06 Dec GSIC powered by Microsoft sets up base in Singapore to support the transformation of Asia’s sports tech ecosystem

• First international outpost of the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC) – an international reference innovation center for the sport industry with global network in more than 40 countries. Members include SportFive, SportsHub, Cricket Australia, ONE Championship, LaLiga, World Table Tennis, Conviva, HCL Technologies, among others.

• Launched in partnership with Sport Singapore, GSIC APAC will be the regional hub where start-ups, sport businesses, public agencies, and students can capitalize on access to sport tech field experts to develop capabilities.

• Sport Singapore’s various initiatives will further strengthen the ecosystem to catalyze the adoption of innovative technology in sport businesses’ strategies.
  • Sport Data Exchange (SportDeX) portal, launching in early 2022, will play a pivotal role in sharpening the industry’s data literacy and catalyze the use of big data.
  • Applications for the third wave of Enterprise Innovation and Capability Development Grant starting on 7 December 2021; giving businesses a head start to adopt technology

The Global Sports Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft (GSIC) opened its doors today in Singapore, welcoming entrepreneurs, start-ups, and businesses to develop innovation projects, collaborate on initiatives, and share knowledge and expertise. The launch of GSIC’s APAC headquarters will create opportunities for local and regional organizations to join a global network that supported of more than 450 members during the past 6 years.

Located in Singapore Sports Hub, the eponymous location of Singapore’s sporting scene, GSIC APAC seeks to become a strategic leader in addressing the challenges of the sport industry and bring value to the sport sector in the Asia Pacific region. Recognizing that access to international expertise is important for business growth, GSIC APAC seeks to be a regional conduit for activities and programs that enable the exchange of ideas and expertise. The regional headquarters in Singapore will provide world class resources and support for sports organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs in accelerating the growth of the local sports tech ecosystem, as well as support digital transformation of the local sports entities.

GSIC APAC will focus on seven areas:

• Applied Research, Innovation & Training – support forresearch projects that develop technological solutions to address the industry’s needs and enable knowledge sharing between public and private institutions.
• Business Network – global network of members to broaden commercial opportunities and partnerships.
• Startups & Companies – mentoring and technical advice from field experts and opportunities to connect with market leaders and global brands.
• Solutions showcase – visitors can experience a wide range of innovations ranging across technology in sports, health and physical performance improvement, fan engagement, Smart Stadium, and the latest trends in digital consumer experiences.
• Microsoft Partners Solutions – members can leverage GSIC’s strong alliance with Microsoft and enjoy access to the suite of Microsoft solutions, enabling more seamless collaborations with global partners.
• Digital Transformation Advisory Services – connect sports entities with the network of international companies through different activities such as workshops, specialized consulting, assessment of current business operations and recommendations for technological development and adoption.
• Sport for good – create a positive impact on the community through projects and innovations that foster an accessible, inclusive and sustainable sporting ecosystem. This includes Microsoft’s recent participation in the eSports Youth Programme by National Youth Council (NYC).

“GSIC APAC will play a critical role in bridging the gap between technology and the needs of the region. It will also provide expertise, resources, content and offer a variety of training opportunities, capabilities development and active engagement in projects that help companies, sports organizations, governments, and other stakeholders solve business challenges” said Ms Iris Cordoba, GSIC General Manager

Beyond connecting local and regional companies to a global network, this strategic partnership between GSIC and Sport Singapore also seeks to provide an avenue for businesses to proficiently adopt innovation for their operations. One such initiative by Sport Singapore is Sport Data Exchange (SportDeX), due to launch in early 2022. The secure portal is designed to be a one-stop solution for stakeholders to capitalize on data and insights to formulate strategies guided by big data.

While SportDeX will offer the infrastructure and channel to sharpen data literacy, Sport Singapore is also committed to empowering organizations to adopt technological innovations. Following two successful grant calls, the third wave of the Enterprise Innovation and Capability Development Grant will open for applications on 7 December 2021. It seeks to provide more stakeholders within the sport ecosystem with a head start to incorporate technology and digital solutions into their business masterplans. Key members from the GSIC APAC will also form part of the assessment of this panel to identify potential trailblazers for the sport tech world.

“The GSIC APAC launch marks an exciting chapter in Sport Singapore’s partnership with GSIC. This collaboration will accelerate growth in the sports tech ecosystem and strengthen Singapore’s position as a hub for the development and application of sport technology. GSIC APAC will also play an instrumental role in the capability development and nurturing of future leaders for the sport tech industry with opportunities to work with the industry’s best. As SportSG seeks to create a conducive environment for sport tech growth, SportDeX due to launch in 2022 will be the game changer to spearhead the use of big data to guide business planning. We look forward to uplift the local sport tech industry together with GSIC APAC, SportDeX and our Enterprise Innovation and Capability Development Grant”, said Mr. Lim Teck Yin, CEO of Sport Singapore.

This collaboration aims to enable cross-sectorial applications of ideas and technologies by enhancing sport’s value proposition to businesses. Together with Sport Singapore, GSIC APAC aims to create a local ecosystem of sports startups to support sports entities in their digital transformation.

GSIC APAC currently has partnerships with One Championship, ITTF, World Table Tennis, Cricket Australia, Singapore Sports Hub, Conviva, SportFive, HCL, Institute of Technical Education, Technogym, IMG, Global Esports Federation, as well as over 30 startups and tech companies that are already benefiting from their collaboration with GSIC. The new headquarters in Singapore will serve to elevate the sporting industry, whilst creating opportunities for members, new and current, to stay connected through workshops, round table discussions and other engagement efforts.

Sebastian Lancestremere, Sports Managing Director at Microsoft and GSIC President said, “GSIC APAC seeks to provide access to innovative digital solutions for the region’s sports entities and their fans, through a robust partner ecosystem. We also aspire to enable collaboration between sports organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, tech companies and entrepreneurs to harness the power of technology to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive sport ecosystem. We are thankful to the government of Singapore and Sport Singapore for their support in making this dream come true”.

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