Today we have the honor of interviewing Jeff Hintz, executive director of Sports tech HQ, a sports tech ecosystem builder based in the state of Indiana.
With over two decades of experience in the sports industry, Jeff has held leadership roles with the PGA of America and major events like the Ryder Cup. He was recognized as the 2016 Sportsperson of the Year by the Star Tribune for his work with the Ryder Cup in Minnesota. Prior to leading Sports Tech HQ, Hintz served as the Executive Director for the Minnesota PGA and the Director of Event Operations for the 2022 College Football Playoff. An Indianapolis native, he holds a degree in Sports Marketing & Management from Indiana University and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business & Technology
📝Show Notes: Through this interview, we touched on his background, Sports Tech HQ’s core mission, why any sports tech startups should consider opening an office in Indiana, his plans for the next 24 months. Lastly we discussed the areas of sports tech he is the most excited about, and some of his favorite sports tech startups that he has worked with.
You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Jeff located at the top of this blog post.
Here are the best quotes from the interview with Jeff:
Q1. Can you please tell me about your background?
"I come from a background in major sports event management. I spent nearly a decade at the PGA of America leading championships including the Ryder Cup and PGA Championships. That was an incredible opportunity to work on some of the most iconic events in global sports and understand what it takes to execute at the highest level."
"From there, I transitioned into leading the 2020 Minneapolis Final Four as the Executive Director. That role really opened my eyes to the economic development potential of sports. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about legacy, community impact, and building long-term value for a city. That experience really stuck with me and helped shape the way I think about sports as a catalyst for innovation and growth."
Q2. Can you tell me about Sports Tech HQ and what your core mission is?
"Sports Tech HQ is an Indiana-based non-profit focused on cultivating, growing, and accelerating the sports tech ecosystem here in the state. We believe that Indiana, and Indianapolis in particular, has all the right ingredients to be a hub for sports innovation."
"Our core mission is to support innovation and entrepreneurship in sports technology by creating an environment where companies can thrive. That means connecting them with capital, mentorship, access to industry partners, and a rich pipeline of talent. We serve as a connector and amplifier—helping startups find their footing and scale, while also attracting companies from outside the region who want to be part of this growing ecosystem."
Q3. Why should any sports tech startups consider opening an office in Indiana?
"Indy has a rich legacy in sports—from hosting Final Fours and Super Bowls to being the home of the NCAA and USA Track & Field. That infrastructure and institutional knowledge creates a fertile ground for sports tech companies to test, grow, and succeed."
"What sets us apart is our accessibility. You’re not fighting for air time with a thousand other companies. You can actually get in the room with the right partners, whether it’s a college athletics department, a pro team, or a governing body. There’s a strong culture of collaboration here."
"And on top of that, Indiana's affordability and quality of life make it a great place to live and run a business. You get top-tier resources and connections without the high overhead costs of New York or San Francisco. Even our international partners appreciate that in Indiana, you can scale fast, yet still tap into elite sports and facilities".
Q4. What are your plans for the next 24 months?
"Over the next 24 months, our primary focus is on attracting more startups. We’d love to bring in 10 to 15 new sports tech companies, whether they’re homegrown or coming from outside the region."
"We’re also working on a physical innovation hub—an actual space where startups can collaborate, test their products, and engage directly with teams, leagues, and researchers. That kind of environment can be a real accelerant for early-stage companies."
"Beyond that, we’re building deeper relationships with college and pro teams, not just locally but globally. We want to help startups validate their products in live environments and create a launchpad for them to scale. Everything we do is about creating frictionless pathways for innovation to move from concept to deployment."
Q5. Which areas of sports tech are you the most excited about?
"I’m really excited about the wearables and data analytics space. The ability to collect real-time, actionable data on athlete performance, recovery, and injury prevention is game-changing. We’re just scratching the surface of how that kind of data can be used to optimize training, reduce injuries, and extend careers."
"Another area I’m watching closely is fan engagement—particularly how technology is evolving to meet fans where they are. Whether it’s through mobile platforms, immersive viewing experiences, or even the metaverse, the way fans interact with sports is changing fast. That creates a huge opportunity for innovation."
"Lastly, athlete health and wellness is becoming an increasingly important space. Mental health platforms, recovery tools, and AI-driven diagnostics are all areas where we’re seeing real momentum. These innovations aren’t just nice to have—they’re becoming essential to how athletes train and perform."
Q6. What sports tech startups are you excited about right now?
"We’re seeing some really exciting startups come through Indiana, and we’ve had the chance to work closely with a few of them."
"One I’d highlight is Ganance - a wearable‑tech startup that’s built a tiny, modular health‑tracker sensor you stick onto the back of any watch—so you can turn your favorite timepiece into a full‑blown smartwatch without giving up style".
"We’re also proud of DaVinci Wearables - a women’s health tech startup that is embedding AI‑driven sensors into everyday undergarments and athletic apparel to track menstrual cycles, hormonal fluctuations, and vital signs in real time, then delivering personalized, adaptive health and performance insights through their mobile app."
"Another one that stands out is RefReps—they’re tackling the shortage of sports officials by using virtual simulation training. That’s a real-world problem that tech is helping solve in a scalable way."
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