Dear Colleague,
We are excited to give you additional details about 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
Here are some pictures of the room where the 10 startups will present during our VIP Lunch in Atlanta at the US Soccer HQ:
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 executive representatives from clubs across both leagues. Last year’s Upside VIP Dinner welcomed more than 50 practitioners representing over 20 MLS clubs, and this year’s lunch expands that footprint significantly.
Each presenting startup will have the opportunity to deliver a 15-minute presentation, showcase its technology at a dedicated booth, and participate in a curated speed-dating session with MLS and NWSL practitioners.
Due to high demand, we have expanded the total capacity to ten presenting startups. We plan to announce two more confirmed vendors next week—leaving only two presentation spots remaining!
Why Startups Should Present at the Upside VIP Lunch
Presenting at this VIP Lunch offers sports tech innovators a direct line to elite North American soccer decision-makers:
Direct Access to Elite Decision-Makers: Pitch straight to 250+ vetted Performance Directors, Heads of Athletic Therapy, and Sports Scientists from MLS and NWSL clubs.
Hands-On Technology Demos: Exhibit your product live at a dedicated booth where practitioners can see, test,and experience your solution firsthand.
Real-Time Expert Feedback: Receive immediate, actionable validation and technical critique from top-tier practitioners working daily with professional athletes.
Accelerated Commercial Pipelines: Initiate discussions around pilot programs, team-wide deployments,commercial contracts, and research collaborations.
Targeted Speed-Dating Sessions: Move beyond passive networking with structured, high-impact introductory rounds with club representatives.
High-Trust, Intimate Setting: Build long-term peer relationships in an exclusive environment hosted inside the iconic US Soccer National Headquarters.
Only Two 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
With 8 vendors already confirmed, the final two presentation spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to secure one of the remaining two presentation slots, please reach out immediately at julien@upsideglobal.co. Due to high interest, we will not be able to accommodate everyone once these final spots close.
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
📅 4Q27
📍 France
We are planning to host this summit at a major stadium in Paris, 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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