As we hit the midpoint of 2023, it’s time to take a breather and look back at the phenomenal journey collectID has been on this year. We’ve burst into the scene with a bang, thanks to our stellar partnerships, ground-breaking product releases, and the remarkable milestones we’ve achieved. In this article, we’re going to give you a glimpse of our year so far. Let’s dive right in!
Releases
Kappa/Deportivo
Our year kicked off with our first-ever project with Deportivo de La Coruña and Kappa. We had the special opportunity to integrate our technology into the jerseys of Deportivo and promote eco-sustainability alongside them. It was a great way to combine sports and technology for a cause that matters. You can find more about this project here.
McLaren
We ventured into the world of F1 for the first time with our collaboration with McLaren and Tezos. With the slogan, “More than what meets the eye,” we managed to bring living posters to racing fans. This project, powered by our technology, drew new users to the Tezos platform, McLaren’s Official Blockchain Partner. By connecting physical products to the Tezos blockchain, we created a unique NFT fan experience. You can find out more here.
Sonra x Spongebob proto 3
In the fashion world, we collaborated with our fantastic partner Sonra for a SpongeBob-themed sneaker release. These unique shoes, made from actual pineapple material, are the perfect example of how collaboration can bring innovative themes to life.
Ochsner Hockey at the Spengler Cup
We made our mark on the ice with our participation in the prestigious Spengler Cup with Ochsner Hockey. The Spengler Cup is an annual invitational ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland, and is known as the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world.
JAKO x VfB Stuttgart Diversity Jersey
We’re delighted to have been part of the diversity jersey project with JAKO and Stuttgart. Promoting integration and diversity is a cause close to our hearts, and we’re proud to have contributed to this initiative.
Hugo x Imaginary Ones
Our first project with Hugo and Imaginary Ones saw us create a hat that can be used not only in reality but also in the metaverse. This innovative venture showcases our commitment to exploring the boundaries of fashion and technology.
Swiss Handball Federation
Our collaboration with the Swiss Handball Federation was a significant milestone for us, opening doors to new opportunities in the world of sport.
Universal Music Switzerland x Finelli x EAZ
In partnership with Universal Music Switzerland, we integrated our technology into Finelli t-shirts from EAZ. This collaboration allowed us to create a competition for fans to win tickets to see the famous Swiss rapper.
St.Gallen Fan Scarf
Last but certainly not least, we revolutionized the concept of wear to use by integrating our technology into St.Gallen football scarves. These scarves allow each FCSG season ticket holder to use their scarf for entry into the stadium and access unique content and offers through their scarf all season long.
Events
NBA All Star 2023
The NBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition game hosted by the National Basketball Association (NBA), featuring the league’s star players from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The game is part of All-Star Weekend, held every February, which includes other events such as the Rising Stars Challenge, Slam Dunk Contest, and Three-Point Contest. The 2023 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 19, 2023. Our CEO David and our Head of Business Development for North America, Tim, had the opportunity to attend this event and introduce collectID.
SeventySix’s Sports Innovation Meetup
The “SeventySix’s Sports Innovation Meetup” is a series of events that bring together sports business professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and athletes. The Meetup is in partnership with the American Gaming Association and celebrated the 5th anniversary of the overturning of PASPA (the federal ban on sports betting) in 2023.
David, our CEO, had the opportunity to participate in this event, providing an excellent platform to introduce and promote collectID.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to SeventySix Capital for their steadfast belief in us and for their hard work as investors in the world of sports technology. Your commitment and trust in collectID have been instrumental to our growth, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and innovate in this dynamic industry. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your continuous support in shaping the future of sports technology.
HSG Talents
The “University of St. Gallen Talent’s Day” is part of a larger event called “HSG Talents” organized at the University of St. Gallen. It is the largest recruiting event held at the university and connects more than 100 companies with over 1700 students through various formats. On the day of the fair, companies can present themselves to students by setting up a booth in Olma Hall.
We were fortunate to participate and talk about collectID. Many of our team members are alumni of the University of St. Gallen, and for this reason, it is always an honor to be a part of such events.
Southampton Future of Sport
The “Southampton Future of Sport” event was organized by Southampton FC, Sport Republic, and Yolo Group. It was a program called “The Future of Football Challenge”, which aimed to find and support the next innovative sports tech startup. The challenge was open to innovative companies ready to shape and test their ideas for updated football experiences in either football development or fan engagement.
In line with its values of innovation and doing things differently, the organizers offered a 4-week virtual program to create opportunities and break away from conventional methods. The challenge welcomed Web3 and sports tech startups and scaleups with novel solutions.
Selected teams had the opportunity to rapidly test and pilot their solutions, participate in tailored workshops, and have regular and direct access to decision-makers from Southampton FC, Sport Republic, and Yolo Group. At the St. Mary’s finale, teams pitched for a commercial relationship with SFC and a £100k discretionary prize pool for post-program solution development.
We were thrilled to participate and to be among the potential winners in the “Future of Football challenge”. Even though we did not win, we are still grateful that the jury recognized the potential of our technology and its ability to radically transform the concept of sportswear.
360° Entertainment forum
360° ENTERTAINMENT is the largest Swiss industry gathering in the entertainment business. For more than seven years, the congress has evolved into one of the leading industry meetings in the entertainment business. We meet for this in the heart of the Alps – in Andermatt. David, our CEO, had the pleasure of participating in the event and sharing the vision of collectID.
POSSIBLE Miami
POSSIBLE serves as the focal point for the entire marketing and media community to connect with fellow industry professionals, exchange ideas, showcase their visions, and address shared obstacles.
Tim, our Head of Business Development for North America, had the opportunity to participate and strengthen the collectID network, discovering new opportunities and possibilities that we have decided to integrate into our technology and strategy.
SportsPro Live
SportsPro Live, the annual conference and exhibition that brings together the biggest names in the sports industry took place in London April 25-26. The event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share insights, and explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of sports. As one of the premier global gatherings for sports professionals, SportsPro Live offers an unrivaled platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
At this year’s SportsPro Live event, we had the opportunity of sharing our insights on how sports organizations can leverage “phygital” (i.e. physical and digital) technology to access first-party fan data and improve fan engagement.
#TheSpot2023
The Spot is one of the best network accelerators in the sports industry, joining forces to drive innovation in sports. Our team member, Lukas Paschka, had the amazing opportunity to showcase collectID at #TheSpot2023, held at the SwissTech Convention Center. It’s great to be at events like these among other innovators in the sports industry.
Hellen’s Rock Capital Founder Retreat
The retreat’s focus on the theme “How Mindsets And Strategies Enable Founders To Build Great Companies” provided valuable insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
The event allowed us to gain new perspectives and a chance to strengthen our network and establish meaningful connections with fellow founders and investors. We are truly inspired by the success stories and mindsets shared during the retreat.
We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Hellen’s Rock Capital for organizing such an enriching event and their continuous support as one of our investors. We are grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in our company.
#FutureofSport Paris
The Future of Sport Paris event impressed us not only with the quality of its organization but also with the excellent networking opportunities and distinguished speakers who participated in this year’s edition. Among the most notable figures were Elon Musk, Emmanuel Macron, Marc Benioff, Yann LeCun, Lee Young, Dan Schulman, and Lawrence H. Summers, to name just a few.
Paris Fashion Week
Our CHRO & Co-Founder, Sergio Muster, and Business Development Manager, Joel Krummenacher, had the opportunity to participate in this year’s Fashion Week to understand the new market trends, explore exciting opportunities in the fashion world, and, of course, discover new prospects and partners.
SeventySix Capital Annual Meeting
Thanks again SeventySix Capital for organizing this event, where our Head of Business Development, Tim, had the opportunity to showcase our technology to influential individuals in the sports and innovation sectors, who are members of SeventySix Capital.
Achievements
Shortlisted for #Ignition23 Innovation Competition!
Every year, the Ignition competition seeks to identify and support startups with groundbreaking ideas that have the potential to change the industry landscape. Being selected as a shortlisted company is an achievement that represents the innovation taking place at collectID!
The Digital Maverick – David’s Nomination for east#digital’s “Digital Shaper of the Year”
Our founder and CEO, David Geisser, was been nominated for east#digital’s “Digital Shaper of the Year.” This award recognizes individuals whose ingenious digital solutions are shaping the future.
David has been our digital maestro, orchestrating his digital wand to create symphonies that have resonated throughout the industry. This nomination is a testament to his commitment to innovation and a beacon of inspiration for the entire team. Hats off to our CEO!
The BSC Young Boys Collaboration – The Future of Phygital Merchandising!
If you thought we were just dabbling in the digital universe, think again! Earlier this year, we had the honor to announce our partnership with the BSC Young Boys, taking phygital merch to the next level through 2025!
Through this partnership, we’re creating exclusive Young Boys merchandise that not only exists in physical form but also comes alive digitally to offer unique experiences for Young Boys fans.
A special shout-out to BSC Young Boys for teaming up with us on this exciting venture.
Team Triumphs:
New Talent in Our Midst: Welcome Sofia, James, Yana, Konstantinos, Beatrice, and Elena!
At the start of this year, we welcomed our newest team members, Sofia and James! With a reservoir of talent and drive, they’ve taken their leap towards us and we couldn’t be happier. In the following months, we’re thrilled to have Konstantinos and Yana joining our ranks. Your unique talents and experience are already making a difference.
And finally, we recently welcomed two summer stage interns into our office, Beatrice Caudana and Elena Aschmann. We’re thrilled to have a growing team of talented individuals!
Rising Stars – Promotions for Volodymyr and Lukas!
Next up, the spotlight shines bright on our rising stars, Volodymyr Kosterin and Lukas Paschka! These stellar individuals were promoted for their continuous dedication, hard work, and invaluable contributions to our team.
Lucas Geisser, co-founder of collectID, also earned a well-deserved promotion to Chief Operating Officer! Your innovative approach and unwavering commitment have truly made an impact.
Bravo, guys! Your journey upwards is an inspiration for us all.
Team Building at the collectID Camp!
Finally, let’s not forget the unforgettable experience at the collectID team camp! It was a wonderful blend of camaraderie, brainstorming, and well-deserved fun. It’s safe to say we are more connected than ever before and as we enter the second half of the year, we have a lot of big plans in store. Let’s keep the team spirit alive!
This is just the beginning of the second half of our exciting journey in 2023. Stay tuned for more updates, collaborations, and innovations from collectID. Here’s to pushing boundaries and making waves in the intersection of sports, fashion, and technology. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds for us!
