Sport Tech: Bridging the Gap Between Athletics and Business

In the age of widespread innovation and technological advancement, the world of sports is no exception. Fueled by the ambitions of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the industry is embracing Sport Tech: the fusion of sports and technology. This burgeoning trend opens up a myriad of opportunities for athletes, enthusiasts, businesses, and investors alike. Aurélie Dyèvre and Jules Boisson, both active participants in this dynamic field and alumni of ESSEC Business School, offer their insights and experiences.

Aurélie Dyèvre is a trailblazer in Sport Tech. Equipped with training in AI and an MBA specializing in Sport Management from ESSEC, she forged a rich career path before dedicating herself to a mission she is passionate about: driving innovation in the sports sector to support growth and maximize impact. In 2014, she co-founded E-Cotiz, a startup facilitating online registration and payment management for sports clubs. Acquired by BPCE in 2016 and rebranded as Joinly in 2020, the startup ultimately joined MyCoach in 2022.

From April 2022 to June 2024, Aurélie served as the Vice-President of SporTech, a collective established in 2019 to unite and showcase all sport/tech startups in France – a pioneering initiative in the country. Aurélie enthused: ‘I wanted to build on the momentum of this organization by professionalizing its operations: securing sponsors, strengthening relationships with investment firms, organizing events featuring prominent athletes like Tony Parker and Raphaël Varane, and fostering closer collaboration with government ministries. I devoted a lot of time and energy with the primary goal of advancing the sportech sector. The timing was perfect, just ahead of OPG2024, and we experienced substantial demand with impressive growth.’

During her tenure, the former sprinter played a pivotal role in enhancing the influence and organizational structure of the French sportech ecosystem. ‘We were able to bridge connections between the Olympic Committee and startups within our collective, consistently striving to raise visibility and attract investment.’

Jules Boisson, currently serving as a development project manager at SporTech, was initially recruited by Aurélie for an end-of-year internship. Aurélie specifically sought out an ESSEC student for the role. Graduating from the global BBA program in 2022 and currently completing the final year of the Master in Strategy & Management of International Business (SMIB), Jules initially joined the collective for a six-month assignment. This internship has proven to be highly rewarding, offering a broad spectrum of responsibilities for advancing the association’s growth.

As a passionate sports enthusiast, Jules oversees applications and new memberships, introduces the organization to various private and institutional partners, and frequently travels to different regions to enhance the collective’s visibility. ‘In my first week, I represented the collective at a meeting at the Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and Digital Sovereignty, and conducted multiple interviews with entrepreneurs to evaluate their applications for membership,’ Jules recalls. ‘I was thrown in at the deep end, it was an incredible experience!’ In addition to his current duties, Jules actively participates in seeking new partnerships and securing funding sources to bolster the association’s initiatives.

The collective of startups working for innovation and impact in sport recently signed an agreement with the French Ministry of Sports and the French Ministry of Digital Affairs. Aurélie Dyèvre explains ‘This innovative action plan brings together a number of sports and innovation players around key partnerships and critical decisions for French sports startups,’ says.

Success stories like VOGO, which pioneers its own audio and video solutions, exemplify the potential within this ecosystem. Specializing in video and sound recording of sporting events, the artificial intelligence developed by this French startup enables real-time detection of referee errors and potential concussion risks following player collisions. Jule emphasizes that: ‘These companies demonstrate how technology can enhance athletic performance and athlete safety’.

A recent study conducted with Deloitte reveals remarkable growth in fundraising in France, highlighting a striking contrast in fundraising trends between France and the global landscape. Aurélie concludes: ‘France experienced a 23% increase in investment amounts in 2023, while the rest of the world saw a staggering 75% decline. This underscores the vibrancy and appeal of our ecosystem.’

Sport Tech embodies the successful fusion of sports and business, blending technological innovation with a deep passion for sports to build a more dynamic and inclusive future. Guided by passionate leaders such as Aurélie Dyèvre, this sector continually reinvents itself, showcasing how sports can truly drive change and foster innovation.