In honour of the Rio Olympic Games, Publicis Drugstore’s most recent Meet The Makers event focused on the world of SportsTech.

When an athlete's success can hinge on one millimetre or millisecond, high-performance equipment and accurate feedback are critical. From smart wearables to audience and fan connectivity, the world of sport is a big player when it comes to innovation.

On the night we delved into a range of smart products for athletes of all abilities, from the elite player on the international stage to the everyday enthusiast. We were also introduced to an exciting programme helping budding Paralympians in developing countries gain access to professional sports equipment.

Speakers included:

Brandtix – a platform for sponsors and the first company to create a real time index of sports stars and teams.
Castore – premium men’s sportswear brand using innovative fabric technology, aimed at the top-end of the market.
#HackOnWheels – a movement to create the first open-source wheelchair design library, allowing anyone in the world to build a wheelchair that’s fully customised to their body, lifestyle and environment.
Good Gym – a social enterprise that gets people fit by doing good.
OpenPlay.co.uk –  a platform that connects people via their sporting interests and makes it easier to book and play sport.

Key Take Outs:

1. ‘Quantified Self’ will become more refined. From the accuracy of apps like FitBit and MapMyRun, to next generation devices that will measure body movement and help improve exercise and techniques. 
2. Big data is changing the world of sports marketing. Services like Brandtix provide real-time data analytics on thousands of athletes, allowing brands more insight into the industry so that they are able to make smarter decisions on endorsements.
3. Open Source design information is democratising sport for people with disabilities and making it more accessible to potential athletes all over the world.
4. Start-ups are turning from software to science, tackling global challenges around malnutrition and sustainability. Growing companies like Soylent, an open source meal replacement beverage, are changing the way nutrition is delivered.

View the highlights film here - Meet the Makers: SportsTech 

To find out more contact Liz Lee at Publicis Drugstore