Tech Chairs - The Sports Tech Podcast

Adam Clarke has a world famous co-founder: Sir Mo Farah. But they were entering a very busy market when they launched URunn. In this episode Adam explains how they're creating a niche and avoiding getting squeezed out. Powered by Sports Tech HQ - sthq.org

When Stephen Schweickart approached professional athletes with his bioceramic clothing they asked for supporting scientific studies. And so did the clubs. And they wanted them from different research labs. In this episode, Stephen discusses how to innovate and grow, whilst navigating unexpected costs. Powered by STHQ - sthq.org

Over twenty years Benn Achilleas has sold sports tech in markets across the world, where secret stumbling blocks lurk. In this episode the Total Kombat co-owner explains what to look out for and whether a loss leader can ever work. Powered by Sports Tech HQ - sthq.org

The customer pitch feels make or break, particularly if your company balance sheet is bare. In this episode, Ekkobar co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Amber Dodson outlines the big mistake startups often make. Powered by STHQ - sthq.org

Trev Keane thought he had the deal done. But it fell through and his business failed. In this episode he looks at what he could have done differently and offers unusual advice on how to choose a business partner. Powered by STHQ - sthq.org

The first 1-2 years provides numerous challenges to a tech startup. In this episode co-founder of Upper Hand, Myles Grote speaks candidly about the financial mistakes he made and how he could have avoided them.Powered by STHQ - sthq.org

Is my sports tech company going to fail? Am I making big financial mistakes? These questions keep founders lying awake at night. STA Group CEO Rebecca Hopkins and sports broadcaster Alex Dibble explain how they will be answered in Tech Chairs Series 2. This series is powered by Sports Tech HQ. In this industry, proximity matters. Build where the sports industry actually lives. Learn more at sthq.org

No sport, competitively or recreationally, has changed more in the past 30 years than cycling. At the heart of this has been an Olympic champion, technical wizard, entrepreneur and campaigner. Chris Boardman is Rebecca and John’s guest on this episode of Tech Chairs and shares how much drive, imagination and ignorance (!) is vital to when looking to create a winning team. Once you’ve heard this episode, you’ll never look at cycling – or your bike - in the same way again.If you love winning stories, you’ll enjoy hearing Ben Ainslie talk sports technology in episode 8. Ensure you hear the next series and subscribe to Tech Chairs series and in the meantime, stay in touch with all sports technology news with the Access Innovation newsletter.

Ben Ainslie, is more than Britain’s greatest ever competitive sailor. His trophy cabinet might be huge but his thirst for technology-driven success is boundless. Ben talks Rebecca and John through his career through the lens of technology, from his early days on the Solent to fighting for The Americas Cup. Some tech happens by design, some is by accident – Ben shares which shaped one of sailing’s greatest breakthroughs. Tune in to find out.To find out more about sports tech and tech-led innovations, listen to another great athlete tell his story – Chris Boardman is our guest on episode 9. For all sports tech news and insights, don’t forget to subscribe to the Tech Chairs series and sign up for Access Innovation, our fortnightly newsletter.

Widely regarded as the most tech-forward of all popular sports, F1 has technology running through its DNA. This time, John and Rebecca are joined by Simon Taylor, a man who for 50 years has scrutinized every car, driver, race and designer in motorsport. Simon reveals the most pivotal points in how F1 has become the sport we know today – and what we might be seeing tomorrow. If you’ve ever wondered how much work the driver is really doing, this edition of Tech Chairs is for you. If you love F1 you will be fascinated by our episode about sailing. Ben Ainslie talks us through the F1 of the seas here. For all sports tech news and insights, don’t forget to subscribe to the Tech Chairs series and sign up for Access Innovation, our fortnightly newsletter.