-Bryce Tully, innerlogic’s CEO and co-founder, speaking at the FSL incubator kick-off.
Following an extensive application and interview process, two Atlantic Canadian startups set sail for success. Halifax-based companies Innerlogic and TheProgram.ai announced their acceptance into the Future of Sport Lab Incubator (FSL), claiming two of the eight spots available to Canadian sport tech startups.
The Future of Sport Lab
Future Lab of Sport (FSL) is a collaborative lab and incubator for sport innovation and research supported by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and managed by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Applications for the incubator cohort came from across the country, including companies from coast to coast. “Of the approximately 70 applicants, the Halifax companies were selected as two of the eight for this cohort. We were impressed not only by Innerlogic’s and TheProgram.ai products but also their breadth of experience in the sports & entertainment industry.” said Sumit Arora, Vice President, Business & Strategy at MLSE. “The process to enter the program was rigorous. It included a detailed application, followed by an interview in front of a panel of experts from FSL, MLSE, and TMU for final selection.”
“When we got the email that we were accepted into the FSL incubator, it was a huge burst of energy and excitement in our company. We’re so proud to be representing the east coast tech community at a National level,” said Bryce Tully, CEO and co-founder of innerlogic.
Dr. Cheri L. Bradish, the founding director of FSL, said, “we had actually had Innerlogic on our radar for some time, given their growing reputation in the sport system space – and were thrilled they were accepted to our program. Their product couldn’t be more timely and needed given the current wide examination of sport and culture, and as a result, they have seen good early traction since being a part of this cohort.”
Brendon Ferguson, CEO of TheProgram.ai said, “It’s been well publicized that Atlantic Canada has an up-and-coming tech sector, but it’s also quietly becoming a hub for sports technology companies specifically. The success of a few early sports-tech companies [like Kinduct] in the region has led to the next generation of innovative start-ups in a rapidly evolving industry. We’re thrilled to see a forward thinking organization like FSL recognize that innovation.”
Dr. Mark Kovacs, strategic advisor to TheProgram.ai and the CEO of the Kovacs Institute, said, “It’s great to see initiatives like FSL take an interest in TheProgram.ai. Using technology to connect kids to these programs and ultimately get them playing sports, is what TheProgram.ai is all about, that’s why I’m so excited for this project to be getting this kind of attention.”
Starting in June, the FSL had the companies participate in programming through the Ted Rogers School of Business and the DMZ business incubator. They received mentorship from various MLSE executives. The incubator wrapped up in September with a “demo day” in Toronto where the startups got a chance to pitch their ideas to select business investors, mentors and partners.
By representing 25 percent of the cohort, these two companies show how much innovation and business talent exists in Atlantic Canada. They are leading the way as top sport tech startups disrupting the space with innovative ideas to improve the sport experience for athletes, coaches and administrators. We look forward to continued partnerships with these stakeholders and TheProgram.ai.
About Innerlogic
Innerlogic is a measurement software that helps sport and other organizations assess their culture at multiple levels, both relationships- and results-oriented, ensuring sport environments are safe, inclusive, aligned and high-performing. Organizations like the government of Canada, University sport teams and administrations, and Provincial sport bodies are partnering on innerlogic to provide proactive, practical solutions to culture measurement and review processes.
About TheProgram.ai
TheProgram.ai is a community platform that provides a new vehicle for delivering sports and fitness content to youth in a fun and interactive way to keep them engaged in healthy lifestyle behaviours and create a meaningful lifelong relationship with sport and fitness. The company offers this out-of-the-box mobile application to any organization looking to engage kids in sport, allowing them to advance their mission without undertaking the cost and effort associated with developing a custom mobile application.
