Sportradar, a provider of sports data services for over 40 global sports, has announced the introduction of Acceleradar, a free data program to help support early stage startups. The startups accepted into the program will be awarded free data access, up to one year, via Sportradar’s API.
We spoke with Will Thornton, Sportradar’s Business Development Manager, about the details of the program.
1. ST: What criteria are you looking for in startups who apply?
WT: Our goal with this program is to stimulate innovation by boosting startups who have great ideas and need help getting them off the ground. We meet numerous companies who are stuck in exactly that situation. We’ve also seen multiple startups flourish by using our data and creating products that the sports community desperately wanted.
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As for criteria, we are open to working with any early-stage startup who is hungry and articulates a clear vision around a product that fills a need or changes the landscape. The program is US only. Acceleradar participants must be less than a year old and fit within our maximum funding requirements.
2. ST: Can you be more specific on what free data access means? What type of data and is there a limit to the amount of data that can be accessed within the one year?
WT: This is a rare case where free really does mean free. We are making access available to 18 sports, including popular US sports such as football, baseball, basketball and hockey. There are no restrictions on the use of the data as long as they conform to our standard terms of service. Sportradar is making its Premium level data available which contains generous call limits.
3. ST: Can you place a monetary value on the free data that the startups will receive for one year?
WT: That is a great question. It would be very difficult to place a monetary value of Acceleradar to a startup without understanding their specific products and needs. With that said, our standard pricing is available at our Dev Portal.
4. ST: Will Sportradar be taking an ownership stake in any companies that go through the Acceleradar?
WT: Not at all. This program is designed to open up data to those startups who were unable to take the next step with their product launch or concept. We want to see entrepreneurs thrive.
5. ST: How will Sportradar measure success for the Acceleradar?
WT: We want to create disruptors from places where funding isn’t necessarily available. If we can provide an avenue for creative people to make a successful product, whereas they otherwise would not have been able to, then Acceleradar has accomplished what we set out to do. We can’t wait to see what comes of this.
To learn if you qualify for Acceleradar, contact Sportradar at us-sales@sportradar.com.