Lecture Notes: Robin Saavedra on Founding Metric Sports

Introduction

• Speaker: Robin Saavedra
• Background:
  • From Barcelona, studied biotechnology.
  • Worked in pharmaceutical companies in the UK for three years.
  • Moved to Holland for a PhD in neuroscience (not completed).
  • Co-founder and CEO of Metric Sports.

Founding Metric Sports

• Co-founders: Bruno de Nino and Enzoani (both from Argentina).
• Backgrounds:
  • Saavedra: Neuroscience
  • Bruno: Physics
  • Enzo: Video production and UX/UI design
• Passion for football led to the creation of the company.

Company Mission

• Objective: Help coaches improve team performance using data and video analytics.
• Current focus: Tactical analysis and performance improvement for football coaches.

Services Provided

• Combining data and video for tactical analysis.
• Features of the service:
  • Mobile system to record matches.
  • Panoramic video of the game using two stitched cameras.
  • Player tracking software that provides positional data (15 data points per second).

Key Clients

• Worked with notable teams:
  • Via Rail (first season with them).
  • Vol FC in Spain (launch customer).
  • Seattle Sounders (MLS champion).
  • Analyzing referees for MLS.

Development and Growth

• Company age: 3.5 years, currently in the fourth season.
• Interaction with Barcelona:
  • Challenging due to club's size and structure.
  • Networking through formal dinners and personal connections.
• Link with University of Amsterdam through a venture lab/incubator.

Future Goals

• Establish Metric Sports as a reference in football analytics.
• Expand the solutions to other sports and lower tiers of clubs (second/third division and grassroots).

Personal Motivation

• Personal drive: Finding motivation beyond academia and industry.
• Passion for sports: Playing, watching, and analyzing football as a driving force.
• Realization: Starting a company is harder than completing a PhD; motivation is key.

Conclusion

• Importance of being genuinely motivated when starting a venture.
• Advice for entrepreneurship: Find something that truly motivates you.