Plug and Play leads sports-tech innovation hub in Frisco

FRISCO, Texas — Tech This Out, a new era for sports technology and innovation, has officially launched in North Texas with the grand opening of “Origin,” a state-of-the-art innovation center. Global innovation platform Plug and Play, in partnership with the City of Frisco and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, celebrated the facility’s debut with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 6,000-square-foot hub, strategically located at The Star in the Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research building, aims to be a pivotal force in advancing the sports world. Origin will concentrate on four key sports-related sectors: human potential and performance, injury prevention and rehabilitation, data and media, and organizations and fan engagement.

“What we saw was an incredible appetite in North Texas to work with startups to engage the corporate community, to engage with investors, and we’re creating a one-of-a-kind one-stop shop for all of them,” stated Kevin Parakkattu, Head of Plug and Play Texas.

David Steele, Plug and Play Frisco Director, emphasized the booming nature of these sectors. “It’s huge. Multibillion dollar industry,” Steele said. “So you look at all the sports brands, the teams, the leagues, all of the national governing body organizations stateside, and then look at brands like FIFA, LA 28, the Olympics, IOC’s all of that falls into the ecosystem that we work in.”

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Steele further explained that this ecosystem is designed to fuel innovation for local startups, attract venture capital, and connect these emerging companies with Plug and Play’s extensive network of global Fortune 1000 partners and renowned sports franchises.

The proximity to major sports entities is a significant advantage, according to Parakkattu. “Within a stone’s throw, you have access to the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, Baylor Scott and White. It has become the center of human potential and performance.”

Even before its official opening, the initiative has shown promising results. “We’re 32 startups in. We’re 32 startups in that we’ve already accelerated in the last year,” Steele revealed. “We’re seeing traction with these brands, signing deals with the Yankees and FC Liverpool active conversations with international organizations to really enhance what these companies are doing.”

Plug and Play currently operates five locations across Texas, including one in Cedar Park. The company views the Frisco center as a significant step in its expansion within the state. “Frisco is our first foray into a large real estate market in Texas, but it won’t be the last,” Parakkattu commented, signaling further growth in the Texas market.