🏟️ 2025 Upside US Summit: New Speakers: Ryan Murphy (Olympian & Investor), Kianna Smith (ex LA Sparks/WNBA), Tony Ricci (Nova University), Steve Simmons (NILENT), Ian Seltzer (Pierce Yates Ventures)
Dear colleague,
On October 21, 2025, as you know, we will host our annual 2025 Upside US Sports Tech Summit in Sunrise, FL, which will be hosted by a world’s class pro US team. 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 45 top speakers confirmed for only 50 speaking slots. Some top speakers (Teams, investors, athletes, etc) have yet to be announced. Stay tuned!
We also only have 8 booths left and we are talking to nearly 50 vendors so the booths remaining 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 20 sponsors namely Kinmetrix, HigherDOSE, Kinvent, Vert, Orreco, VALD, Quantum Movement, Aris, Cerbrec, BrainLit, ActivBody, OxiWear, Prism Neuro, Machina Sports, Summus Medical Laser, Box Altitude, ThermoHuman, Valor, Precision Sports Technology, Output Sports.
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:
Location / Time:
Location: Sunrise, FL (USA) (Hosted by a Top US Pro team).
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, 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 Kianna Smith (Former WNBA player), Ryan Murphy (Former Olympic athlete & investor at NVP), Dr Tony Ricci (Nova University), Ian Seltzer, principal at Pierce Yates Ventures , and Steven Simmons, NILENT COO. Steven and Tony will be speaking on our NCAA panel while Kianna will be speaking on the panel on women teams. Ryan and Ian will be speaking on the panel on sports tech investment on AI.
New speakers:
Kianna Smith is a professional athlete and emerging leader at the intersection of sports, culture, and investment. Her journey has been defined by excellence on both national and international stages. She helped lead the University of Louisville to the NCAA Final Four, was selected 14th overall in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks-playing one season with them, and has continued her career playing professionally in Korea—gaining a global perspective on the business and cultural impact of sports. Beyond the court, Kianna is leveraging her platform and experience as an athlete to shape the future of sports and entertainment through her work with Society & Co, a strategic advisory firm that partners with cultural influencers across sports, entertainment, and venture capital. In this role, she helps bridge the gap between athletes, creators, and investors, bringing a unique perspective on how talent can strategically engage with business opportunities and long-term wealth creation.
New speakers:
Steven Simmons is the COO of NILENT. After a stint as the shortest and heaviest member of his Division 1 rowing team at Colgate University, Steve went on to a successful career helping grow early-stage hedge funds and private equity funds. He received the "Rising Star" award from Institutional Investor Magazine for his efforts in overseeing, launching, and raising capital for early-stage funds.
Currently, Steve is the COO and Co-Founder of NILENT, the only digital, gamified NIL education platform focused on financial literacy, mental health well-being, brand building, and career transition. He is responsible for driving the mission forward to ensure that the lessons the athletes learn aren't just for the 4 years in college, but for the 40 years after they have hung up their gear.
A former 9/11 First Responder and co-founder of Populate Wall Street- a foundation aimed at getting women and BIPOC candidates more meaningful jobs on Wall Street- he is a firm believer in redemption stories and levelling the playing field.
Dr. Tony A. Ricci, Ed.D., M.S., FISSN, CSCS, PES (and also D.Sc. in some profiles), is an Associate (or Assistant) Professor in the Departments of Health & Human Performance and Psychology & Neuroscience at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With over 35–40 years dedicated to optimizing human performance, he earned separate master’s degrees in Sport Science and Human Nutrition, as well as a Doctorate in Sport Psychology His research centers on sport neuroscience topics such as psychomotor development, motor imagery, and central and peripheral reaction time Dynamic Lifestyle PodcastSymmetry Fitness. Ricci is highly credentialed—holding certifications as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, Mental Performance Consultant, and Board-Certified Nutritionist—and is a Fellow or advisory board member for organizations including the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the Society for Neurosports/Sport Neuroscience, and serves as Vice President of the Society for Sport Neuroscience. Additionally, he is the founder of FightShape International, a multi-discipline performance enhancement company that has trained numerous world champions across fight-sport disciplines.
Ryan Murphy is an Investor on the growth equity team at Norwest Venture Partners (NVP), where he focuses on franchising, consumer products, sports, and wellness. A nine-time Olympic medalist, two-time U.S. Olympic team captain, and world record holder in swimming, Ryan brings the discipline and leadership of elite athletics into his investment career. He is also a franchise owner of Goldfish Swim School in St. Johns, Florida, combining his passion for sports with entrepreneurship. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Business Administration, Ryan continues to give back to his alma mater through service on the Big C Society board of directors and the Cal Legends Collective advisory board.
Ian Seltzer is an angel investor and strategic advisor with a focus on early-stage technology ventures transforming the sports, gaming, and media industries. As Principal at Pierce Yates Ventures, he has invested in and advised a portfolio that includes AI-driven sports analytics (Crowd IQ), sports integrity solutions (US Integrity), and sports-focused fintech platforms (Tifosy). A veteran of the streaming media and esports boom, Ian was part of Hulu’s early growth team before leading digital content and distribution at Michael Eisner’s Vuguru and helping scale Rogue, a professional esports team, to acquisition. He brings deep expertise in scaling early-stage ventures, forging strategic partnerships, and navigating commercialization in emerging markets. In addition to his investing work, Ian lectures in the global MBA program at ISDE and the FC Barcelona Innovation Hub, where he develops and teaches curriculum connecting traditional sports and esports business with digital innovation. He is also an active mentor and judge for startup accelerators and international trade programs, including Techstars NYC and initiatives run by global consulates in New York. He serves on the Cornell Tech–Jacobs Institute Innovators Society, advising sports tech and digital platform founders. Ian holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
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., Associate VP for Research, Mississippi State University (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
- Dr. Stefan Valdes, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) & Experienced NBA & NFL S&C coach
- Evan Magnusson, COO, VALOR
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)
- Dr Bill Burgos, LONU CEO, Former NBA S&C coach
- 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, Precision Sports Technology
- 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 feedback and interaction.
Participants:
–Stevland Wilson, VP, Postproduction, Design & Animation, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE)
- André Antonelli, CEO, Machina Sports
- Steven Lund, Head of Sales Cerbrec
- Pete DeNagy, President, Acommence Advisors LLC
– Moderator: Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC
3 pm - 3.40 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
– Dr Andy Barr, Founder, Quantum Movement
- 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
Moderator: Len Zaichkowsky, PhD, Retired Professor, World-class’ sports biofeedback expert, Boston University
3.40 pm - 4.20 pm: Panel discussion:
Title: Sports tech investments: Is AI the next gold rush?
Summary:
– Is AI the next gold rush in the sports tech investment world?
– What does the ideal exit strategy look like for a sports tech startup: IPO, acquisition by a larger tech company, or merger with a sports organization?
– How has the post-pandemic landscape shaped investment opportunities in sports technology?
Participants:
– Konrad von Moltke, Principal, WISE Ventures
- Ryan Murphy, Former olympic athlete (Team USA / Swimming) & Investor, NVP.
- Hampus Frisen, Head of Investments, Sport Republic
- Ian Seltzer, Principal, Pierce Yates Ventures
Moderator: Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
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.
Participants:
- Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner, SeventySix Capital
- Meredith McPherron, CEO & Managing Partner, Drive by DraftKings
- Matt Howard, Principal, KB Partners
- CiCi Bellis, Founder & General Partner, Cartan Capital
- Joshua A. Bonhotal, Director, Sequence Equity
Moderator: Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
5 pm - 5.40 pm: 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:
– Dr Andy Barr, Founder, Quantum Movement
– David Gil, Performance Lab Director, VERT Sports.
- Kianna Smith, former WNBA plater, LA Sparks (WNBA)
Moderator: Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
5.40 pm - 6.20 pm: Closing keynote
Speaker: Kyle Harris, BrainLit AB CEO
6.20 pm - 8.30 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,
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