Maccabi Haifa's start-up program has advanced to the next stage as the club's CEO, Assaf Ben Dov, took part in the international launch of the world's largest accelerator network of sports technologies in collaboration with HYPE Sports Innovation. This is a project of the club to promote start-ups in the field of sports innovation (as part of the accelerators program). Football clubs such as FC Köln, Shakhtar Donetsk, Fenerbahçe S.K. and Chiao Tung University from Taiwan also took part in the launch. Registration for the green start-up program was opened earlier this week.
"It is with great pride that I am in Stamford Bridge to represent Maccabi Haifa as the leader of innovation in Israeli sports," said Assaf Ben Dov, the club's CEO. "We are embarking on a journey in which we will recruit fascinating companies for our program. We will open the club to new products, and the continuous accompanying by the best mentors in the world in their field, up to an investment as much as possible. We are glad to have chosen a partner like HYPE, who has a lot of experience and understanding, for the program. It will help us be what we strive to be in everything, it will help us be the best."
Amir Raveh, Founder & CEO of HYPE Sports Innovation, said during the launch: "I look back and remember how this vision was only a project. I'm happy to say that we're already in the second round, after a very successful first round. We couldn't succeed without the cooperation of Maccabi Haifa. In addition, sports industry leaders are also helping. We are committed to launch a very successful class of accelerators for start-ups, which will ultimately help the development of sports and technology."
Maccabi Haifa invites start-up companies in early stages of development to join the club's accelerator program and HYPE. During the course of the program they will receive accompanying, guidance, ground for experimentation and of course they will open some doors for new opportunities and connection to international sports organizations. The companies that will eventually be selected will be part of the global program and will receive exposure from leading sports organizations around the world.