BIHUB Director Albert Mundet
Barça Innovation Hub (BIHUB), an innovative division of the iconic football club FC Barcelona, has set its sights on Asia Pacific, aiming to create a lasting impact on the sports industry across the region.
BIHUB looks to collaborate with regional startups whose values align with the club’s mission.
The club, whose Asia Pacific office is headquartered in Hong Kong, also plans to open a physical office in Singapore.
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“At the heart of our endeavour are knowledge-based activities that nurture player development and promote a distinctive style of football play deeply rooted in Barcelona’s rich football heritage. These activities encompass a range of sectors within the sports industry, including health & wellness, media & entertainment, infrastructure management, and prosumer markets in sports fitness,” BIHUB Director Albert Mundet said in an interview with e27. “We want to bring all the activities into Asia, where sports is growing fast from a commercial and tech startup standpoint.”
The multifaceted approach of BIHUB in Asia encompasses a range of activities, including investment in sports-related startups operating in health & wellness, media & entertainment, infrastructure management, and prosumer markets in sports fitness.
The investments will be made in companies in the seed to Series A stages with validated business models and growth potential where BIHUB’s resources, particularly talent and brand value, can create a significant impact. BIHUB, now a wholly owned company of Barcelona FC, will focus on long-term partnerships and value creation rather than short-term profit. “We are in search of the right venture capital partner that understands our business model and those who are already investing in related sectors such as health & wellness and media & entertainment,” he said.
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“Our strategy is not to impose a singular approach,” he said to a question on how BIHUB will adapt to the diverse culture of Asia. “Instead, we aim to adapt and resonate with the local cultures and realities of each region. It involves forming partnerships with local entities, as seen with its efforts in Singapore and other parts of Asia Pacific.”
Mundet highlighted Barcelona’s active involvement in harnessing technology, particularly AI and data, to enhance sports operations. BIHUB has been working on optimising practices, tactical analytics, and creating new metrics with machine learning. The club believes technology can create more efficient experiences and better relationships with fans, helping to improve various aspects of the sports industry. The Barcelona arm is also exploring blockchain technology and how it can unlock value in particular aspects.
The BIHUB Director also disclosed that it intends to bring the Sports Tomorrow Congress to Singapore in the near future, aiming to create a tangible network in the region. The event will serve as a platform to share insights, discuss industry trends, and foster professional collaborations.
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“We are trying to find the right partner and have initial conversations with some potential partners. As soon as we find one, we can find a date to launch the event in the city-state,” he concluded.
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