Join “Decathlon Open Innovation”, a venture client and resource sharing program with Startups aiming to make sport accessible to the many through digital solutions.
At Decathlon we want to make sport and its benefits accessible for the many.
In this context, athletes have needs that require technological and digital solutions.
To respond to those needs, at Decathlon we will join forces with startups to go further and faster in these digital solutions.
That is why we have created the Decathlon Open Innovation initiative, the umbrella under which all collaboration programs with startups will be grouped.
This initiative is aimed at SportsTech, RetailTech & Datatech applied to sports industry startups that offer digital solutions and are in a early growth stage
During the year, we will launch challenges that startups must solve through 3-month proofs of concept
The selected startups will count on Decathlon resources to support their development.
To always be updated on the challenges and calls that we launch, follow our main communication channel:
Decathlon Open innovation Linkedin page
What are we looking for?
The startups that apply to the program must meet the following characteristics:
COMPANY CREATED & IN EARLY GROWTH STAGE
2 FULL TIME FOUNDERS MINIMUM
TRACTION AND METRICS
SHARES THE DECATHLON SENSE
STARTUPS FROM ANY COUNTRY
SPORTSTECH, RETAILTECH & DATATECH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS FOR OUR CHALLENGES
YOUR CLIENTS ARE COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS
*You should not apply to the program if:
Your solutions is / needs hardware
Your solution or business model is not scalable
Your startup offers a physical sports product of any kind or manufacturing materials for sports apparel or products
Why Decathlon?
The leader in the Sports industry. We want to make sports accessible for the many
Together we can do it.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
You will carry out a proof of concept of your solution in the most appropriate Decathlon space (stores, ecommerce, marketplace, app…).
Depending on the results of the test, Decathlon could become your client or adopt other forms of collaboration.
This will give you access to the market to grow thanks to our diffusion capacity, capillarity and connections in the industry (federations, clients, sports centers, internationalization…)
BOND WITH DECATHLON
You will link the name of your startup with that of Decathlon through the channels and partners of this program.
This will increase your credibility with investors and other partners. It will also increase the confidence of your potential customers
SPORTS INDUSTRY KNOWHOW
We offer you technical mentoring to get to know the sports market well, how a great brand works and the trends in the sector.
This will help you get to know your target better, improve your service/product and increase your value proposition in the market.
VISIBILITY AND CONNECTION WITH THE ECOSYSTEM
You will establish connections with the sports and entrepreneurial ecosystem. We will invite you to the most relevant events, you will meet investors, clients, partners, federations and other startups with which to collaborate.
We will also help you create connections in other countries to internationalize your solution.
This will save you time, give you insight into what is happening in your ecosystem and create valuable alliances.
*More information
The “Supported by Decathlon” program does not include a capital investment by Decathlon for the selected startups.
This is an Equity free program. The selected startups will have the opportunity to count on Decathlon as a corporate partner without having to lose equity for it. We believe in the founding teams and we bet on them with total confidence.
What are the exploration areas?
SPORTSTECH
Our goal is to solve all the problems or challenges in the life of an athlete through digital solutions.
These digital sportstech solutions can be about:
- Activity and performance
- Management and organization
- New sports business models, both B2B and B2C
RETAILTECH
Innovation is in our DNA and, therefore, also in all our current sales channels and those we may create in the future.
That is why we explore digital solutions in these fields within retailtech:
- New sales platforms (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, P2P…)
- New Marketing solutions
- New digital business models
- New technologies for omnichannel commerce
DATATECH
In order to be truly useful, we must better understand the trends in different sports and the needs of our athletes.
To do this, we investigate datatech technologies related to:
- Sources of statistical information on sports activity and trends for each sport
- Management tools for large volumes of data
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning solutions
*What we are not looking for:
We are not looking for solutions that require hardware (except a smart phone or watch).
We are not looking for physical sports products of any kind or manufacturing materials for clothing or sports products
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM AND IT’S STAGES WORK?
During the year, we will launch different challenges to which startups must propose a solution.
To always be updated on Decathlon's new challenges for startups, you can follow our main communication channel: the Decathlon Open innovation Linkedin page.
IN EACH CHALLENGE, WE WILL FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
👇
1️⃣ OPENING OF THE APPLICATION PERIOD
From this date, you will be able to access the form to apply for the program.
2️⃣ APPLICATION DEADLINE
From this date no more applications will be accepted.
3️⃣ SELECTION OF THE FINALISTS
A committee will select the shortlist of finalist startups.
4️⃣ INTERVIEWS AND SELECTION
Interviews and work sessions will be held between the finalists startups and the Decathlon teams. Through those dynamics, the startups that will enter the program will be selected. The result will be communicated a few days later
5️⃣ START OF THE PROGRAM AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROOF OF CONCEPT
The program will start with an invitation to the headquarters of Decathlon Spain in Madrid. The selected startups will meet in person the Decathlon Spain central services teams, with whom they will work side by side developing the proof of concept of their solution
6️⃣ PROGRAM CLAUSURE
A committee will evaluate the results of the program and decide whether or not to continue the collaboration between Decathlon and the Startup.
FAQ
All the information
Is the “Supported by Decathlon” an acceleration / incubation program?
Is the “Supported by Decathlon” an acceleration / incubation program?
Supported by Decathlon is not an accelerator or an incubator. It is a Venture Client program, in order to share Decathlon resources, aimed at SportsTech, RetailTech & Datatech applied to sports startups in the early growth stage. We focus on doing proof of concepts of their solutions already validated in the market and helping startups to grow. Accelerators and incubators focus on activities that help entrepreneurs in a much more initial stage (construction of MVP, validation of the business model, legal structure…). On the other hand, sometimes accelerators and incubators take equity from the startup in exchange for its services or through a monetary investment. Supported by Decathlon is an equity free program, you will have the opportunity to count on Decathlon as a partner without having to give up any percentage of the company. We believe in your founding team and we bet on you with total trust.
Where is the Supported By Decathlon program located?
Where is the Supported By Decathlon program located?
The program will be developed mostly online. During the proof of concept. Your startup team will be able to come to the Decathlon Spain headquarters (Madrid) to do intensive work days with our teams. The Decathlon teams will also be able to come to your offices to carry out these project development sessions.
What about money? Do you buy our technology or do you invest? How much?
What about money? Do you buy our technology or do you invest? How much?
The Supported by Decathlon program does not include a monetary investment by Decathlon for selected startups. We do not buy the technology or invest in it.
There are many programs and players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem who can provide these types of monetary resources to startups. Decathlon would not add extra value if we talk about money.
That is why at Decathlon we choose to offer our resources:
- You will get visibility through Decathlon Spain channels: stores, employees, marketplace, app…
- You will receive the know-how and advice of our Decathlon team experts in order to help you improve your business areas (Data, Financial Strategy, Team, Marketing, Omnicommerce, UX / UI…).
- You will be able to carry out a proof of concept of your solution in the most suitable space of the Decathlon ecosystem (stores, marketplace, app…).
What happens after the program?
What happens after the program?
During the 12 weeks of collaboration of the program, a proof of concept of your startup’s solution will be developed. Depending on the test results, your startup could become a Decathlon provider or adopt other forms of collaboration. These are the options that are proposed in a non-exhaustive way:
If the proof of concept has achieved the objectives, these are the options:
- We industrialize the relationship: we scale the project into a client-supplier relationship
- We become partners through an agreement
- We invest in the startup
- We buy the startup
- We do nothing, because even though it went well, there are other options or priorities.
If the proof of concept ands and there are no clear conclusions, these are the options:
- We increase the time (or other resources) to be able to draw conclusions
- We close the collaboration.
If the proof of concept does not achieve the objectives, we will close the collaboration
My Startup offers physical sports products or manufacturing materials for sports apparel or products, Can I apply?
My Startup offers physical sports products or manufacturing materials for sports apparel or products, Can I apply?
No. In this first Open Innovation program, we are looking for startups that offer digital SportsTech, RetailTech & DataTech applied to sports solutions. If your startup offers a physical sports product of any kind or manufacturing materials for sports apparel or products, you should not apply to this program.
However, we recommend that you follow us closely and stay tooned through our LinkedIn page (Decathlon Open Innovation). Where we will inform you about all open innovation programs and initiatives that we will carry out. Perhaps your startup has a good fit with future challenges and / or programs.
What is a Venture Client? How is it different to Venture Capital?
What is a Venture Client? How is it different to Venture Capital?
The Venture Client consists of a large company becoming the first big customer of a startup when it is still in an early growth stage. The startup obtains a big client that helps to cover the running costs, has a good portfolio of clients and improves its service / product based on the feedback from that big client.
On the other hand, Venture Capital is the tool of large companies to invest in startups, regardless of whether or not becoming a customer of the startup.
The key difference is that in the Venture Client you pay for the product or service; and in Venture Capital you pay for the shares of the company (equity).
What is the application deadline?
What is the application deadline?
In each challenge, the deadline to apply for it will be indicated.
What language should I use for the application? What language is used in the program?
What language should I use for the application? What language is used in the program?
If you are a startup outside of Spain, you must fill out the application in English. If you are a Spanish startup, you can fill it out in both English or Spanish.
The entire program will be conducted in English.
What startups are you looking for and what are the Must Haves to partner?
What startups are you looking for and what are the Must Haves to partner?
The startups that apply to the program must have the following characteristics:
- Your startup is established as a company and in the early growth phase
- You have at least 2 full-time founders.
- The product/service is already on the market and you can demonstrate its traction with good business metrics
- Your startup and team share Decathlon’s sense
- Your startup can be from any country
- You offer SportsTech , ReatlTech, DataTech digital solutions (This does not include e-Sports)
- You propose an optimal solution for our challenges
- Your clients are companies or individuals, both options are welcome.
You should not apply for the program if your startup:
- Your solutions is / needs hardware
- Your solution or business model is not scalable
- Your startup offers a physical sports product of any kind or manufacturing materials for sports apparel or products
When and how can my startup apply?
When and how can my startup apply?
In each challenge, the deadline to apply for it will be indicated.
You can only submit your application through the corresponding form enabled for it.
If you meet the established requirements, we encourage you to apply. The time has come for you to work hand in hand with Decathlon!
My Startup is not SportsTech, Retailtech nor Datatech, can I apply?
My Startup is not SportsTech, Retailtech nor Datatech, can I apply?
No. In this first Open Innovation program, we are looking for startups that offer digital SportsTech, RetailTech & DataTech applied to sports solutions. If your startup offers solutions for other areas (retail, ecommerce, marketing, logistics, IoT, etc.), you should not apply to this program.
However, we recommend that you follow us closely and stay tooned through our LinkedIn page (Decathlon Open Innovation). Where we will inform you about all open innovation programs and initiatives that we will carry out. Perhaps your startup has a good fit with future challenges and / or programs.
What happens during the program? How long is the program?
What happens during the program? How long is the program?
The development of the proof of concept has a duration of 3 months.
During the collaboration, your startup team will be able to come to the Decathlon Spain headquarters (Madrid) to do intensive work days with our teams. The Decathlon teams will also be able to visit your offices to carry out these project development sessions.
During the development of the collaboration, we will carry out a proof of concept of your solution in the most suitable space in the Decathlon ecosystem (stores, marketplace, app, etc.). This will help you spread your solution in the market. For this we have all the Decathlon channels: stores, employees, marketplace, app…
Finally, you will unite the name of your startup with that of Decathlon through the channels and partners of this program.
Partners
Retos activos
At Decathlon we have a lot of visibility for our sports products, but we also offer many sports activities and services that are not as well known. How can we increase athlete awareness and participation in our Decathlon Sports Activities website?
Challenge file 🚫 Challenge closedChallenge closed on 05/09/2022
Decathlon develops its online activity through its marketplace and app. But how can we detect and develop new digital channels of interaction with the young athletes of the future that generate new business models different from those already established?
Challenge file 🚫 Challenge closedChallenge closed on 23/05/2022
NEW CHALLENGES
SOON…