🏟️ 2025 Upside US Summit: New Speakers: Dr Stefan Valdes (Experienced NFL & NBA S&C coach), Dr Zacharias Papadakis, PhD (Barry University)
Dear colleague,
On October 23, 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 36 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 10 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 18 sponsors namely Kinmetrix, Kinvent, Orreco, VALD, Quantum Movement, BrainLit, ActivBody, OxiWear, iReel, Prism Neuro, Machina Sports, Summus Medical Laser, Box Altitude, ThermoHuman, Valor, Precision Sports Technology, Output Sports, and DaVinci Wearables.
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 23, 2025
Time: 7.30 am to 8.30 pm EST
Highlights:
300 Sports tech executives
50+ Top Teams & Leagues: NBA, MLB, MLS, 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, NFL, MLS, MLB, NCAA, pro tennis..) to be announced. This week’s new speaker is Dr. Zacharias Papadakis, PhD, FACSM is Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology & Wellness and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Barry University. Zacharias will be moderating our panels on the NCAA and next gen sports biomarkers. Dr Stefan Valdes, an experienced NFL and NBA S&C coach, will also be speaking on our NCAA panel.
New speakers:
Dr. Zacharias Papadakis, PhD, FACSM is Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology & Wellness and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Barry University, where his interdisciplinary, translational program probes how continuous moderate- and high-intensity exercise, sleep, nutrition, and psychological or pharmacological stimuli shape cardiometabolic health through the lens of Network Physiology of Exercise and Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed studies with NCAA teams on workload analytics, mental-health metrics, injury-risk modeling, and performance optimization, while his laboratory is validating next-generation wearables and biosensors such as for Fibion SENS, Curia Biometrics, and ZenBud. Pursuing funding that bridges athlete performance and long-term health, Dr. Papadakis is investigating cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome mechanisms and developing AI-driven models for early hypertension prediction, positioning him at the nexus of collegiate sport science, emerging technology, and next-gen biomarker discovery.
Dr. Stefan Valdes is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Board-Certified Sports Specialist (SCS), and Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCS). A Miami native, he founded Movement Lab in 2019 to bridge the gap between rehab and performance. Dr. Stefan specializes in sports and orthopedic rehab, bringing experience from the collegiate level, private sector, and the NBA, where he previously served as a hybrid Physical Therapist and Strength Coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons. Today, he works with NBA, NFL, and other pro athletes during their off-season programs and consults with athletes and teams throughout the year. Through his partnership with Total Performance, Dr. Stefan utilizes cutting-edge Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (UTC) technology to monitor tendon health, helping prevent tendinopathy and guide recovery of those already dealing with it. His approach blends evidence-based physical therapy with elite performance training to help athletes not just recover — but perform at their highest level.
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:
– Andrea Hudy, Director of sports performance, UCONN’s (NCAA) women basketball team
- Dr. Reuben F. Burch V, Ph.D., Associate VP for Research, Mississippi State University (NCAA)
- Eric Renaghan, Executive Director of Sport Performance, University of Miami (NCAA)
- 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:
– Eric Renhaghan, Executive Director of Sport Performance, University of Miami (NCAA)
– Ismael Fernandez, CEO, ThermoHuman
- 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
- Abdul Sillah, World’s Class High Performance Coach
- 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
- Evan Davis, Gaming & Sports practice leader, Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC
- Pete DeNagy, President, Acommence Advisors LLC
- James Doyle, Founder and CEO, iReel
– 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:
– Eric Renhaghan, Executive Director of Sport Performance, University of Miami (NCAA)
- Kim Brouzes, CEO, Kinmetrix
– Ismael Fernandez, CEO, ThermoHuman
– 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
– Andrew Hippert, Investment Principal, NY Techstars Sports Accelerator
- Myles Grote, Partner, Elevate Partners
- Hampus Frisen, Head of Investments, Sport Republic
Moderator: Jimmy Ku, Partner, 10X 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
- Matt Howard, Principal, KB Partners
- CiCi Bellis, Founder & General Partner, Cartan Capital
- Joshua A. Bonhotal, Director, Sequence Equity
- Simon Sokol, VP, Relay Ventures
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:
– Andrea Hudy, Director of sports performance, UCONN’s (NCAA) women basketball team.
– Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull , PhD / CEO, DaVinci Wearables
- Shavini Fernando, CEO, OxiWear
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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