Ad Nederlof steps into soccer world with family business after all
VANAD Group has acquired sports technology company SciSports. VANAD Group is a family-owned international company with more than 1,500 employees that delivers innovative business solutions. SciSports, a market leader in sports technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence, operates in Europe and North America. Director of SciSports, Vincent van Renesse van Duivenbode will remain active as CEO. Vincent (45): "I am delighted with this next step in the development of SciSports. We are already extremely successful in Europe and have the ambition to accelerate growth in the Americas. With VANAD Group founder Ad Nederlof's experience in America and specifically Silicon Valley, we will realize the growth in America even faster." Among other things, Ad Nederlof (77) was President & CEO of the American company Genesys, which was sold to Alcatel for $1.8 billion in 2000. Earlier, the VANAD Group successfully sold Enovation to Main Capital, which recently resold it to Legrand of France. Arthur Nederlof (50), CEO of VANAD Group, is also very pleased with this acquisition: "As many people know, our family loves sports. A few years ago the acquisition of a Dutch Professional Soccer Organization went wrong at the very last moment. Now we are making our entrance into the sports world after all, even from our IT specialty, with a state-of-the-art software platform. So now sport and technology are coming together!"
Main photo: Vincent van Renesse van Duivenbode (CEO SciSports) and Arthur Nederlof (CEO VANAD Group). Photo: PR.
Crucial growth market
The partnership with the VANAD Group marks an important step in the growth ambitions of SciSports, which is already successfully applying its technologies to soccer clubs and federations worldwide. Thanks to advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence, SciSports helps clubs, coaches and players make informed decisions, improve performance and achieve strategic goals.
"This acquisition allows us to further invest in product innovation and build on the relationships we already have. SciSports' growth in Europe is an important part of our strategy, but we also look with great confidence at the opportunities in North America. It is a crucial growth market for us, and we are determined to play a leading role there as well with our products," said Vincent van Renesse van Duivenbode, CEO of SciSports.
Scale and internationalization
"The sports world is not really new to us. A few years ago, we could have easily become the new owners of ADO Den Haag. It was a difficult time for the club at the time and my father wanted to help the club. I myself also started my career in soccer in the service of the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie, which then had offices in the same place where SciSports is located. The KNVB Campus feels a bit like coming home for me"; said Arthur Nederlof. The VANAD Group, known for its expertise in supporting fast-growing technology companies, will not only support SciSports financially, but also provide strategic advice on scaling and internationalization. The investment will make it possible to take the desired additional steps in the European and North American markets in the coming years.
About SciSports
SciSports is the industry standard for soccer companies to support every soccer decision or action, every day, minute or second. SciSports generates actionable and objective soccer insights to improve high-performance by enabling organizations to get the most value from soccer data. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, SciSports delivers deep insights that enable performance optimization. The company works with players, clubs and federations to support them in improving their strategic decisions and team development. For more information visit: https://www.scisports.com.
About VANAD Group
VANAD Group is a fast-growing, internationally operating family business that delivers innovative business solutions. Within the organization, a variety of internationally operating companies work closely together on one mission: adding value and competitive advantage in the field of customer experience, so that clients can differentiate themselves in their market. For that purpose, the VANAD Group develops and uses creative and innovative technology. The company employs more than 1,500 people from all over the world. The following companies now operate under the VANAD Group: VANAD Engage, Tangelo Software, Cybertwice, Early Friday, SciSports and QuandaGo. For more information visit: www.vanadgroup.com
