A research project led by Daniele Canini, PhD Candidate at the University of Rome “Foro Italico”, in collaboration with Professor Anne Tjønndal at Nord University (Bodø, Norway), is currently exploring how Open Innovation strategies are adopted by sport-related start-ups – and  with what effect. 

The study builds on a recent scoping review of Open Innovation Ecosystems (OIEs) in sports, which highlighted the need for more empirical research on how startups engage with key actors such as universities, federations, incubators, corporates, and users. The current survey aims to fill this gap by analyzing:

• Which Open Innovation (OI) strategies are used (e.g., outside-in, inside-out, coupled, outside-out)
• Who the main ecosystem actors are
• How these strategies correlate with performance (growth, funding, online presence)

Start-ups participating in the survey will also have the opportunity to take part in a follow-up interview to reflect on their innovation journey and strategic decisions in more depth.

If you are a start-up founder, CEO, manager, or part of a sport-related innovation team, you are warmly invited to take the survey:

🔗 https://forms.office.com/e/BibdJ4XPdv

(The survey takes approx. 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous.)

The results of the study will be shared through academic publications and accessible summaries for the innovation and sport-tech communities. By participating, you will contribute to shaping a better understanding of how innovation ecosystems can support sustainable growth in the sport sector.

Please feel free to share the survey with relevant contacts in your network!