leAD SPORT1 Accelerator
Join the Program.
A joint venture between SPORT1, the #1 platform for live sports in Germany, and leAD, the premier sports venture ecosystem, the leAD SPORT1 Accelerator boosts sports tech startups from seed to fully functioning profitable ventures.
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Startups
Class of 2018
From the 10th September 2018 onwards the second leAD cohort took place in Berlin. Nine startups from around the world were chosen to receive 12 weeks of training in business, leadership and pitching skills. Watch the video to understand their journey in Berlin.
ABOUT
The Deal.
We’ll host you and your team in Berlin – one of the most promising startup capitals in the world — for three months. We’ll enrich your team spirit, feed your entrepreneurial savviness, accelerate your learning curve, challenge your pivoting skills, grow your network, and open doors to the most important players in the sports industry.
12 weeks of high-intensity training
Business, leadership and pitching skills, stress testing your business plan and a full setup of business documents and legal framework.
Embedded in a high-class industry and experts network
Sports business veterans, successful founders, CEOs as well as VC’s and tech experts that share their experience, skills, and network.
Test, improve and scale your product
Get not only the smartest early product feedback possible with our industry partners, but possibly also gain customers.
Get direct access to capital
Pitch in front of dozens of investors at demo day and in 1:1 meetings with selected VCs.
Benefit from service partner deals
Tailored to the needs of startups and sports startups in particular.
25.000€
For each one of the final startups to cover your expenses.
Gain visibility via leAD
The first sports accelerator in Germany and one of the 1st movers globally.
Live your "Passion for Sports"
Free membership deals plus regular sports and mindfulness sessions on-site.
leAD receives 8% equity
Of the final selected startups.
In an age where disruption has become the norm, leAD is the home for founders, brands, and investors who want to be part of the Sports & Health Tech growth story. Our Academy is dedicated to finding the companies of the future for our shareholders and partners. Our Portfolio companies continue to deliver impressive growth as the leAD companies become collectively worth over a billion dollars. Our Funds, the ADvantage Fund and the Lake Nona Fund, are great sources of capital for the world’s leading Sports Tech founders. - Andrew White, leAD Chairman
Entrepreneurship at its best is a team sport. Without the right players, coaches, and supporters, we wouldn't be where we are today. Our high caliber stakeholders – investors, partners, mentors with a wide range of expertise in sports and health – in combination with our unique investor club, bringing network, capital, and invaluable experience to the table, are a major part of our success and growth. - Christoph Sonnen, leAD CEO
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Interested in joining our program?
Reach out to our scouting team!
Timeline
OUR PROCESS
APPLICATIONS OPEN & FAST TRACK EVENTS
18 Feb
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25 May
01 May
-
10 Jun
Primary Screening Of All Applications
Selection Days
24 Jun
-
25 Jun
02 Aug
Class of 2019 Starts
Demo Day
04 Nov
14 Nov
-
30 Nov
Follow Up with VC & Investors
Follow up leverage
ON GOING
MENTORS
Meet the Mentors.
Program participants attend intensive training sessions with our partners and mentors – experts in their disciplines who have one thing in common: a true passion for sports.
PARTNERS
Partner Deals & Network.
Participants benefit from exclusive product and service deals by our partners and access to our vast network of pivotal corporates in the sports and startup world.
Urban Sports Club
Urban Sports Club is the most flexible and diverse sports offer in your city. You can choose between 50+ types of sports (ranging from classic gym workout, swimming, yoga, or bouldering, to team sports and lots more).
Deal
Urban Sports Club is giving startups from the leAD Sports Accelerator a special discount on their membership.
Facilities
Amazon Web Services
Amazon Web Services partners with leAD Sports Accelerator and offers a plethora of benefits for companies backed by LSA. This includes training, credits, business support and a whole team devoted to helping startups scale their company.
Deal
Amazon Web Services offers discounted rates for their services to all selected leAD startups.
Hosting & IT
GoCardless
GoCardless provides a simple and cost-effective way to accept recurring payments by Direct Debit across the Eurozone (SEPA), UK (Bacs) and Sweden (Autogiro).
Deal
GoCardless is delighted to offer the leAD portfolio 50% off fixed fees for the Plus and Pro packages for their first 12 months.
Payment
GORNYLAW
Be it the natural evolution of the business or pivoting, entrepreneurs need to be ready to adapt. Gornylaw is a boutique law firm that offers flexible and tailor-made solutions with a personal approach to suit the needs of startups.
Deal
All leAD startups will receive a free first consultancy on IP law as well as special discounts on tailor-made packages. They will also get 30% off the 2017 hourly rates for IP, Trademark, Sports, Media, Food and Business Law.
Services
SKW Schwarz
Digital change transforms the world at a rapid pace. SKW Schwarz roots go back to 1949 and they offer legal advice that tackles today what will be the issues of tomorrow.
Deal
SKW Schwarz gives all selected leAD startups a 20%-40% discount off the hourly rate and more depending on overall amount of hours and 30%-40% off the IP application rates (German, EU and IR Trademark).
Legal
ChillBill
ChillBill, your digital shoebox for your invoices, helps startups which are at the beginning of a long and exciting entrepreneurial journey to never lose track of their finances again.
Deal
ChillBill is giving startups from the leAD Sports Accelerator a special offer on their services during the duration of the program.
Tools & Software
Fab Lab Berlin
Fab Lab Berlin is an open digital fabrication studio where you can learn how to use 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, design software and electronics to make (almost) anything you want.
Deal
Fab Lab is offering individual discounts on their services for all selected leAD startups.
Services
Lemberg
Lemberg is an IoT, mobile and web development company focused on accelerating startups with feasible technologies. Lemberg is currently running a team of 90+ professionals who can help startups throughout all stages of IoT.
Deal
Lemberg supports the leAD startups with hardware design and prototyping, embedded software development, mobile apps creation, cloud development and integrations with third-party systems and devices.
Hosting & IT
petitcode
petitcode is an avantgarde collective from Berlin specialized in full-service IT solutions and digital strategies. Their multi-disciplinary team of developers, engineers, marketers and project managers offers a wide selection of customized services.
Deal
petitcode offers discounted rates for selected services to all leAD startups.
Tech
CurrencyTransfer.com
CurrencyTransfer.com is the world’s first global payments marketplace. With over 10,000 registered clients, CurrencyTransfer saves you time and money by ensuring the best rates from the right marketplace supplier for every international payment.
Deal
leAD startups get preferential rates for international transfers on the more than 40 currency pairs and 600+ routes available on the global payments marketplace, access to award-winning risk management tools, and a dedicated relationship manager.
Payment
Sports Innovation Lab
The Sports Innovation Lab evaluates and identifies the technology products and services that will power the future of sports. The Boston-based firm uses data analysis to reveal compelling stories that mobilize global partnerships.
Deal
leAD startups have access to Sports Innovation Lab’s software platform and expert analysts to obtain objective data and insights, alongside participating in joint webinars and events to educate sports-tech leaders about emerging trends.
Services
OUR PROCESS
The Program.
Our program is designed to provide you with lots of knowledge to boost your business while giving you enough time to put these insights into practice. Expect weekly input and coaching sessions in the most relevant topics and weekly recurring activities to help you set and meet milestones, deepen your knowledge, grow your network and have fun while at it.
