Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), the industry body for sports technology and innovation, has partnered with eLearning platform etrainu to offer three key ASTN pre-accelerator eLearning modules to Australia’s emerging sportstech entrepreneurs.
The partnership will enable sportstech entrepreneurs are able to watch ASTN’s pre-accelerator program modules through etrainu’s platform, allowing them to access the content anytime and anywhere from any device. These pre-accelerator programs support start-up entrepreneurs to validate their on- or off-field sports and technology business idea against competitors, vendors and VCs or simply gain an introduction to innovation processes within sportstech.
One of these programs, the ‘Business of Sport’ Pre-Accelerator Program, was launched in 2021 to meet widespread interest from applicants who applied for ASTN’s well-established accelerator but who were deemed ‘too early’. To date, it is the first and only sportstech industry-specific program in Australia and in the APAC region.
The pre-accelerator has long been offered as a 10-week program over 20 sessions. With the availability on etrainu, more people access to the programs, without any time or location constraints – giving participants the opportunity to access these programs in their own time and the ability to revisit valuable information.
The new eLearning modules will be available to sports entrepreneurs including researchers, athletes, sports industry managers, practitioners and administrators from national and state sporting organisations or corporates who prefer self-paced learning. The modules will include learning content, videos including interactive knowledge questions and multiple-choice reviews and will be available to past-program participants wanting to refresh their knowledge.
“Participants will be able to start their innovation journey by tapping into a rich ecosystem of world-class content, mentors, and industry connections,” Dr Martin Schlegel, Chair of ASTN, said. “Our programs have proved to save entrepreneurs time, reduce effort and build new pathways. And we’re looking forward to giving more people access to these programs through digital training, to further support and build Australia’s $3.1 billion sportstech industry.
“At ASTN we’re always looking to innovate and find new ways to engage and connect with entrepreneurs that have a passion for sports technology and innovation,” Dr Schlegel added. “Our new eLearning modules for our pre-accelerator programs will enable us to tap into a new pool of talent that can’t commit to a 10-week program, and we’re looking forward to seeing what opportunities that will bring.”
Cam O’Riordan, VP Sales & Revenue at etrainu, said that the organisation is excited to work closely with ASTN to deliver on-demand training for pre-accelerator participants.
“This will be a world first for the sportstech industry and we look forward to seeing a new wave of talent and innovation come out of this partnership,” O’Riordan said.
The ASTN pre-accelerator on-demand e-learning modules will be available in 2024 and will cover three modules: Cluster of innovation; Research to innovation and promoting; and Leading and financing.
