AI Innovation Focus: Sponsorship, Loyalty & Monetization Platforms

The sports industry is witnessing a surge in AI-powered tools that streamline sponsorship deals, elevate fan loyalty, and uncover new monetization avenues for teams, events, and brands. The startups below are leading the charge in this transformative space.

Fan Apps (UseAward) (https://fanappstime.com/)

What they do:

• AI auto-generates branded quizzes, polls, and predictions in under 2 minutes; no manual setup needed.
• Fans access games via QR code or link, playable in-stadium, on broadcast, or social.
• Built-in loyalty system awards points redeemable for merch, discounts, or tickets.
• Sponsor branding is embedded throughout games and reward moments.
• First-party fan data (email, phone, preferences) is captured with every play.

Why it matters:
Fan Apps (UseAward) turns passive viewers into high-value contacts by blending game-day fun with real-time data capture. Clubs collect thousands of opt-ins while delivering sponsor exposure inside fan-friendly experiences. Early partners report a significant increase in digital engagement. And with performance-based pricing, teams can unlock predictable ROI from day one.

Reel Analytics (https://reel-analytics.net)

What they do:

• Analyze video footage using AI to calculate an IN-GAME ATHLETICISM™ (IGA) score
• Use metrics derived from over 16,000 NFL and NCAA athletes to train their AI model
• Offer verified speed and athleticism data for player evaluation and recruiting
• Generate short-form highlight content and digital assets to boost fan engagement

Why it matters:
Reel Analytics brings sports sponsorship closer to athlete performance credibility. Their partners have leveraged AI-generated content to introduce new and innovative digital assets to increase fan engagement and sponsorship deals. For example, University of Alabama Birmingham leveraged short-form video content to do three things: Secure a 5-figure sponsorship deal with Porsche, Open a new revenue stream for its name, image and likeness effort, Create a new immersive in-stadium experience to drive fan engagement.

Full Venue (https://www.fullvenue.ai/)

What they do:

• Provide an AI platform that predicts fan purchase behaviors with up to 95% accuracy
• Segment audiences to maximize spend on tickets, merchandise, and concessions
• Offer cost-effective AI marketing solutions validated by €2M in seed funding

Why it matters:
Full Venue enables smarter sponsorship and sales execution. By using AI‑powered segmentation and spend prediction, sports organizations can monetize audiences more efficiently, thereby boosting ROI and allowing leaner, targeted campaigns.

Sponstar (https://sponstar.io)

What they do:

• Operate a two-sided, AI-powered sponsorship marketplace connecting brands with events
• Offer fractional sponsorship blocks via blockchain ensuring transparency and lower cost barriers
• Use a web app (Starwallet) for fan rewards, earning Starcoins redeemable across events and brands

Why it matters:
 Sponstar democratises sponsorship access. Through AI matchmaking and blockchain‑enabled fractional deals, they open sponsorship to smaller brands and fan‑driven campaigns, enhancing inclusivity and measurable brand activation.

Sizzle (https://sizzle.gg)

What they do:

• Automatically generate gaming and esports highlights using AI-driven clip selection
• Integrate with Twitch, YouTube, and local video uploads to capture key moments like kills or victories
• Offer clip customization, compilation tools, and NFT export options for monetization

Why it matters:
Sizzle enhances monetization by automating content that matters most. Streamers, leagues, and sponsors can leverage bite-sized highlights and NFTs to amplify visibility, drive engagement, and open revenue streams all without manual effort.

The Imagy (https://theimagy.com/)

What they do:

• Provide a SaaS platform for cities, tourism boards, and sports clubs to manage and share multimedia archives
• Use AI to automate tagging, watermarking, and creation of short-form video content for social media
• Offer an immersive, geolocated search experience for users to explore images and videos by place, time, and topic
• Enable monetization through embeddable widgets, performance metrics, and a blockchain-backed marketplace

Why it matters:
The Imagy helps public institutions and sports brands turn underused visual archives into living, revenue-generating digital assets. By combining AI, immersive maps, and monetization tools, cities and clubs can boost tourism, enhance fan engagement, and unlock new sponsorship streams. For example, a city can use The Imagy to attract visitors by showcasing historical timelines and local stories, while sports clubs can monetize unique behind-the-scenes content and embed interactive media directly into their fan channels, all while tracking performance and protecting their assets.

CounterTEN (https://counterten.com)

What they do:

• Provide a smart ticketing, digital identity, and loyalty platform for entertainment, sports, travel, and events 
• Enable blockchain‑verified digital collectibles, tickets, loyalty passes directly into Apple/Google Wallets via patent‑pending tech
• Offer seamless fan engagement tools: gamified rewards, subscription/premium content, sponsor activation overlays, real‑time analytics, and verified resale access 
• Feature a scanning app (“CounterTEN Scan”) for easy on‑site verification and tracking of tickets and loyalty cards
  

Why it matters:
CounterTEN transforms traditional tickets and loyalty passes into secure, interactive digital assets that live in fans’ wallets. This makes it easy for sports teams, events, and brands to drive deeper fan engagement, launch sponsor-backed perks, and create new revenue streams. By blending smart ticketing with gamified rewards and verified resale, they extend the fan experience before, during, and after the event without needing extra apps.

Overarching Takeaways

• AI-powered insights (Reel Analytics, Full Venue) enable smarter, data-driven sponsorship and ROI.
• Fractional sponsorship marketplaces (Sponstar) expand access and transparency using blockchain.
• Automated content generation (Sizzle) drives scalable fan engagement and sponsor value.
• Fan platforms & loyalty tools (Fan Apps, CounterTEN) connect brands more directly to audiences.
• Content publishers (The Imagy) amplify sponsor exposure through trusted storytelling.
  

Final Word

Together, these startups push the frontier in how the sports industry monetizes every aspect of its ecosystem; from fractional sponsorships and smart ticketing to AI-backed content and loyal fan communities.

Ready to elevate your coaching and athlete-care toolkit? Contact HYPE Sports Innovation to experience any of these solutions firsthand.