The program is free and open to all, though certain criteria and conditions do apply. 

We are looking for companies with an innovative product/technology, capable of providing solutions to meet the challenges in sports as mentioned above.

The applications will be screened by a committee comprised of experts from the respective organizations involved, other industry experts might be added. The companies / solutions must meet the following criteria and conditions

Criteria:

• Year of incorporation – latest 2022
• Must have at least a minimum viable product/prototype validated in through use in the marketplace
• Strategic fit: Company fits within the above-mentioned areas and provide an unique solution to these challenges.
• Level of maturity: The project already has a commercial product or a proven MVP with some relevant customers/users or are in the process of finalizing the validation process of the MVP. Ideally the company is generating revenue or has been provided with outside funding through investors.
• Team: The proposed team includes a dedicated full-time or part-time staff member focused on the growing U.S. market and has the background to successfully accomplish the market entry process.
• Market potential: The size of the target customer(s) to which the project is addressing, as well as the purchasing capacity of these customer(s). The company must have a potential long-term impact on the sports sector. In addition, it will be positively valued if they can generate impact in related sectors.
• Feasibility: To have a business plan based on economic-financial profitability of the project and the generation of employment.
• Commitment: Ability to show commitment to enter the U.S. market, and willingness to dedicate resources in the short- and medium term.

What kind of startups / scale ups / small medium enterprises are we looking for? What do you have to meet?

• Be a legal entity (registered at the chamber of commerce in the Netherlands)
• Responsible Declaration of being up-to-date with their obligations with the State Tax Agency with the applicable Tax Agency, with the local administration and with the Social Security Treasury
• The founding partners and members of the team with decision-making capacity must attend and actively participate in the program (live and online)
• The company agrees to participate in the communication and dissemination activities that the promoting and collaborating partners may organize in order to promote the participants in the event and beyond.
• Participation in the live online educational program is free for all entering the program after screening, and it’s mandatory to be able to be selected for the pitch event at the KNVB in January
• Once selected for the US part of the program (the winners of the pitch event at the KNVB), the ability to pay for your travel costs (1 flight from the Netherlands, 1 flight to the Netherlands and 1 internal flight between Miami and Dallas) – this is per person, only 1 person (founder or team member with decision-making capacity) can represent the company during the US part of the program. Other costs are covered by the program

Your pitch (max 18 slides)

In addition to completing the application form, we expect the company to upload a pitch document with the following information (please make sure you don’t forget to describe these topics):

Company profile including year of incorporation, number of employees, turnover / capital raised and contact details

• Identification of the need or problem to be solved
• Value proposition and business model
• Identification of potential users, customers or market
• Main functionalities and Competitive differentiation
• Internationalization plan
• Scalability and growth
• Technical definition of the project (at a technical level) and commercially viable
• Reason for interest in participation:
  • Why do you see the US as your next step? 
  • Is there a need/market for your product in the US, and do you have the numbers and research to back that up? What other insights have you gained? What is your unique selling point in the most developed sports market in the world?
  • How do you see your market entrance in the US? Through an already established local sales channel, or are you going to set-up your own ‘shop’?
  • What are you looking for (investors, clients, partners, etc?)
  • What other markets outside of the Netherlands do you service and how?
  • Is your team capable of leading the company in(to) the US, do you have a plan for expansion? In other words, do you have resources (funds), expertise, labor, network in the US to follow up?
  • With this new market entry opportunity, how will it impact your current activities?

The pitch document may be submitted in free form (presentation/slide deck, letter form), but must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4) (max. 10MB).

Pitches must be in English!

All sessions during the program are mandatory. We expect applicants to be the representatives of the participating business (founder or CEO) and for these persons to commit to the program throughout its course.

Key dates include:

• October 21, 2023 – Application deadline
• November through December 2023 – Mandatory live online workshops by field experts at 19:00 NL time (CET)

1. 1. Thursday Nov 2: Starting Your Business Journey in the USA – by Levan
   2. Thursday Nov 9: The American Sports Consumer – UNT
   3. Thursday Nov 16: Business Development in the USA – Levan
   4. Wednesday Nov 22: The Fragmented Sports Structure – UNT
   5. Thursday Nov 30: Marketing Strategies – UNT
   6. Thursday Dec 7: How to Present and Pitch to Investors, Businesses, and Innovation Ecosystem leaders – Levan

• December 2023 – Re-submission deadline pitch deck and video for selection of final candidates
• January 25, 2024 – In-person pitch event for selected companies at KNVB
• February through May 2024 – Pitch preparation for winners pitch event (i.e. final cohort)
• May 2024 – Boot camp and pitch in Miami, Florida and Dallas, Texas for final cohort