Sport startups: challenges of sport community and opportunities for startups

Paper ID : 1034-SSRC-13TH (R1)

Authors

Zeinab Mondalizadeh * sport management

Abstract

Sports startups are a new type of startup that is rapidly entering the global marketplace, incorporating digital technological innovations in new business ideas. The idea behind a startup is an entrepreneurial idea that can quickly become a reality and lead to a sustainable business. The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges in sports community and identity the opportunities for sports startups. The research approach was qualitative. Delphi questionnaires were used to identify the challenges of sport and the opportunities for sports startups within the services sectors. The statistical sample included the sports startups that were purposefully selected. Twelve entrepreneurs participated in the study. Findings showed that the challenges of the sport were three categories including individuals, society, and organization. Recognizing the challenges and problems of stakeholders can be a spark for starting a business. On the other hand, the wider community associated with sports, including employees, sports managers, ordinary people, the disabled, cancer survivors, people with disabilities, children, children with learning disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly, professional athletes and champions. Based on the challenges and the customers, the field of activity of sports startups is wide and multifaceted. In this regard, sports startups are widespread in sports equipment and facilities, laboratory equipment, rehabilitation, bio mechanics, sports software, sports nutrition, sports tourism, environment, and media. Sports startups can be launched in various fields, including the promotion and development of public sports, facilitating and improving the processes of club management, providing gadgets that improve sports activities. As a result, removing challenges and providing solutions appropriate to challenges at the macro and micro levels, along with the expansion of sports-related institutions and educational approaches to the issue of startups can lead to the successful launch of startup sports businesses in the community.

Keywords

“sports startups”, “challenges”, “opportunities”

Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation)