We Play Sport awarded for its AI-based sports video creation software

Currently, the broadcasting of high quality sports videos is only available to professionals. The best solution for watching and analysing matches is still traditional sports broadcasting, which guarantees high resolution images and professional quality. However, this alternative is still very expensive for amateur leagues, clubs and athletes. Moreover, the video editing software that is sometimes used by these organisations requires specific skills in order to achieve high-quality results and is generally not adapted to the specificities of sports events.

To give everyone the opportunity to create professional sports footage, We Play Sport has developed a platform that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to generate high quality videos. To do this, the user positions two smartphones adjacent to the centre-line of the pitch or court so that they cover the field of play. After pressing the record button, We Play Sport’s technology allows the match to be recorded and streamed live on the platform. Once the videos are uploaded to the platform, AI algorithms automate postproduction by generating point-of-view changes, custom highlights and sports statistics. All of this data is then fed into the We Play Sport social platform where it can be shared, analysed and discussed between viewers and athletes. In addition, the company’s technology also allows for the integration of club and league sponsors by embedding their logos into the videos.

Having signed their first agreement with the British Water Polo League, the We Play Sport team is initially targeting water polo clubs and leagues to incubate, develop and evolve its product with a view to launching in basketball and volleyball later next year. The startup has received support from the Initiative for Media Innovation and won the IMD Startup Competition in 2020 for the development of its solution first targeting the European market.

We Play Sport is an EPFL Startup from the EPFL AudioVisual Communications Laboratory, it aims to develop its product in a number of leagues across multiple targeted geographies during the first half of 2022 to test user engagement and refine its product in readiness for further commercial deployment. The Tech Seed loan will allow Adam Scholefield, CEO and Co-founder of the startup to recruit more staff to its technology team to further develop its product.