Arena Hub

What Arena Hub does

Arena Hub is a Brazil-based non-profit innovation center and ecosystem platform for the sports, media, and entertainment industry, founded in 2019 and headquartered at Nubank Parque / Allianz Parque in São Paulo (Av Francisco Matarazzo, 1705). The organization operates a curated two-sided marketplace that connects sports-technology startups with Brazilian sports entities — clubs, federações, confederações, the Comitê Olímpico do Brasil (COB), arenas and leagues — alongside corporate sponsors and an angel-investor network (BR Angels). Its core assets are the Startup Map and Sports Entities Map (encompassing 170+ partners across 40+ sports modalities), a freemium Basic membership plan, and a recurring program portfolio that includes the multi-edition Podium Labs accelerator (mentorship, workshops, and potential investment of up to R$3 million per startup), the Pitch Lap pitch challenge staged inside a Stock Car at Interlagos, the Desafio COB de Startups with the Brazilian Olympic Committee, the Desafio Paulistão with Federação Paulista de Futebol and LiveMode, and themed desafios (Like a Woman, Like a Player, Golaço, Confut).

The platform is anchored by strategic partnerships rather than proprietary software: founding/idealizing partners 2simple (ideation/marketing) and Federação Paulista de Futebol, venue partners Allianz Parque and Nubank Parque, and corporate co-developers including COB, Stock Car, EY, Ambev, SEBRAE, and international sports-tech hubs (Sports Tech World Series, Startup Lisboa, Sports Lab Copenhagen, Wylab, Celta Lab 1923). The organization is led by CEO Ricardo Mazzucca with a small 5-person executive team, and complementing services include the Programa de Inovação Cidade Allianz Parque focused on smart-arena applications using Big Data and IoT, as well as technology integrations with partners such as Horizm (sponsorship tech), wTVision (broadcasting), ClapMe (fan engagement), and Sport Track.

Arena Hub monetizes primarily through corporate sponsorship and co-branded challenge fees rather than through the free Basic membership tier; the only pricing disclosed publicly is the free plan itself. Distribution combines direct digital channels (website applications), corporate co-branded programs, and an open global call for Podium Labs. The firm is privately held, has no disclosed institutional funding rounds, no parent company, no M&A activity, and is not a public-benefit-investor recipient of record in the available data; financial scale is small (consistent with sub-$1M revenue) and growth is program-breadth-driven rather than capital-driven.

Name

Arena Hub

Legal name

Arena Hub

Website

https://arenahub.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arena Hub is a Brazilian non-profit sports innovation ecosystem based in São Paulo that operates acceleration and challenge programs (Podium Labs, Pitch Lap, Desafio COB and others) connecting sports-tech startups with sports clubs, federations, Olympic committees, and corporate sponsors across 40+ modalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Innovation Accelerator

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues) (MPAGALAA), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Sports innovation accelerator
• Startup acceleration programs
• Sports industry ecosystem
• Innovation challenges
• Startup mentorship network

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Startup & Entity Membership Plans: Arena Hub offers membership plans (Basic free tier) for startups and sports entities to join the ecosystem, providing access to digital resources, startup/sports maps, and community groups.
2. Acceleration Program Services: Podium Labs acceleration program provides mentorship, workshops, networking, and potential investment (up to R$3MM per startup) in exchange for program participation and equity or business relationship.
3. Innovation Challenges & Corporate Partnerships: Arena Hub runs themed challenges (Desafio COB de Startups, Desafio Like a Woman, Desafio Like a Player, Desafio Golaço, Pitch Lap) in partnership with corporate sponsors (COB, Stock Car, EY, Ambev, SEBRAE), generating revenue through partnership fees and sponsorship deals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Arena Hub is a Brazilian innovation accelerator and ecosystem platform dedicated to the sports, media, and entertainment industry. It connects sports-tech startups with sports entities, investors, and corporate sponsors through structured acceleration programs (Podium Labs), themed challenge competitions (Pitch Lap, Desafio COB, Like a Woman, Like a Player, Golaço, Paulistão), and ecosystem directories (Mapa de Startups, Mapa de Entidades Esportivas). The platform offers membership access, specialized mentorship, and potential investment of up to R$3 million per participating startup.

Product overview

Arena Hub is a sports industry innovation accelerator and ecosystem platform based in Brazil (Allianz Parque, São Paulo). The platform operates through a multi-product portfolio combining membership access (Plano Basic), startup and sports entity directories (Mapa de Startups, Mapa de Entidades Esportivas), and various acceleration/challenge programs including Podium Labs, Pitch Lap (Stock Car), Desafio COB de Startups, Desafio Like a Woman, Desafio Like a Player, Desafio Golaço, Desafio Paulistão, Challenge Confut, and the Cidade Allianz Parque innovation program. These offerings are designed to connect startups with sports entities, investors, and industry partners to foster innovation in the Brazilian sports and entertainment sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arena Hub Membership (Plano Basic) Free membership plan providing startups and sports entities access to the Arena Hub ecosystem, including participation in ecosystem groups, digital immersion assessment, and inclusion in the Startup Map directory.
• Mapa de Startups (Startup Map) Public-facing directory of national and international startups that bring value to the sports and entertainment industry, available to ecosystem members.
• Mapa de Entidades Esportivas (Sports Entities Map) Directory of sports entities associated with Arena Hub, spanning more than 40 sports modalities, including clubs, federations, confederations, Olympic committees, arenas, and leagues.
• Podium Labs (Acceleration Program) Multi-edition acceleration program for sports industry startups offering specialized mentorship, workshops, event participation, strategic connections with investors and sports entities, and potential investment. Coverage areas include Fan Engagement, Athlete Performance & Wellness, Smart Spaces, Education, Sports Business Intelligence, eSports & Gamification, Media & Content, and Social Impact/Sustainability. Three editions have been conducted.
• Pitch Lap - Stock Car by Arena Hub Innovative pitch challenge program where startups present their pitch while riding in a Stock Car at the Interlagos circuit, focused on solving challenges in the sports and entertainment industry.
• Desafio COB de Startups Challenge program in partnership with the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) inviting startups to develop solutions for human performance, fan engagement, media and content, social impact, sports business intelligence, and new sponsorship models.
• Programa de Inovação Cidade Allianz Parque Innovation program for the Allianz Parque arena focused on smart, sustainable and connected entertainment using Big Data & IoT, including security, hospitality, environmental responsibility, neighborhood integration, ESG, and enhanced customer experience.
• Desafio Like a Woman Challenge program developed with EY aimed at solving pain points in the sports and entertainment industry through solutions created by women.
• Desafio Like a Player Challenge program developed with SEBRAE seeking innovative and technological solutions to contribute to the development of the Sports Industry.
• Desafio Golaço Challenge developed with Ambev focused on finding startups that can solve pain points in the sports and entertainment industry, with the aim of strengthening the segment and generating new business.
• Desafio Paulistão Arena Hub Challenge developed with Federação Paulista de Futebol and LiveMode seeking startups to offer an innovative and immersive experience at the decisive match of the São Paulo state football championship.
• Challenge Confut Challenge focused on presenting solutions and tools for pain points in the sports and entertainment market of the Northeast Region of Brazil, presented to a panel of investors and industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 170+ sports entity partners integrated into the ecosystem
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Allianz ParquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Allianz Parque serves as the venue for Arena Hub's headquarters and is a key co-development partner for innovation programs, including the Programa de Inovação Cidade Allianz Parque focused on smart arena transformation using Big Data, IoT, and urban management technologies.
• Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Federação Paulista de Futebol is a founding and supporting partner of Arena Hub. FPF collaborates on programs such as Desafio Paulistão Arena Hub and provides institutional backing for the ecosystem.
• Comitê Olímpico do Brasil (COB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024COB partnered with Arena Hub on Desafio COB de Startups, an innovation challenge to find startups that can transform Brazilian Olympic sport. COB provides access to Olympic network, confederações, athletes, and events including COB EXPO and Prêmio Brasil Olímpico.
• Stock CarflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Stock Car partnered with Arena Hub on the Pitch Lap program, an innovative startup pitch competition held inside a Stock Car racing car at the Interlagos circuit. Two editions have been held.
• EYmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EY co-developed the Desafio Like a Woman challenge with Arena Hub, focused on finding solutions created by women for the sports and entertainment industry.
• SEBRAEmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SEBRAE partnered on Desafio Like a Woman and Desafio Like a Player challenges, providing support for small business development within the sports innovation ecosystem.
• AmbevmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ambev partnered on Desafio Like a Woman and Desafio Golaço challenges, supporting innovation in the sports and entertainment industry through startup competitions.
• LiveModemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024LiveMode collaborated with Arena Hub and Federação Paulista de Futebol on the Desafio Paulistão Arena Hub to offer innovative experiences at decisive matches of the São Paulo state football championship.
• NubankmajorOthers · 1 January 2024Nubank Parque hosts Arena Hub's headquarters at Av Francisco Matarazzo, 1705, São Paulo. Nubank Parque is a major venue partner.
• 2simpleminorOthers · 1 January 20242simple is credited as the ideação (ideation) partner of Arena Hub, contributing to the conceptual development and marketing of the innovation center.
• South Summit BrazilmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024South Summit Brazil is a strategic GTM partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem, connecting sports innovation with the broader Brazilian startup and investment community.
• STWS - Sports Tech World SeriesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sports Tech World Series is a global sports tech network and partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem, providing international connections and program support.
• SportsCoLabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SportsCoLab is a sports innovation lab partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• Yunus Sports HubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Yunus Sports Hub is a sports social business hub partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• SportBoostminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SportBoost is a sports tech acceleration partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• SebraemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sebrae is a small business development agency partner supporting Arena Hub's startup ecosystem development.
• FutlabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Futlab is a sports innovation laboratory partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• SIGA - Sports Integrity Global AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SIGA is a sports integrity organization partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• SportsWorksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SportsWorks is a sports business consultancy partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• Startup LisboaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Startup Lisboa is a Lisbon-based startup hub partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem, providing international connections.
• Sports Lab CopenhagenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sports Lab Copenhagen is a Scandinavian sports innovation lab partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• WylabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Wylab is an Italian sports innovation accelerator partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• ColosseumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Colosseum is a sports innovation organization partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• ABSG (Accelerated Business Solutions Group)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABSG is a global sports tech solutions group partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• Pacto pelo EsporteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Pacto pelo Esporte is a Brazilian sports social impact organization and partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• Celta Lab 1923minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Celta Lab 1923 is a Spanish sports innovation lab partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.
• ZSportsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ZSports is a Latin American sports technology partner in the Arena Hub ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SportsCoLab: Sports innovation lab focused on connecting sports organizations with technology solutions and startups. Comparable as a sports-tech ecosystem player and listed Arena Hub partner.
• Wylab: Italian sports-tech accelerator based in Chiavari running cohort programs for sports startups with corporate and federation partners. Directly comparable as a European sports-innovation hub and listed Arena Hub partner.
• Sports Innovation Lab: US-based sports innovation platform that connects sports properties with tech vendors and runs accelerator-style programs. Comparable focus on bridging sports entities (teams, leagues, venues) with technology providers.
• ABSG (Accelerated Business Solutions Group): Global sports-tech solutions group operating accelerator and venture programs for sports startups and federations. Comparable as an international sports-tech ecosystem operator and listed Arena Hub partner.
• Yunus Sports Hub: Brazil-based sports social business hub linked to the Yunus network, supporting impact-oriented sports ventures. Comparable as a Brazilian-region sports-innovation hub and listed Arena Hub partner.
• Celta Lab 1923: Spanish sports innovation initiative associated with RC Celta de Vigo, focused on sports-tech acceleration and ecosystem development. Comparable as a club-anchored sports innovation lab and listed Arena Hub partner.
• Sports Lab Copenhagen: Danish sports innovation lab supporting sports-tech startups with corporate and federation partners in Scandinavia. Comparable as a regional sports-innovation lab and listed Arena Hub partner.
• HYPE Sports Innovation: Israel-based global sports-tech accelerator and innovation platform running cohort programs and corporate challenges. Directly comparable as a sports-industry innovation hub connecting startups, federations, leagues and brands.
• Plug and Play Sports: Global venture/accelerator with a dedicated Sports vertical running batch programs with corporate partners (including global brands and leagues). Comparable as a multi-cohort sports-tech accelerator with corporate sponsorship economics.
• Sports Tech World Series (STWS): Global sports-tech network and ecosystem operator that convenes sports startups, investors and federations across regions. Comparable as an international sports-innovation network and listed Arena Hub partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMW5MEmfp1gfT0TZvM2VEwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/arenahubsp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arenahubsp
• Instagraminstagram.com/arenahubsp
• Xx.com/arenahubsp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arena Hub