Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) and Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on promoting industry engagement.

The agreement will see the pair work together to connect start-ups to the wider sporting industry in an effort to facilitate innovation, opportunities, and growth, according to the MoU.

As well as working together for event delivery and promotion, the organisations will both work to utilise ESSA’s member base of qualified Australian exercise and sports science professionals, academics, and researchers to boost Australian sports tech start-ups.

ASTN director and board member, Dr. Martin Schlegel, said the opportunity will see local sports tech entrepreneurs bring their innovative ideas to the sports market.

“This partnership will enable sportstech entrepreneurs to connect with ESSA’s practitioners to get real world feedback, which is critical when validating new technologies as part of their commercialisation process,” Dr. Schlegel said.

“ESSA’s large member base knowledge is invaluable to our early-stage startups, entrepreneurs, founders, and researchers, it will help facilitate local sportstech startup success and build the future of sport for everyone,” he said.

ESSA CEO, Anita Hobson-Powell, said: “As global leaders in world-class sports technology and innovation, ASTN is a natural fit in helping us provide our members with exposure to the latest technology and cutting-edge ideas.”

“Through this partnership we look forward to driving further innovation and capabilities in the sport sector,” Hobson-Powell said.