Eight Queensland start-ups will finetune their sport tech innovation through a program which culminate in a showcase during a National Rugby League (NRL) event in Brisbane in May.
The Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), working with the NRL and Advance Queensland, will support the companies selected for the 2025 NRL Magic Round Tech Sprint.
ASTN Queensland Manager and Program Lead Nikita Vogel said the businesses would collaborate with the NRL to refine and adapt their technologies to meet some of their biggest business challenges.
Ms Vogel said the startups would help solve key priority areas by piloting technology solutions and products.
“In return, they will have the opportunity to validate, test and/or integrate their solution with the NRL,” she said.
Ms Vogel said the program went beyond workshops and one-on-ones, and offered a chance to step inside one of the best sporting organisations in the country and gain invaluable insights.
“The calibre of companies selected is a testament to Queensland’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
“The pitches we’ve seen so far have been exceptional, demonstrating innovation and forward-thinking solutions.”
She said the eight successful recipients were:
- CrowdCanvas: A real-time customer engagement platform for event-based industries.
- Myriad Studios: Specialising in LiDAR, Cyber Scanning, Texturing, Photogrammetry, and Drone Capture for VFX, film, and game applications.
- Talk All Sport: Bringing innovation and technology to the world of sport through a speech command device, and foldaway trailer mounted LED scoreboards.
- WearOptimo: Next-gen wearables, improving the future of personal health.
- Imagine Realities: Innovating through AR, VR, and game development solutions for enterprise.
- Cool Beans Underwear: The world’s first scientifically designed medical device underwear, optimising men’s health.
- Fempro Armour: Protection gear for injury prevention for impact sports, high-risk frontline and healthcare.
- Cérge: A set of companion technologies delivering societal change ensuring we are all more welcoming and inclusive of disability.
Ms Vogel said each company received $25,000 to participate in the program over 10 weeks, ending in a showcase event during the 2025 NRL Magic Round from May 1 to 4.
