Global Trade Missions and Business Matching Excursions
With support from Federal and State Governments, ASTN regularly facilitates trade missions, business matching and foreign market excursions. Based on having established global relationships over the past decade, the ASTN advocates promotes and connects Australian sportstech companies to the world. In similar ways, ASTN’s global connections give our members genuine networking opportunities with local agencies both from an export and inbound perspective.
ASTN previously hosted international trade missions to China, Europe, India and the USA. Our global connections give our members genuine networking opportunities with local agencies. For details visit our Global Trade Missions Archive.
South Australian Sportstech Export Capability Initiative
ASTN in partnership with South Australian Government Department of State Development (DSD) is running the South Australian Sportstech Export Capability Initiative.
The South Australian Sportstech Export Capability Initiative provides South Australian sports technology companies with the tools they require to explore and expand into the competitive US and allied markets.
ASTN and DSD encourage applications from South Australian companies within the sportstech industry, as well as those from adjacent industries who have a product or offering that has an application within sports.
Program Outline
- May 2025: Export-ready workshop – ASTN will facilitate a full-day workshop for selected South Australian-based companies. The workshop will cover international engagement and export readiness, providing practical information, knowledge and guidance.
- May – June 2025: Export-ready mentoring – Selected companies will participate in a targeted mentoring program. Mentors will provide advice and guidance to companies on export market entry strategies, validate market entry plans and assist with action plans for companies to enter international markets.
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June 2025: South Australian sports technology delegation to the United States – Selected companies will participate in a mission to the Los Angeles and San Fransico/Bay Area that will include:
- Facilitated business matching opportunities
- Site visits to sports venues and precincts
- Meetings with sports organisations and sportstech companies
- Meetings/activities with in-country support services and networks.
Please note: Additional support is being negotiated with partners including DSD to further support the participants and delivery of the program, to be confirmed.
Travel arrangements are to be managed by the individual companies, however ASTN’s preferred travel provider Sportslink Travel, will be happy to assist with travel packages.
Eligibility Criteria
This program is only open to companies registered within the State of South Australia.
Companies must have a validated product or technology solution that they are either currently exporting or are ready to seek export markets.
Companies must be available to attend all program activities:
- Full day Export-Ready Workshop to be held in Adelaide on 13 May 2025.
- US Excursion to Los Angeles and San Fransico/Bay Area in the week commencing 15 June 2025.
- Online mentoring sessions, to be scheduled between May-June.
Companies must be able to self-fund all expenses associated with travel, meals, and accommodation (including visas and passports).
Companies backed by sufficient capital to fund an expansion.
One delegate per company is permitted to attend the US Excursion, unless previously negotiated with ASTN and DSD.
Program Application
Eligible companies are encouraged to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) via the link below.
Places are limited and may be allocated based on eligibility criteria/first to apply basis.
Key dates
Applications open: Thursday 10 April 2025
Applications close: Sunday 27 April 2025
Delivery of the initiative may be subject to change and any changes will be notified well in advance.
For any questions or further information, please contact amy.crosland@astn.com.au
Game Plan Japan: Sports Business Delegation – April 2025
Join the Australia Japan Business Co-Operation Committee (AJBCC) and ASTN on a Sports Business Delegation to Japan. Applications are open for companies from Australia's sports ecosystem seeking to export to, form partnerships, and make in-market connections in Japan.
The visit is planned between Monday 21 April to Friday 25 April 2025, to Tokyo and Osaka.
Tokyo: Monday 21 April – Wednesday 23 April
Osaka: Thursday 24 April – Friday 25 April
Applications are encouraged from export-ready Australian Sportstech startups and SMEs as well as sport governing bodies with a genuine interest in making in-market connections to explore opportunities for growth in Japan. The program is tailored to the interests of organisations developing sports technology solutions and those engaged in sports business in general.
Please see AJBCC event page for more information and to complete your application by 28 February 2025 and to receive future updates on this delegation.
Itinerary and Delegate Profile
Delegate profiles for the Japan Sports Delegation
Itinerary for Japan Sports Delegation
ISPO and Sports Tech Nation 2025
After teaming up for the first time in 2024, Sports Tech Nation will be again co-located with ISPO in Munich. ISPO is the largest tradeshow and conference for sports equipment, apparel and footwear. Together with Sports Tech Nation, the event hosted annually in December in Munich Germany, now also provides a stage for digital sports technologies. ISPO’s BrandNew and Awards are amongst the largest startup competition in the sports business. If you are interested to present your startup company at ISPO Munich´s start-up village, please contact ASTN for further details.
US Market Research 2025
Through a partnership with the University of Washington Consulting Association (UWCA) in Seattle (Washington, USA), ASTN member companies have been conducting market research with US-based students. The 10-week engagement is a competitive program available to Premium ASTN members based on availability and acceptance of the project brief by UWCA. Students from the University of Washington (UW) have previously visited ASTN’s Australian Sports Innovation Centre of Excellence (ASICE) in Cremorne and worked with several sportstech founders in the past.
UW Students visiting Launchpad together with Luke Santamaria, PlaySpark (first row far left)
For further details, on the program partnership please also see https://magazine.foster.uw.edu/programs and contact ASTN for further details.
Program Participants
Current Participant - Olly Timing
Previous Participants - Cape Bionics | PlaySpark
Program Support
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