For Startup Founders — Sports Technology
Stop
cold
pitching.
Get warm.
Sports Tech Atlanta puts your company in front of the leagues, VCs, and brands that are actively looking for what you've built — through a matchmaking network that qualifies both sides before anyone gets on a call.
// STA network — active partners
Seventy Six Capital
Sports technology VC
NWSL
League partner — fan engagement
KB Partners
Sports & media fund
Ladies European Tour
League partner — data & analytics
Lake Nona Sports Fund
Health & performance fund
Sportradar
Data & AI partnerships
Gener8tor
Accelerator — deal flow
Aqua Bloom International
Global sports tech group
8+
// network partners
60 days
// avg. to first intro
AI · VR · Health
// categories we cover
Global
// network reach
// the problem
The sports tech market is
crowded. Signal is rare.
Every league, VC, and brand is being pitched constantly. The startups that break through aren't always the best — they're the most connected. We fix that.
Cold emails get ignored
Decision-makers at leagues and funds receive hundreds of pitches. Without a trusted intermediary vouching for you, your deck never gets opened.
You're pitching the wrong people
Most founders spend months chasing investors or partners who aren't actually buying in their category. The STA network is pre-qualified — we know who's actively looking for what you've built.
First meetings start from zero
When you get a meeting without context, you spend the whole call explaining basics. Our warm intros mean both sides arrive briefed — the conversation starts at the right level.
Pilots stall without alignment
Even good matches fail when expectations aren't set properly. We align both sides on what success looks like before the pilot begins — so it actually leads somewhere.
// what you get
Everything you need to
close the right partners.
01
Database listing
02
Active matchmaking
03
Warm introductions
04
Advisory & strategy
05
Events & community
Free · Passive
Get in the database — be discoverable
Submit your company profile to the STA matchmaking database at matchsportstech.com. Our team actively mines it when a league, VC, or brand partner comes to us with a specific need. You don't have to do anything — we'll reach out when we see a fit.
- Profile visible to the entire STA partner network
- Passive match consideration on every new partner inquiry
- STA newsletter and community access
- Event invitations when relevant matches are in attendance
Paid · Active
We actively go find your match
Instead of waiting for your profile to surface, our team actively prospects the network on your behalf. We identify the right leagues, funds, and brands for your specific stage and category — then make the case for why they should meet you.
- 2–4 qualified introductions per month
- Active prospecting across NWSL, LET, cycling, and VC partners
- Category-specific targeting — we know who's buying in your space
- Monthly strategy call to align on pipeline and next steps
Included in all tiers
Both sides arrive briefed
Every introduction we make is warm and specific. We brief the partner on exactly who you are, what you've built, and what you need. You get a context sheet on them in return. First calls start at the right level — not with "so, tell me about your company."
- Pre-introduction brief sent to both parties
- Context sheet on every partner — their budget, timeline, and what they're looking for
- STA attends introductory calls on request
- Follow-up support to keep the relationship moving
Advisory retainer
Strategy, pitch, and go-to-market
For founders who need more than introductions — we help with go-to-market strategy, pitch deck positioning, fundraising narrative, and retail partnership structure. Available as a retained engagement alongside the matchmaking service.
- Go-to-market strategy for sports leagues and brands
- Pitch deck advisory — positioning for sports-specific investors
- Retailer pitch support: Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Walmart
- 1:1 consulting hours and access to STA dinners
Community
The rooms where deals start
Quarterly dinners and events where founders meet the exact investors and league executives they're trying to reach — in a small, off-the-record setting. These aren't panels or pitch nights. They're intentional relationship-building dinners with people who have budget and authority.
- Quarterly investor dinners — invite only
- Curated seating — you're placed next to the right people
- No pitch format — relationships first, business naturally follows
- Access grows with your tier level
// matchmaking platform
Built to surface the
right fit — fast.
// active match — fan engagement · seed stage
FanPulse Analytics
SEED
Real-time fan data · mobile-first · B2B SaaS · $180K ARR
// match confidence: 94%
⇅ matched with
NWSL Club Partner
ACTIVE
Seeking fan engagement tools · Q3 budget approved · pilot-ready
// intro sent by STA — both sides briefed
The STA matchmaking platform at matchsportstech.com is your entry point into the network. Submit your profile once — we do the matching work.
01 //
Category-specific matching
We match on what actually matters — your tech category, stage, target customer, and what kind of partner you need. Not just keywords.
02 //
Pre-qualified partners only
Every league, VC, and brand in our network is there because we have an active relationship with them. No cold intros into organizations where we don't have a contact.
03 //
Covers women's sports specifically
Our network spans the NWSL, Ladies European Tour, and elite amateur leagues — one of the fastest-growing and most underserved areas in sports tech investment.
// pricing
Start free. Scale
when you're ready.
Every engagement starts with a free database listing. Upgrade to active matchmaking or advisory when you need more firepower.
// listed
Free
Database entry · passive
Get in the network and be discoverable. We'll reach out when we see a fit for your company.
- Profile in the STA matchmaking database
- Passive match consideration
- Newsletter and community access
- Event invitations
Most popular
// matched
$X/mo
Active matchmaking
We actively prospect and facilitate 2–4 qualified introductions per month on your behalf.
- Everything in Listed
- Active prospecting by the STA team
- 2–4 warm intros per month
- Pre-intro brief on both sides
- Monthly strategy call
- Deal tracking and follow-up
// advisory
Custom
Retained advisory
Full-service strategy alongside matchmaking — for founders who need go-to-market, fundraising support, and retail partnerships.
- Everything in Matched
- Go-to-market strategy
- Pitch deck advisory
- Retailer pitch support
- 1:1 consulting hours
- Investor dinner access
// who you'll get in front of
The network you're
trying to reach.
// vc · deal flow
Seventy Six Capital
Active deal flow and due diligence relationship with Scott Powell and Chad Stender. Partnership development with Drive Hockey.
// vc · deal flow
KB Partners
Due diligence and deal flow with Lance Dietz. Focus on sports media and technology at the intersection of consumer and enterprise.
// vc · health & performance
Lake Nona Sports Fund
Deal flow and advisory relationship. Focus on health, performance, and innovation in sports and wellness technology.
// league · fan engagement
NWSL
Active league partner seeking fan engagement, data analytics, and live valuation technology. One of the fastest-growing leagues in North America.
// league · data & analytics
Ladies European Tour
Active league partner. STA has facilitated multiple technology conversations across data, AI, and fan experience for the LET.
// accelerator · deal flow
Gener8tor
Deal flow relationship with Gener8tor's sports technology cohorts. Access to accelerator-stage companies and co-investment opportunities.
The right intro
changes everything.
One warm introduction to the right league or VC can do more for your company than six months of cold outreach. The STA network is built on real relationships — and we actively use them on your behalf.
01 //
Join the database
Submit your profile at matchsportstech.com — free, takes 5 minutes. You're immediately visible to the entire STA partner network.
02 //
Apply for active matchmaking
Fill out the application form. Sterling will review and respond within 48 hours if you're a fit for the active matchmaking program.
03 //
First introduction within 2–3 weeks
Once onboarded, expect your first warm introduction within two to three weeks — with full context on both sides before the call.