: ASTN GC Sportstech Uncovered; Image centre: Amy Crosland, COO, ASTN; Nikita Vogel, QLD Manager, ASTN; Dr Martin Schlegel, Executive Chair, ASTN; Image below: Dr Martin Schlegel, ASTN; Dr David Martin; Lydia O'Donnell, Femmi; Amy Crosland, ASTN; Dr Martin Schlegel, ASTN