Sports technology gets a power play: DMZ and FSL ramp up partnership

Sports technology is transforming the way we engage with the games we love. 

From apps that offer exclusive content to VR that puts you in the middle of the action, innovation is redefining the sports experience. And it’s not just deepening fan engagement – it’s also opening up new doors for athletes. Wearable tech is helping athletes track recovery and optimize performance, while other tools are leveraging performance analytics to reshape how coaches train their teams.

Across the board, sports tech is creating opportunities far beyond the playing field and the potential is massive. In fact, Canada’s sports tech market is projected to generate $1.44 billion in revenue by 2030. 

With the sports tech industry booming, innovative founders are eager to make their mark. To meet this growing demand, we’re building on our partnership with the Future of Sport Lab (FSL). Our goal? To provide sports entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources and opportunities to succeed in this fast-evolving market.

FSL: The ultimate launchpad for sports founders.

Since launching its incubator program in 2015 with help from DMZ, FSL has become the go-to destination for sports startups. Led by its Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Cheri Bradish, FSL offers mentorship from industry leaders, academics and investors from the Canadian sports ecosystem.

To date, FSL has supported 24 startups that have collectively raised over $100 million in funding. But don’t just take it from us.

“FSL played an instrumental role in supporting The GIST’s early-stage growth by providing us with education and access to a network of Canadian industry leaders. Their forward-thinking approach helped us identify key opportunities to expand our reach and refine our brand strategy, said Ellen Hyslop, Co-Founder of the GIST. “Their support validated The GIST’s credibility in the market and played a key role in our acceptance into the Techstars Comcast NBCU accelerator in Philadelphia, enabling us to expand our operations in the U.S.”

 

“Working with FSL has been truly impactful for our business. It’s the place to be for anyone in sports products or tech in Canada. Throughout programming, I had access to impactful programming and the opportunity to develop and pitch my business to the top leaders in Canadian sports,” said Tina Singh, Founder of Bold Helmets. “Through the contacts made in the program, I know I have the resources I need to continue to expand my product line. I am grateful to be part of the FSL family, and can’t wait to see what amazing things the next cohort achieves.”

How DMZ and FSL will fuel your sports-tech journey.

We’re doubling down on the resources and opportunities that matter most to founders. Here’s what’s coming to give sports-tech founders an even bigger edge:

Elite network: A curated community of top-tier sports-tech innovators. Our rigorous selection process ensures you’ll be surrounded by the best, gaining credibility to attract investors and partners while learning alongside peers who are redefining the game.

Best-in-class coaching: Hands-on mentorship tailored to the unique challenges of the sports-tech space. Our experts are here to coach you through every play, helping you overcome obstacles and scale your business.

Resources to win: Industry-leading mentors, workshops, coworking spaces and connections to industry leading partners like MLSE and Canadian Tire Jumpstart so you can focus on building your startup.

Bigger stages, louder voices: Showcase your startup on major stages like the FSL Summit, Toronto Tech Week and other industry pitch competitions. 

More women, more wins: More opportunities for women-led startups to make their mark in sports tech.

Fuel for growth: With DMZ Ventures’ fund and Relay Ventures in play, startups will have opportunities for investment to grow and scale.

Ready to take your sports-tech startup to the next level?

Canada’s sports-tech scene is booming, and the opportunities to grow are bigger than ever. As Canada’s only program dedicated exclusively to sports innovation, FSL – backed by DMZ – offers unmatched support to help founders scale.

Applications are now open for our 2025 cohort. Don’t miss out on your chance to shape the future of sports innovation. Applications close March 12, 2025. Interested in applying? Visit futuresportlab.com/apply.