LOS ANGELES, August 22, 2016 -- The Los Angeles Dodgers and R/GA Ventures are pleased to announce the five companies chosen for the second LA Dodgers Sports Accelerator. The program launches today in R/GA's LA office.
The companies include new platforms for creating real-time data, video, and highlights for amateur and professional sports teams, community-based content creation tools for brands and organizations, as well as innovative cleaning technology for high-performance sports apparel and gear. The companies are:
"The Dodger organization remains committed to utilizing our brand and this outstanding platform to continue to drive our industry forward," said Dodgers' President & CEO Stan Kasten. "The unbelievable worldwide interest in our first accelerator and the success the 10 companies achieved has certainly been a major asset to us and the sports and entertainment industry."
This program will build on the innovative format of the first program by focusing on growth-stage companies and immediate business opportunities designed to create a path to category leadership and scale. The program will be highly customized to each individual company, including curated connections with relevant domain experts. The companies will receive in-depth engagement with the Dodgers' leadership, business units, and industry network as well as with R/GA's award-winning strategic marketing, branding, design, and technology services.
In addition, starting on day one the companies will engage with a set of external partners to execute pilots and proof-of-concept initiatives designed to achieve line of sight to scaling their businesses.
"We are confident that the combination of a smaller class of growth-stage companies, a customized approach, and the engagement of our partners, the Dodgers organization, and R/GA will drive significant results," said Dodgers' Chief Financial Officer Tucker Kain. "We also see immediate growth opportunities for the program companies through collaboration based on the complementary nature of their businesses."
"R/GA looks forward to working intensively with the five companies in order to help create real momentum for each of them in their respective markets," said Stephen Plumlee, Global Chief Operating Officer, R/GA and Managing Partner of R/GA Ventures. "The design of this program will make it possible to create even more value for the program companies."
The program will conclude in early November with invite-only demo events at which each startup will present to industry leaders, partners, and customers in the sports, technology, and entertainment communities.
For more information, visit www.dodgersaccelerator.com and follow @dodgersaccel and @rgaventures.