🏟️ 2025 Upside US Summit (Florida Panthers Stadium). New Speakers: Zack Evenden (ATP Coach), Erwin Benedict Valencia (MC / Ex NY Knicks), Carlos Del Barrio (Atletico Madrid), Kapil Rathi (GameRun.ai)
Dear colleague,
As you know, on October 21, 2025, 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 49 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 4 booths left and we are talking to nearly 20 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 22 sponsors namely Kinmetrix, HigherDOSE, Kinvent, Vert, Orreco, VALD, Quantum Movement, Aris, Cerbrec, Beyond Blood, BrainLit, ActivBody, OxiWear, Prism Neuro, Machina Sports, GameRun.ai, Summus Medical Laser, Box Altitude, ThermoHuman, Valor, KinetikIQ, 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: 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, 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: Zack Evenden an experience ATP coach who worked with top tennis players like Frances Tiafoe; Erwin Benedict Valencia, a high-energy trailblazer at the crossroads of performance, wellness, and gratitude, and the former Medical, Performance & Wellness Lead for the New York Knicks (NBA); Carlos del Barrio, experience sports scientists, Atletico Madrid (Laliga); Kapil Rathi, Founder & CEO of GameRun.ai.
Zack will be speaking on the panel on our new panel on the Art of Coaching while Erwin will our Master of Ceremony (MC) at our Miami Summit. Carlos and Kapil will be speaking on the panel on the future of AI in terms of fan engagement and training.
Zack Evenden is a British-born tennis coach and former collegiate player who served as the primary performance coach to American tennis star Frances Tiafoe from late 2017-2021. A London native and alumnus of Florida A&M. Evenden was brought on as a sparring partner/assistant coach. A strong bond was developed, as a result Evenden’s role grew bigger as time passed. In 2018 Tiafoe captured his first ATP title at Delray Beach with Evenden. The following year they reached the Quarterfinals at the Australian Open and achieved a career-high ranking near world no. 29. Zack has also worked with other tennis players such as Michael Mmoh, Katie Volynets & Hailey Baptiste.
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.
Carlos del Barrio has over a decade of experience in high-performance sports, transitioning from a Physical Therapist to a Sports Scientist specializing in injury prevention, rehabilitation, player assessment, and advanced data analysis. For the past 10 years, Carlos has worked at Atlético de Madrid, where he developed the Sport Science department, playing a key role in enhancing athlete performance, rehabilitation, and recovery in professional team sports. As a university lecturer and guest speaker at international conferences, Carlos shares his expertise to bridge the gap between health and performance. He is committed to advancing best practices in sports science through continuous learning, collaboration, and a focus on optimizing athlete readiness and well-being.
Kapil Rathi is a seasoned Wall Street veteran and turnaround specialist, currently serving as Founder & CEO of GameRun.ai, an AI-driven sports technology platform launched in August 2024 gamerun.ai. With over two decades of experience spanning finance, derivatives, cryptocurrency, and blockchain, he previously led roles including CEO at CrossTower (2019–2023), and senior positions at Cboe Global Markets, Bats Global Markets, ISE, and NYSE. An MBA graduate from Fordham Graduate School of Business and a BS from the Technological Institute of Textiles and Sciences, Kapil brings a strategic blend of financial insight and entrepreneurial drive to revolutionizing athletic performance through AI-powered coaching tools GameRun.ai.
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)
- Paul Robbins, experienced NBA/NFL sports performance expert, BioCore,
- Manfredi San Germano, Founder & CEO, Beyond Blood Diagnostics (HypoXcell).
- 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, 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 Training, Fan Engagement with AI and Personalization.
Summary:
– Tailoring content and experiences for individual fans.
– AI-powered fan engagement and training tools
Participants:
–Stevland Wilson, VP, Postproduction, Design & Animation, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE)
- Carlos del Barrio, Physical Therapist, Atletico Madrid (Laliga)
- Kapil Rathi, CEO, GameRun.AI
- 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
- Erin Angelini, Director of Rehabilitation, Orlando Pride (NWSL)
- 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: Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner, SeventySix Capital
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
- 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)
- Cory Price, Director of Medical & Performance, Orlando Pride (NWSL)
Moderator: Julien Blin, CEO, Upside Global
5.40 pm - 6.20 pm: Closing keynote
Speaker: Kyle Harris, BrainLit AB CEO
6.20 pm - 7.30 pm: Panel of The Art of Coaching with top coaches.
Participants:
- Zack Evenden, ATP coach
7.30 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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