Dear Colleague,
We are excited to announce that LightBack is the latest sports technology startup confirmed to present at our upcoming Upside VIP Lunch during the 2026 PSPA Conference in Atlanta!
⚽ Upside VIP Lunch
📅 December 18, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 US Soccer HQ, Atlanta, Georgia
The event will bring together approximately 250 leading MLS and NWSL practitioners and decision-makers, including Performance Directors, Heads of Athletic Therapy, Directors of Rehabilitation, Sports Scientists, and representatives from clubs across both leagues.
Each presenting startup will have the opportunity to deliver a 15-minute presentation, showcase its technology at a dedicated booth, and participate in a speed-dating session with MLS and NWSL practitioners.
Due to high demand, we have expanded the number of presenting startups to ten. Only three presentation spots remain!
🚀 Meet Our New Presenting Startup: LightBack
LightBack is an innovative sports performance tool and methodology developed by physiotherapist and osteopath Thomas Serafin, alongside CEO Alexandre Dars, designed to maximize hip mobility, release deep gluteal tension, and optimize athletic performance and recovery.
The solution focuses on one of the key drivers of athletic performance: hip mobility and functional movement. For professional athletes, optimal hip mobility is fundamental to movement efficiency, speed, power, and career longevity.
LightBack provides performance directors, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, and sports performance professionals with a fast, practical solution to unlock that mobility.
Picture: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) using the LightBack.
Its effects have been evaluated in two published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (PeerJ, 2025; Physiotherapy Research International, 2026). In healthy, physically active adults, a single one-minute protocol improved posterior chain flexibility and reduced sciatic nerve stiffness, as measured by elastography.
Applications in Elite Sports
Hip Mobility: Maximize range of motion and functional movement.
Performance Preparation: A one-minute protocol that integrates seamlessly into warm-ups and pre-competition routines.
Recovery: Release deep muscular tension following demanding training sessions and competitions.
Movement Quality: Enhance mobility work within strength, conditioning, and performance programs.
Daily Athlete Management: A fast, repeatable tool that fits into everyday performance routines.
At the upcoming Upside VIP Lunch, LightBack will introduce its technology and methodology to MLS and NWSL professionals, demonstrate its practical applications, and explore opportunities for evaluation and collaboration with professional teams.
Here is a video interview of Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) who has been using LightBack as part of his weekly routine.
We look forward to seeing how LightBack’s approach can complement existing performance, mobility, and recovery protocols.
⚠️ Only Three Presentation Spots Remain
Selected sports technology vendors will have the opportunity to:
Present directly to MLS and NWSL teams and practitioners
Demonstrate and exhibit their technology
Receive feedback from experienced sports performance professionals
Participate in meaningful conversations with key decision-makers
Explore potential pilots, partnerships and commercial opportunities
Build relationships in an intimate, highly targeted environment
We already have 7 vendors confirmed to present so if you are Interested in the last 3 spots to present please reach out to us ASAP at julien@upsideglobal.co before the last spots are gone. We have lots of startups who are interested so we won’t be able to accommodate everyone.
Last year’s Upside VIP Dinner welcomed more than 50 practitioners representing over 20 MLS clubs.
You can view the recap and recorded panel discussions and presentations here:
🚀 COMING IN Q1 2027: UPSIDE SPORTS TECH INVESTMENT VIP DINNER — NYC!
Upside is also planning an exclusive Sports Tech Investment VIP Dinner in New York City in Q1 2027!
The goal? Bring together leading investors, sports team owners, executives, and innovative startup founders for an evening of investment opportunities, meaningful connections, and networking.
📍 Location: An exclusive private club in NYC
📅 Date: Q1 2027 (TBA)
👥 50 top executives, including Top sports tech VCs, team owners, sports executives, and founders
🚀 8 selected sports tech startups will have the opportunity to pitch directly to investors
🤝 Networking with key decision-makers across sports, technology, and venture capital
Our mission is simple: Connect the next generation of sports tech startups with the investors and industry leaders who can help them grow.
📩 Are you a sports tech startup looking to raise capital?
We’re now welcoming expressions of interest from startups interested in pitching at the event.
Email julien@upsideglobal.co to learn more and express your interest.
More details coming soon!
📅 What’s Next for Upside
🇫🇷 Upside Tech Summit—France
📅 2nd half of 2027
📍 France
We are planning to host this summit at a major stadium, bringing together leading organizations from Ligue 1, the Premier League, LaLiga, international rugby, basketball, the NBA, MLS, the NFL and other elite sports.
We are also developing additional Upside VIP events with major leagues, teams, VCs across the United States and Europe in 2026 and 2027.
Interested in attending, speaking, presenting, exhibiting or sponsoring an upcoming Upside event? Contact me at julien@upsideglobal.co.
Best,
Julien
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