Olympic Games

Fledging entrepreneurs in the Club France

Until the 21^st of August, professional and amateur athletes from all over the world will have their eyes fixes on the Corcovado: Rio de Janeiro is hosting the first South American edition of the Olympic Games.

And Club France took its quarters in the heart of the city. As a true embassy for French sports, the space is managed by the Comité national olympique et sportif français (CNOSF, French Sports and Olympic National Committee) and welcomed over 90,000 visitors during the London Olympic Games in 2012. Supporters, curious passer-byes, but also journalists and institution representatives came to watch sports events and celebrate the medal won by France with the athletes.

What's new for the 2016 edition? Four French start-ups making innovations in the sports industry have been selected to be present in the Club France and meet the general public: Arionéo, Sport Heroes, Vogo Sport and YPPA.

A game-changer in sports

As true representatives of the "Made in France" innovation, the start-ups all come from the Tremplin, a unique incubator for companies specialised in the sports industry. From high-level performance to individual or team experience of supporters in the stands, their innovations cover a wide array.

• Arionéo develops connected solutions (captors, trackers, and others) to analyse and improve the performance and health of racer horses.
• Sport Heroes is betting on the digital to boost sports and make it funnier and more appealing. The smartphone application allows amateur athletes to gain points throughout their training to win gifts from well-known brands.
• Vogo Sport innovates to offer a more comfortable view to supporters. The application allows to relive the high times of a game on a smartphone at different angles, with a replay at normal or slow speed.
• And YPPA, allows sport meeting holders to offer an unforgettable experience to their public. On their phone screen, watchers are invited to participate in light shows, the technological and shining version of the traditional wave before, during or after the game.

An innovative incubator dedicated to sports

Created in 2014, Le Tremplin is an incubator platform dedicated to sports by Paris&Co, the agency for economic development and innovation of the City of Paris.

Le Tremplin is settled in the recently renovated Jean Bouin Stadium and gathers 36 young companies. The organisation provides tailor-made services to support company development: access to subsidies, trainings and dedicated stakeholders, to coworking spaces and more. The goal is to allow companies to create solid bonds with players of sports industry in order to develop in France and he world.

The ambition of the Tremplin is clear and the presence of these four start-ups in Rio confirms it: make Paris a hot spot for innovation in the sports industry.

[Photo credits]
Bandeau © RioTur
Corps 1 © KMSP
Corps 2 © DR