ENTREPRENEURSHIP · PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT · MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
SportPDA for the 2006 World Cup
Combining mobile technology and football into a single product.
Development of a mobile information and media offering for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The concept combined a dedicated PDA featuring match, player, and venue information with an integrated media platform and community – designed for football fans worldwide and visitors on-site.
Business Field & Location: IT Product Development · Düsseldorf, Germany
From product concept to implementation preparation.
PRODUCT CONCEPT
Developing a mobile offering for football fans.
Conception of a SportPDA for mobile tournament companionship. Aligning hardware, digital content, and use cases into an integrated product and go-to-market strategy.
TECHNOLOGY & PARTNERS
Bringing hardware and software together.
Discussions with Palm Europe regarding PDA manufacturing and the Fraunhofer Institute in Dortmund concerning location-based services (LBS). Coordination with mpresso regarding potential software development cooperation.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
Establishing the prerequisites for market launch.
Developing the business plan and preparing the planned market entry. Discussions with WIN-NRW and the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce (IHK) regarding financing, alongside alignment with Toshiba Europe regarding FIFA licensing rights.
ORIGIN & PRODUCT IDEA
Accompanying the World Cup on the move.
The foundation originated from the FIFA licensing rights transferred to me by Toshiba Europe for a 2006 World Cup PDA. Following the discontinuation of Toshiba’s PDA product line, I built upon this foundation to develop the SportPDA concept, engaging with technology and financing partners.
The device was designed to provide tournament information while granting visitors in Germany access to complementary location-based services. Planned features included Wi-Fi connectivity, a proprietary media platform and community, and international marketing at a targeted retail price of 199 euros.
The licensing foundation was revoked prior to market launch.
In late 2005, FIFA announced that licensing rights for utilizing the official World Cup logo were strictly tied to the Toshiba brand. Consequently, the venture was brought to a close in December 2005 prior to commercial rollout.
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