With modern digital tools, creators and consumers have nearly limitless possibilities, but the normal challenges of running a business still apply to the entertainment industry. Just as more traditional tech companies need support, entrepreneurs and technologists working in sports, arts and culture, nightlife, music, esports and the like require resources, funding and networking opportunities.
Local organizations like universities, law firms, accelerator programs, economic development groups, coding bootcamps and corporate entities help fill these gaps through various programs and methods, and contribute to strengthening that sector of their ecosystems.
For the month of July, Technical.ly’s reporting has explored the theme of Entertainment Tech for our editorial calendar. For some additional perspectives, we asked our Technical.ly Ecosystem Builder companies the following question:
How is your org supporting advancements in tech related to entertainment (ie. sports, arts and culture, nightlife, music or esports)?
Here are some replies from their teams, and if you like what you see, follow the links to companies’ Directory Pages to learn more and explore ways to connect.
Ballard Spahr
“Ballard Spahr provides comprehensive support to tech enterprises in the realm of entertainment, serving a diverse clientele spanning the spheres of sports, music and the arts. Our legal expertise aids in streamlining our clients’ operations, fostering innovation and ensuring regulatory compliance, underlining our role as strategic partners in their journey to redefine entertainment. In addition to the firm’s established practices that support major sports leagues and established athletes and artists, the firm has also established a strong name, image and likeness (NIL) practice that supports emerging athletes and artists. In the music industry, our lawyers established the legal framework necessary for pioneering companies like HEARD to implement technology in their marketing automation strategies. HEARD, a remarkable startup, has made a significant impact in the music industry by aiding brands to grow their fanbases 2.5 times faster and generate 2 times more revenue. The firm also proudly supports charitable music endeavors, such as Philly Music Fest, a non-profit music festival founded and organized by Ballard partner Greg Seltzer, which showcases emerging musicians and donates proceeds generated by the festival to music education.” — Kimberly Klayman, partner
Chariot Solutions
“Online sports betting is a booming market, and the apps and platforms involved are gathering vast amounts of ‘clickstream’ data from users. But a firehose of data can make getting worthwhile insights a challenge!
We help companies make this data actionable. Recently, we partnered with a sports betting platform to help them analyze user data and make more informed business decisions.
Leveraging several cloud-based products, we provided them with a comprehensive understanding of user activities, including individual clicks and overall spending patterns.” — Michael Rappaport, CEO
Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
“The Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce has a very diverse roster of over 600 members that represent an incredible array of business sectors, technologies and disciplines. Our diversity is our strength, and we strongly represent the best that the Delaware business sector has to offer.
Within the area of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, DEBCC members feature the Delaware Juneteenth Association, Cookies Paper Petals, Janice King Art, Old Swedes Historic Site and She’s Filming Production Company. Within the Sports arena, the DEBCC is proud to feature Breaking Barriers Rowing and Fitness, YMCA of Delaware, The Total Resistance, SK8VIBEZ Skate Studio, Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring, T3I Sports, Orange Theory Fitness, Jazzercise, Club Pilates of Pike Creek and IM#84 Sports. All of these great local businesses are at the forefront of the arts, sports and entertainment sectors, and represent some of the best that Delaware has to offer within arts and entertainment.
Each of these businesses leverage leading technology to engage with their customers, and the Delaware public at large. The DEBCC is proud to have these amazing businesses as part of its portfolio of members. As we say at the DEBCC, ‘together we are stronger,’ and are proud to be at the forefront of the use of technology as an engagement tool within our businesses and of the great work being done by our members that represent the best in Delaware arts, culture, sports and entertainment.” — Ayanna Khan, founder and president/CEO
Delaware Prosperity Partnership
“Because Delaware Prosperity Partnership recognizes that a robust arts, entertainment and culture sector supports Delaware’s overall economy and is an attractive part of our entrepreneurial ecosystem, DPP’s Startup302 pitch competition specifically encourages the participation of esports startups. DPP also offers advisement to startups that are advancing the tech entertainment industry here and partners with operations like Futures First Gaming, a startup that has done much to advance esports in Delaware. Developments like Futures First and Wilmington University teaming up for an undergraduate certificate in esports as a joint academic and workforce development program join the new esports arena at the University of Delaware, a lounge and tech center at Delaware State University and the recently launched esports program at A.I. du Pont High School to demonstrate how Delaware is firmly on the cutting edge of innovation and tech entertainment.” — Erica Crell, innovation manager
NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers
“Recording Artists and Songwriters, like other creators, should be aware of the right to recapture ownership of their works 35 years after the copyrights were transferred to a third party under the Copyright Act of 1976. In this new digital age, this could mean that artists are able to collect significantly more digital earnings from their creative works. At Shulman Rogers we assist creators with the complicated legal process of exercising their rights to recapture their copyrights under the Copyright Act. Here is a link to the Rock & Roll Podcast with my interview on Terminations of Grants.” — Lita Rosario-Richardson, Esq., shareholder, Entertainment Group Shulman Rogers
TEDCO
“TEDCO is the economic engine for technology companies throughout the State. And, with technology being so ingrained in our society, it only makes sense that some of these companies span into the entertainment industry. Through TEDCO’s programs, we provide portfolio companies with valuable resources, networking and funding opportunities, supporting their continual growth and development. A few examples of portfolio companies TEDCO supports include aBreak Music, an international platform assisting indie artists’ growth and exposure, Elite Gaming Live, a business focused on educating students about technology-based careers like those in video game design/development, and Tuzmo, an app that enables authentic artisans to sell directly to global customers without the costly middleman.” — Jack Miner, chief investment officer
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Want to support the next innovation in entertainment tech in your local community? Check out all the Technical.ly Ecosystem Builder companies here, and find out about their missions and cultures.
P.S. If you’re curious about Technical.ly’s services for your own org, find more info here and connect with us.
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This sponsored content is a part of Entertainment Tech Month of Technical.ly's editorial calendar. The organizations appearing in this article are Technical.ly Ecosystem Builder clients.
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