Actua and the Microsoft GSIC launch the Andorra Sports Startup Challenge

Actua and the Global Sports Innovation Center promoted by Microsoft (GSIC), join synergies to identify the most disruptive solutions and the latest technologies worldwide through a Start-up competition to improve the user experience and loyalty to de-seasonalise the sports and tourism offer in Andorra.

In this sense, participants must submit projects that operate in the following use cases:

• Segmentation and content personalization by target audience
• Optimization of customer experience by combining and integrating digital and physical aspects (phygital solutions like VR, AR, Bots…)
• Content monetization and sponsorship activation
• Compilation, visualization, and analysis of data in order to know the customers (and their changing needs)
• Development of an optimal “CRM” management model for cross-selling products and services
• Improvement of the facilities regarding connectivity and digital infrastructure (IoT, sensors, lighting, parking, access, security)
• Hospitality and retail services

” The call aims to identify the most promising technological solutions such as client data platforms, data analysis or augmented reality, which will allow us to interact with clients, understand their preferences and add value for Andorra’s stakeholders,” according to Iris Córdoba, GSIC’s general manager.

For his part, Andorra’s Minister of the Presidency, Economy and Business, and President of Actua, Jordi Gallardo, stresses that “GSIC will work, together with Andorran professionals, on a programme of activities including advisory and mentoring services. Andorra will benefit from an international network of GSIC collaborators and ambassadors to strengthen the innovative ecosystem of the winter sports and cycling industry”.

The call will be open from November 9th to December 13th. The 10 best proposals will have the opportunity to present their solutions during an online event before a jury formed by representatives of the sports ecosystem and organizing entities, experts in the areas of technology, sports, business, innovation, investment and entrepreneurship.

On February 3rd, a Start-up will be announced as the winner of the competition, and will receive a free one-year GSIC membership, a 3-month mentoring programme with GSIC and subject matter experts, access to the Microsoft for Start-ups Programme, free access to Microsoft technologies (products and cloud credits), one year of free membership to the Andorra Sports Cluster and a tourist pack to visit Andorra.

In addition, the three best rated Start-ups, including the winner, will participate in different activities such as an Investors Day in March 2021 and in business meetings with members of the Andorra Sports Cluster, as well as the possibility to showcase their solutions at La Casa de la Muntanya.

Calendar

• Applications Opens: November 9, 2020
• Applications Close: December 13, 2020
• Finalists announcement: December 17, 2020
• Final pitch: January 27, 2021
• Winner announcement: February 3, 2021

https://andorrachallenge.sport-gsic.com/

Registration for the Andorra Sports Startup Challenge

Actua

Actua Empresa and Actua Innovació (Actua) is a key player in the enhancement of competitivity, innovation and sustainability of the Andorran economy through promoting key sectors for the diversification of the economy, being a motor in the improvement of the public sector and the microeconomic environment, attracting and supporting both foreign and local investment in key sectors, providing support to Andorran businesses so as to be more competitive National and International scale, and creating favourable conditions for innovation and entrepreneurship, in both the public and private sectors, in order to consolidate Andorra as a Living Lab.

More information: https://www.andorrabusiness.com/

GSIC

Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC) is a business cluster powered by Microsoft Sport Team that gathers all kind of sports entities (clubs, federation, associations), institutions, tech-companies (from start-ups to enterprises), research organizations, investors and key figures of sport industry to improve its value chain. To do so we focus our activities and services on 6 main points: entrepreneurship, networking, applied research, showcase, Microsoft Partners Solutions and digital transformation advisory services. More than 340 companies from 38 different countries have already received the support of the GSIC through different activities, as well as its ambassadors and its network of sports industry professionals.

More information: http://sport-gsic.com/