New technology from startup ventures is transforming the global sports industry. This Startup Series has introduced over 200 startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience by allowing Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story and pitch their idea. Feel free to submit your startup’s answers to the below questions or contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for inclusion in this series. This particular startup is a part of HYPE Foundation’s “Top 50” Program. HYPE created a global platform which aims to accelerate and invest in sports innovation.
Company name: My Next Match Trading LTD
Founder(s): Oner Avara
Headquarters: London, England
1. What is your elevator pitch?
My Next Match is a new sports management software company with the aim is to modernise, streamline and simplify organising sports events and competitions; to create a safer and fairer environment for everyone from recreational athletes to world champions; and to provide various sports with a single, simple to use hub that can be used by federations, coaches, promoters, doctors, athletes and fans.
2. Problem & Solution
Tournaments/Matchmaking – Events Coordinators are currently matchmaking and negotiating through social media or by telephone, email or text, and often the only available information about each athlete is incorrect or inaccurate, leading to potentially dangerous or unfair matches.
Our comprehensive database of registered athletes and clubs combined with our unique algorithm guarantees that athletes are properly and fairly matched according to their skills and experience. This will ensure that appropriate matches can be arranged at every level.
Medical Card – Currently, athletes carry a paper medical card that is filled out by the officiating doctor on the day of the event and which is usually discarded once filled up. If the card is lost then vital information about prior injuries and conditions is unavailable and athletes could be deemed fit to fight when they are not.
My Next Match has developed a digital, inter-sport medical card for each registered athlete, which is stored in a central and secure database accessible only to doctors. This allows all post-match injuries to be recorded electronically and Doctors can evaluate if an athlete is fit to compete.
Management – Sporting federations use client relationship management (CRM) systems to manage their clubs and athletes, but these systems are becoming increasingly outdated, inefficient and are open to corruption.
We have developed a CRM system which enables clubs to directly affiliate to their federation and pay all their club and athlete subscriptions through this platform. This allows for a paper and financial trail through My Next Match.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
As My Next Match started with combat sports initially, this is our initial target market with the idea to expand to multiple sports.
Governing Bodies – There are currently 16 major combat sports international governing bodies, and these are made up of 2105 national governing bodies around the world.
Growing MMA Fan Base – According to research undertaken by Repucom, the global leader in sports measurement and evaluation, 2012-2015 saw an 18% growth in interest in MMA from 295 million to 348 million people and predicts that combat sports will continue to grow and new formats will take hold.
Growing Boxing Fan Base – There are currently over 700 million boxing fans worldwide, and interest in the sport is rising further following the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Sports Fans as Adopters of Technology – Repucom research has shown that sports fans have a greater propensity to adopt technology than the greater population. 78% of sports fans go on the internet while watching sports and 62% engage in social media while watching sports.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
The bespoke CRM system will be sold to federations worldwide based on an annual charge per user. The basic system will be modified to suit the specific needs of each federation or sport.
The users will benefit from all the tools My Next Match offers on that fixed user base charge such as Medical Card, Tournament/Matchmaking, educational courses and the social network.
The educational events and tournament fees which are paid through the platform, a small percentage will be taken from all transactions.
Pay-Per-Click advertising on the site will be established and will become a key revenue stream.
Sponsorship revenues, either directly to My Next Match or commission from the National Governing Bodies.
Blog – HOW TO: See tournament competitors and medallists on MyNextMatch. https://t.co/ZPtSW8ItmX pic.twitter.com/1RFhvX1s1j
— MyNextMatch (@mynextmatch) December 20, 2016
5. Management Team – with titles
Oner Avara, CEO
Studied business management at the Anatolian University .
Ex Chairman Islington Boxing Club.
Founder and athlete, Left Hook amateur boxing gym.
Qualified England Boxing Coach.
Founder All Done, a successful London-based, high-end design and build company.
6. Anything else you want the audience to know about your venture?
Experiencing a serious growth in VR technology, the sport industry has become fixated on improving fan engagement, seemingly neglecting the basics of communications.
My Next Match aims to get the basics right before expanding on more complex technological management functions. My Next Match is the most cost effective and unique platform of its kind. There are closed box CRM competitors on the market but these cost on average £30,000 a year with extremely limited functions compared to our system. Our inclusion of a CRM system, a medical card and a social media platform makes us the most complete and distinctive sports management platform in the world.
Through our user friendly and accessible interface, My Next Match gives governing bodies, clubs, coaches, athletes and fans the tool to efficiently manage whilst engaging through a sport specific social platform.
We currently work with one major international sporting body, and their subsequent 65 national bodies. We are also in talks with two other international bodies, who also have in excess of 60 recognised members each.