🏟️ 2025 Upside US Summit. 6 Days To Go. Speakers: Mark Strickland (Former NBA player / Miami Heat); Federico Boscarino (Tennis Coach); Robert Mazzucchelli (SportsEdTV). New Sponsor: Danu Sports.
Dear colleague,
We are now 6 days away from October 21, 2025, where we will host our annual 2025 Upside US Sports Tech Summit at the Amerant Bank Arena, the home of the Florida Panthers, the 2 times Stanley Cup NHL Champion, in Sunrise, Florida. We are excited about catching up with all of you there. We have a packed agenda for you guys with a great lineup of speakers, pro teams, vendors and investors. Speaking slots are filling up quickly. We already have nearly 50 speakers confirmed. Some top speakers (Teams, investors, athletes, etc) have yet to be announced. Stay tuned!
We have 1 booth left so this booth will go quickly. So if you want to exhibit, sponsor or speak at our summit, please reach out to us ASAP at julien@upsideglobal.co. We would also like to give a big thank you to our 27 sponsors namely Kinmetrix, HigherDOSE, Winback, Maxxx Force, Kinvent, Multi Radiance, Vert, Orreco, VALD, Quantum Movement, Aris, Cerbrec Beyond Blood, BrainLit, Danu Sports, ActivBody, OxiWear, Myocene, Prism Neuro, Machina Sports, Respo.Vision, GameRun.ai, Summus Medical Laser, Box Altitude, ThermoHuman, KinetikIQ, Output Sports.
Due to high demand, we are also extending our early bird special. So you can use the code 70CODE for 70% off tickets ($150 Vs $500 regular price) by clicking on the “Get your discounted ticket(s) button below. The Promo ends on October 15 so hurry up.
As a reminder we will be hosting our VIP dinner at the MLS Symposium on December 10, 2025 in Atlanta GA where Dave Tenney and Darcy Norman will be among the first speakers to speak on our panel discussion.
If you want to present in front of 50 top MLS Practitioners (Head of performance, HAT, Head S&C coach, Head of rehab..) please email us at julien@upsideglobal.co. We only have 5 spots for vendors to present.
We are looking for some extra volunteers (student preferred) to help our at our US Summit on October 21, so if you are interested in volunteering please email us at julien@upsideglobal.co thank you.
If you cannot attend our Upside US Summit in person, no worries. You can now sign up here, email us and we will send you for free the recorded videos of the panels and keynotes by clicking on the link below:
Some of the Participating Teams and Leagues:
Hotel Partner - US Summit
We are also teaming up with the Double Three in Sunrise FL So if you are looking for a hotel to stay while attending our US Summit, you can benefit from a discounted rate on the hotel rooms. Please note that it also allows for cancellation and full refund up to 2 days prior to check in. Click on the link below to get access to the discounted rate:
Location / Time:
Location: Amerant Bank Arena, the home of the Florida Panthers (NHL), in Sunrise, Florida.
Date: October 21, 2025
Time: 7.30 am to 8.30 pm EST
Highlights:
300 Sports tech executives
50+ Top Teams & Leagues: NBA, WNBA, MLB, MLS, NWSL, NHL, NFL, NCAA, UFL, Premier League, etc
50 Top Speakers
15+ VCs (Sports tech VCs, Family offices, Team owners, Sports tech accelerators, angel investors..)
Media (TV, newswires..)
30 exhibitors
10 Speaking Sessions
2 Keynotes
1 after party
1 hour speed dating session with teams
Featured Speakers
This week we are delighted to announced our new speakers at our 2025 Upside US Sports Tech Summit in Sunrise, FL We have a lot more speakers (teams, leagues, vendors, VCs, team owners, athletes) across various leagues (NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLS, NWSL, MLB, NCAA, pro tennis..) to be announced. This week’s new speakers are: Mark Strickland, a former NBA player who spent ten seasons in the NBA (Miami Heat, Nuggets, Nets, Sacramento Kings..) and is now a coach; Federico Boscarino, a professional tennis coach, strategist, and former NCAA Division I player; Robert Mazzucchelli, the Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Marketing Officer of SportsEdTV, Alex Rodrigo, Senior Advisor, Global Sports, Entertainment & Venue Strategy at Xvisory.
Mark and Federico will be speaking on the panel on the Art and Science of Coaching. Erwin Benedict Valencia, the former Medical, Performance & Wellness Lead for the New York Knicks (NBA), will be moderating the panel on women teams. Erwin will also be the Master of Ceremony at our Summit. Robert will be speaking on the NCAA panel. Rodrigo will be doing the closing keynote with Kyle Harris (BrainLit).
Mark Strickland, known as “Pogoman,” is a former American professional basketball player who spent ten seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Miami Heat, and also played for the Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks. Following his NBA career, Strickland continued to excel internationally, competing in professional leagues across China, Dubai, Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon, France, and Puerto Rico—where he led his team to a championship. Throughout his journey, he trained under legendary coaches such as Pat Riley, George Karl, Don Nelson, and Larry Brown, experiences that shaped his approach to coaching and player development at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, including the NBA D-League.
Beyond the court, Mark has remained deeply engaged in community and advocacy work. As an active member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), he spearheaded the partnership between the NBRPA and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America to promote prostate cancer awareness and early detection. Together with his wife, Tomi, he also co-founded The Ara Initiative, an organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to children across the United States—reflecting his lifelong commitment to using his platform for impact and social good.
Federico Boscarino is a professional tennis coach, strategist, and former NCAA Division I player who brings a wealth of international experience to SportsEdTV. Originally from Argentina, Federico achieved a Top 10 national ranking and a Top 50 South America ranking as a junior before competing in the United States, where he earned honors such as SWAC Conference Player of the Year and Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year. He graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Widely recognized as an exceptional tennis strategist, Federico has coached and sparred with elite ATP and WTA professionals, including Anna Blinkova (#56), Veronika Kudermetova (#9), and Elena Rybakina (#4, Wimbledon Champion). In addition, he has extensive experience working with high-performance juniors, 10-and-under programs, and adults at all levels, giving him a unique ability to adapt training to the needs of any player. Federico is also the Miami Representative of the Gladiator Tennis League, where he helps expand competitive opportunities for players while growing the game in his community.
Erwin Benedict Valencia is a high-energy trailblazer at the crossroads of performance, wellness, and gratitude. A former Medical, Performance & Wellness Lead for the New York Knicks (NBA), he pioneered initiatives like the NBA’s first in-season breathwork program and early mindfulness integrations with Headspace. With nearly two decades of experience working with athletes, artists, CEOs, and founders, Erwin combines sports science, positive psychology, and mindfulness into his signature “Whole-listic” approach. He has made history as the first Filipino raised and educated in the Philippines to hold full-time medical leadership roles in both Major League Baseball and the NBA. Through his company KINETIQ, he has also built global communities of wellness professionals, reshaping how they learn, grow, and connect.
Beyond his professional milestones, Erwin is a dynamic host and speaker, having emceed Philippine Blockchain Week, the Mindvalley Gala Awards, and other global events. He leads non-profits like Grasshopper Project and GRATITUDE GANG Foundation, mentoring changemakers and addressing mental health in underserved Filipino communities. Currently pursuing a PhD on gratitude as a high-performance tool, he also advises and invests in wellness and tech startups while championing brands such as Lululemon, AG1, and Headspace. Whether on stage, in the lab, or in the community, Erwin lives with contagious energy, proving that gratitude is not only a practice but a superpower.
Robert Mazzucchelli is the Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Marketing Officer of SportsEdTV. He has worked in sports and media for over thirty-five years. His passion for sports started as a young boy with baseball and hockey. Tennis took over as his favorite sport at age twelve, and he eventually earned a scholarship to play tennis the University of Richmond. He tried his hand at playing professionally for a few years, and in 1987 started his first sports marketing company, Pinnacle Promotions with a lifelong friend (and tennis playing buddy). At Pinnacle he created and managed many sports-related events and marketing campaigns for some very big brands.
In 1993, he headed to advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi Holdings (which became Cordiant Communications Group), where he co-founded marketing agency 141 Worldwide. After helping 141 Worldwide grow to serve clients in over fifty countries, he headed to sports and entertainment giant SFX Entertainment (now called Live Nation), where he led the executive team creating global brand sponsorship alliances. In 2017, he co-founded SportsEdTV (with another tennis buddy, John Eagleton). Now he is again engaged in sports and media, helping people across the world learn to be better at their favorite sports through a free global media network
Agenda:
At our 2025 Upside US Sports Tech Summit, we will have 2 keynotes and various panel discussions on timely topics. Here is the detailed agenda.
7.30 am: Registration
8.30: Opening remarks by Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
8.40 am - 9.10 am: Opening Keynote
Dr Brian Moore, CEO, Orreco
9.10 am - 10 am: Panel discussion:
Title: NCAA / College Sports:
Summary:
– Why is the NCAA the next big opportunity for tech startups?
– What is the process to adopt new technologies, hot areas of tech interest, opportunities for tech startups in the NCAA?
Participants:
- Dr. Reuben F. Burch V, Ph.D., VP for Research, Texas Christian University (TCU / NCAA)
- Dr Tony Ricci, Assistant Professor, Exercise and Sports Science, College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Rehabilitative Sciences, Nova Southeastern University (NCAA)
- Steven Simmons, COO, NILENT
- Robert Mazzucchelli, Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Marketing Officer, SportsEdTV
- Dr. Stefan Valdes, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) & Experienced NBA & NFL S&C coach
Moderator: Dr. Zacharias Papadakis, PhD, Director of the Human Performance Laboratory, Barry University.
10 am - 11 am: Speed dating session between pro teams and select vendors
11 am - 12 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: The Emergence of next gen biomarkers:
Summary:
– Are biomarkers (lactate, cortisol, glucose, hydration…) the new holy grail for teams?
– What types of new biomarkers are likely to emerge in the future?
Participants:
– David Iglesias, CCO, ThermoHuman
- Gonzalo Rodriguez Garcia, Director of the Health & Performance Department, Orlando City SC (MLS)
- Paul Robbins, experienced NBA/NFL sports performance expert, BioCore,
- Manfredi San Germano, Founder & CEO, Beyond Blood Diagnostics (HypoXcell).
- Dr Brian Moore, CEO, Orreco
Moderator: Dr. Zacharias Papadakis, PhD, Director of the Human Performance Laboratory, Barry University.
12 pm - 1.30 pm: Lunch & Networking
1.40 pm - 2.20 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: Training and Rehab for the Future: What Will Performance Training and Return-to-Play Look Like in 2030?
Summary:
A forward-looking discussion on how AI, biomechanics, genetics, and wearable tech will transform the rehabilitation and performance training process.
Participants:
- Athan Kollias, Founder & CEO, Kinvent
- Rico Rogers, CEO, Box Altitude
- Richard Albright, CEO, Summus Medical Laser
- Nick Soto, Assistant S&C coach, University of Miami (NCAA)
- Emma Meehan, Founder, CEO & CTO, KinetikIQ
- Dr Martin O’Reilly, CEO, Output Sports
Moderator: Dr Marco Nunez, Former Head Athletic Trainer, LA Lakers (NBA)
2.20 pm - 3 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: The Future of Fan Engagement with AI and Personalization.
Summary:
– Tailoring content and experiences for individual fans.
– AI-powered fan engagement and training tools
Participants:
- Bill Chapman, Emmy® Award-winning live director and producer, Warner Bros Discovery
- Pawel Osterreicher, Co-Founder & CEO, Respo.Vision
- André Antonelli, CEO, Machina Sports
- Steven Lund, Head of Sales Cerbrec
- Robert Hull, CFO, Panini America
– Moderator: Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC
3 pm - 3.40 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: The Future of injury reduction by 2030
Summary:
– Current modalities (AMS, biomechanics assessment tools, AI tools..) used to reduce injuries
– Future modalities to reduce injuries by 2030.
Participants:
– Dr. Stefan Valdes, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) & Experienced NBA & NFL S&C coach
- Shaun Jayachandran, Product Advisor, GameRun.ai
- Dr Marco Nunez, Former Head Athletic Trainer, LA Lakers (NBA)
- Devan McConnell, High Performance Director, Utah Mammoth (NHL)
- Carlos Del Barro, Experienced Sports scientist, Atletico Madrid (Laliga)
- Josh Harris, M.S., Performance Solutions Manager, Myocene
– Moderator: Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
3.40 pm - 4.20 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: Rehab panel: Key metrics, The Science of Comebacks
Summary:
Highlighting new technologies like AI-driven rehab programs, regenerative medicine, and advanced wearables for tracking recovery.
Are we measuring the right things (Cognitive, motor skills)?
Challenging traditional return-to-play benchmarks and exploring new data-driven approaches to assessing readiness.
Participants:
- Kim Brouzes, CEO, Kinmetrix
- Erin Angelini, Director of Rehabilitation, Orlando Pride (NWSL)
- DaeSean Hamilton, former NFL player for the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins (NFL)
- Joe Rogowski, Athletic Heart CEO, Former NBPA Chief Medical Officer
- Gordon Waddington, Australian Institute of Sport/University of Canberra Professor of Sports Medicine Research, Co-founder, Prism Neuro
- Thomas Mitchell DC, CCSP, Clinic Director, Chicago Institute for Health & Wellness and Senior Vice President of Exercise Science & Performance at Maxxx-Force.
Moderator: Len Zaichkowsky, PhD, Retired Professor, World-class’ sports biofeedback expert, Boston University
4.20 pm - 5 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: Winning Plays: Unlocking ROI in Sports Tech Investments
Summary:
- Beyond the hype, what are the real opportunities for return on investment in sports tech? This panel of experienced VCs will dissect the key metrics that drive successful sports tech investments. They’ll discuss due diligence, valuation, exit strategies, and the long-term potential of various sports tech sectors, offering valuable insights for both seasoned investors and those looking to break into the market.
– Is AI the next gold rush in the sports tech investment world?
Participants:
- Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner, SeventySix Capital
- Meredith McPherron, CEO & Managing Partner, Drive by DraftKings
– Konrad von Moltke, Principal, WISE Ventures
- Ryan Murphy, Former olympic athlete (Team USA / Swimming) & Investor, Norwest
- Ian Seltzer, Principal, Pierce Yates Ventures
Moderator: Jeff Hintz, Executive Director, Sports Tech HQ
5 pm - 5.40: Panel discussion:
Title: Women in sports:
Summary:
– What types of emerging technologies for women teams and athletes will be see in the future? What are the main challenges faced by women teams today?
– What can we do to increate the number of research towards women teams?
Participants:
– David Gil, Performance Lab Director, VERT Sports.
- Cory Price, Director of Medical & Performance, Orlando Pride (NWSL)
- Mary Vander Heiden, Owner of MVH Sports Medicine, LLC, and Head Athletic Trainer for the Arlington Renegades (UFL)
Moderator: Erwin Benedict Valencia, former Medical, Performance & Wellness Lead, New York Knicks (NBA),
5.40 pm - 6.20 pm: Panel Discussion:
Title: The Art and Science of Coaching
Participants:
- Zack Evenden, ATP coach
- Coach Charles Klask, NBA Coach (Ex Denver Nuggets)
- Mark Strickland, Former NBA player & coach, ex Miami Heat
- Federico Boscarino, ATP/WTA Coach
Moderator: Dean Riddle, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Action Apps
6.20 pm - 7 pm: Closing keynote
Speakers:
- Kyle Harris, BrainLit AB CEO
- Alex Rodrigo, Senior Advisor, Global Sports, Entertainment & Venue Strategy, Xvisory
7 pm - 8 pm: After party
So why should you attend our Upside US Summit?
Our exclusive 2025 Upside US Summit will give you the opportunity to:
Meet practitioners (Athletic trainers, strengths coaches, sports scientists, head of performance, team doctors..) of top teams to present your product.
Meet innovative companies in areas (rehab tech, thermography, wearables, AI based injury reduction tools, hydration assessment tools, AMS, OTT/Web 3.0, etc.)
Meet top VCs, team owners, family offices, athletes and investors as part of your fund raising effort.
Speak on our panels and keynotes about the latest trends in sports and tech (Load management, injury reduction, OTT/Web 3.0, etc.)
If you are interested in sponsoring our event, exhibiting or speaking at our event, please reach out to us ASAP and click on the button below or email us at julien@upsideglobal.co
You want to know what it was like to attend our NY Summit at Citi Field, and hear what attendees loved about it?
Here are some video testimonials of some of the attendees (Vendors, sports organizations, VCs..) at our NY Summit:
At our 2025 Upside US Sport Tech Summit, we will have 50 top speakers. You can check our first speakers below. We will soon announce many more new speakers for our 2025 US Sports Tech Summit.
Our sponsors:
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Best,
You may also like:
