Sportinnovator is the Netherlands’ leading sports innovation network. We identify innovations in sport, trigger improvements, accelerate the innovation process and focus on scalability.
Through innovation we aim to motivate everyone in the Netherlands to engage in sporting activities and to take exercise, thus making the country as a whole more vital. Innovation also boosts our athletes’ chances of winning elite sports medals.
What is our method?
In order to reach these goals, Sportinnovator has built an ecosystem of more than 200 parties representing the world of sport, the business community, knowledge institutions, and the national government.
We connect these parties using an innovation formula based on the quadruple helix model in which participants are grouped into consortiums. Sportinnovator has a multi-facetted role in all of these joint ventures. We provide part of the funding and act as agent, connector, consultant, driver, and promoter.
Sportinnovator centres
At the heart of our ecosystem is a nationwide network of Sportinnovator centres where researchers, entrepreneurs, government bodies, and sports organisations cooperate with one another. Each Sportinnovator centre has its own area of expertise. Together they act as drivers of innovation in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Sport Data Valley is our top national data analytics platform for sport and exercise.
It embodies the digital element of Sportinnovator’s infrastructure. Recreational athletes, elite athletes, coaches, supervisors and researchers use this platform to gather huge quantities of sports-related data. This data can be used to monitor and improve our performance, in terms of sporting activities and exercise. It also teaches us how we can lead a healthier and more vital life.
Facts & Figures
Through proven collaboration, Sportinnovator aims to maximise the impact of sports innovation, to help the Netherlands achieve international prominence. Since 2015, Sportinnovator has assessed 1000+ innovative ideas, and has provided some 300 promising initiatives with financial support and advice.
International
Springboard
Sportinnovator is also a springboard for sports innovations and Sportinnovator centers with international ambitions. We monitor innovations, spot opportunities abroad and make connections via the platforms we are affiliated with. Like SportsNL.
SportsNL
In this network, the business community, government, knowledge institutions, social organisations and sport are connected around the theme of sport and the wider world. SportsNL ensures the coordination, focus and collective international branding of Dutch sports innovations. The initiators of this platform are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
In addition, Sportinnovator is part of EPSI, the European Platform for Sport Innovation. This is where the connection with European sports innovation partners is made.
Three themes
We focus on three themes:
- Urban Vitality - Sports and sportive exercise
- Field labs for proven & social innovations - Excelling in sport
- Greening the sports & sport events - Making sport more sustainable
'The Dutch approach'
Sportinnovator shows what the Netherlands has to offer in the field of sports innovation.
We are introducing other countries to 'the Dutch approach', for example in the field of sustainability. We want to inspire other countries through our working method, in which cooperation between sports, businesses, government and knowledge institutions is central. To make contacts, share knowledge and explain our working method, Sportinnovator is regularly present at international events. Here are two examples:
Events
In the coming years Sportinnovator will mainly focus internationally on countries where major sporting events take place. The Summer Olympics in Paris (2024) and Los Angeles (2028) in particular offer great opportunities to promote Dutch innovations and establish partnerships.
Contact
For further information about Sportinnovator, please contact us:
info@sportinnovator.nl
+31703495480.
Sportinnovator is an initiative of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and is supported by ZonMw, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development.