MLS Innovation Lab has confirmed its second group of tech leaders

Major League Soccer (MLS) confirmed six companies have been chosen for the second edition of the MLS Innovation Lab, an initiative that is shaping the future of sports and supporting the league’s ongoing growth.

The initiative seeks to identify and support innovative start-ups and advanced technologies. The new cohort will focus on enhancing the league’s priorities in fan engagement, on-field performance, and media technology.

The MLS Innovation Lab was established in the autumn of 2023 to advance the league’s leadership in sports technology. After nine months of evaluation, selected companies showcased their innovations at the 2024 MLS All-Star Game in Columbus.

This event featured live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies such as advanced GPS player tracking, AI-driven real-time language dubbing, and augmented reality experiences for fans.

In its second iteration, companies will have the chance to present their ideas in real-world settings within the MLS ecosystem. This includes opportunities at events like December’s MLS NEXT Fest in California, the Generation adidas Cup, the MLS NEXT Cup, and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by All-State.

MLS Senior Vice President of Emerging Ventures, Chris Schlosser, mentioned the excitement of joining forces with scalable businesses from around the world.

“MLS continues to be at the forefront of innovation in global sports, The Innovation lab program provides an unparalleled opportunity for high performing companies to turbo-charge their growth, and to showcase their capabilities to the soccer world,” he said via press release.

“We are very excited to partner with this group of excellent start-ups from around the world to co-create new ideas and push the boundaries in sports.”

The following companies have been selected for the second cohort of the MLS Innovation Lab:

Edge Sound Research

EDGE Sound Research is a US-based leader in multimodal audio technology for live entertainment venues and virtual environments. The company focuses on real-time audio object isolation to create personalised experiences for diverse audiences. This innovation allows users to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favourite athletes, musicians, or characters, making unforgettable moments accessible through advanced sound technology.

OLIVER Sports

Based in Spain, OLIVER Sports is at the forefront of player performance monitoring technology, utilising AI to make elite-level data accessible to all soccer players and clubs. Their GPS trackers gather both athletic and soccer-specific metrics, including ball interactions. By providing actionable insights, OLIVER Sports enables coaches and players to improve performance, minimise injuries, and optimise training.

Soccerment

Soccerment, based in Italy, is a sports technology firm offering AI-driven data analytics tools and scalable tracking solutions to improve performance analysis across all levels of soccer. By focusing on proprietary performance indicators and advanced metrics like Expected Goals, Soccerment provides clubs, academies, and players with valuable insights. Their ecosystem features two key products: XSEED, smart shin guards that gather data, and XVALUE, a soccer analytics platform that delivers advanced metrics for match analysis and scouting.

Sportlight

Sportlight Technology is a UK-based sports tech startup that is transforming athlete tracking, physical performance, and injury risk management through its patented LiDAR and AI technology. Their wearable-free system provides elite sports organisations with exceptional accuracy and insights, enhancing player development, injury risk assessment, and rehabilitation. Installed in major stadiums in both the U.S. and abroad, Sportlight is a trusted partner for elite sports teams and leagues.

Lubu

Lubu Technologies, based in Los Angeles, is developing AI-powered wearable technologies aimed at improving athletic performance and recovery. The company has created a footwear-focused solution that analyses how the force of every step, sprint, and cut impacts performance and health. By tracking force impacts, cleat performance, and foot pressure during critical moments, Lubu offers athletes and coaches valuable insights to help optimise performance and enhance gameplay.

Wicket

Wicket, based in Cambridge, Mass, offers a facial authentication platform that enhances event experiences at over 40 stadiums across the U.S. and internationally. Utilising patented computer vision technology, Wicket partners with industry leaders to provide an exceptional guest experience through facial recognition for ticketing, payments, access control, and credentialing. As a privacy-first company, Wicket’s products are designed for opt-in use only.

For additional information on MLS Innovation Lab, click here.

Bringing Technology into Football Finance

Miagen, an Irish financial technology and analytics company, helps organisations plan and manage complex operations with data-driven solutions. Its SportsGen platform brings that same expertise into football, giving clubs the tools to manage their finances, optimise revenues, and stay compliant with regulations in an increasingly challenging environment.

Football clubs today are more than just sporting teams, they are multi-million-dollar businesses. To succeed on and off the pitch, they need accurate forecasting and clear insight into risk. SportsGen addresses this need by bringing together data from across a club’s operations into a single, easy-to-use system. It integrates ticketing, broadcasting, merchandise, sponsorships, and player contracts, giving club leaders a real-time view of their financial position.

By replacing spreadsheets and fragmented reports, SportsGen allows executives to see current and projected performance at a glance. Decisions about transfers, budgets, or commercial deals are based on data rather than guesswork. At the same time, finance teams spend less time on manual reporting and more time focusing on strategy and long-term planning.

Smarter Decisions and Revenue Growth

SportsGen also allows clubs to model different scenarios. Managers can simulate the financial impact of wage changes, major transfers, or different league outcomes. Each scenario shows how income and spending would change, helping clubs understand the consequences of their choices before committing. This predictive capability is vital for clubs operating under financial fair play and other sustainability rules.

The platform doesn’t just control costs, it helps clubs grow revenue. SportsGen analyses matchday attendance, ticket pricing, merchandise sales, and sponsorship performance to spot opportunities and underperforming areas. Clubs can adjust pricing, design promotions, and maximise income, all while keeping their financial model stable and transparent.

With SportsGen, clubs can also plan several seasons ahead. Executives can forecast future wage growth, transfer spending, and commercial income to ensure alignment with long-term goals. Linking financial outcomes to sporting objectives allows clubs to grow in a disciplined, sustainable way, reducing the risk of overspending or breaking league regulations.

Financial Discipline Made Simple

SportsGen is essential for compliance and risk management. Football governing bodies have tightened rules on profitability and spending, and clubs need clear insight to stay within those limits. The platform continuously tracks key ratios, such as wage-to-revenue and debt-to-income, and sends alerts when a club approaches risk thresholds. This helps managers take action before problems arise, supporting long-term stability and stronger governance.

The system is highly adaptable, working for clubs of all sizes. Larger clubs benefit from its ability to scale across complex, global operations, while smaller clubs gain accurate, reliable financial control. Miagen’s experience in industries like aviation and logistics ensures that the platform can manage complexity while maintaining speed, accuracy, and accountability.

The rise of platforms like SportsGen marks a new era in football management. Finance, analytics, and technology have become central to how clubs operate. With accurate data and real-time forecasting, decisions can align sporting ambitions with financial realities. Miagen helps clubs stay competitive both on the field and in their financial management.

Conclusion

SportsGen represents a major step forward in football finance. It gives clubs the tools to manage revenue, control costs, comply with regulations, and plan confidently for the future. By combining technology, analytics, and financial expertise, Miagen helps clubs replace guesswork with informed decisions, supporting sustainable growth and long-term stability in a complex, high-stakes industry.