Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
This study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the development of sports startups, considering sports entrepreneurship as a mediating variable. Although AI plays a growing role in business innovation, its specific influence on sports startups remains insufficiently explored. Focusing on Tehran and Alborz provinces, the research targets academics, sports entrepreneurs, and experts from technology parks. It examines how AI tools—such as data analytics, intelligent decision-making, and automation—can enhance entrepreneurial strategies and promote startup growth in the sports industry. By integrating technological capabilities with entrepreneurship, this study aims to provide practical insights for policymakers and startup founders. The results are expected to support sustainable development in sports startups and highlight the strategic importance of AI in emerging markets. Ultimately, the research contributes to bridging the gap between innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for adaptive, tech-driven approaches to foster competitiveness and success in the evolving sports ecosystem.
Materials and Methods
This applied study employed a descriptive-survey method with a quantitative approach to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) influences the development of sports startups, with sports entrepreneurship serving as a mediating variable. The research targeted individuals in Tehran and Alborz provinces, specifically including sports science academics, experts from technology parks, and active sports entrepreneurs. Using Cohen's formula—with a statistical power of 80% and an effect size of 0.30—a sample size of 232 participants was determined. After removing incomplete responses, 224 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Data were collected using three standardized and validated instruments: the AI Technology Questionnaire (22 items, Cronbach's α = 0.83), the Sports Startups Questionnaire (20 items, α = 0.88), and the Sports Entrepreneurship Questionnaire (74 items, α = 0.76). Content validity was confirmed through expert review, and statistical analyses supported both convergent (AVE > 0.5) and discriminant validity (AVE > MSV/ASV). To analyze the data, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using SPSS version 19 and AMOS version 23. The model demonstrated an acceptable fit, with key indicators such as GFI = 0.844, CFI = 0.912, and RMSEA = 0.079. Mediation analysis followed the Baron and Kenny (1986) procedure to assess both direct and indirect effects between the variables. Results revealed significant path coefficients: AI to Startups (β = 0.14, p < 0.001), AI to Entrepreneurship (β = 0.37, p = 0.015), Entrepreneurship to Startups (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Notably, entrepreneurship fully mediated the relationship between AI and startup development. Despite its limited geographic scope, the study's strengths lie in its validated instruments, random sampling, robust methodology, and strong analytical framework. The findings provide valuable, evidence-based insights for policymakers and entrepreneurs, highlighting how AI and entrepreneurship can effectively work together to drive innovation and sustainable economic growth in the rapidly evolving sports startup landscape.
Findings
The analysis revealed significant relationships among all the variables examined. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology had a direct positive effect on both sports startups (β = 0.14, p < 0.001) and sports entrepreneurship (β = 0.37, p = 0.015), highlighting AI's role as a critical enabler in both domains. AI tools such as data analytics, automation, and decision-making were found to enhance the strategic capabilities of sports entrepreneurs, driving the development and growth of startups. Sports entrepreneurship showed a strong positive impact on startup development (β = 0.58, p < 0.001), underlining the importance of entrepreneurial thinking and management skills in achieving success. The mediation analysis revealed that sports entrepreneurship completely mediated the relationship between AI technology and sports startups. This suggests that while AI has a direct positive effect, its most significant impact on startup growth is through the development of entrepreneurial competencies. When the mediating effect of entrepreneurship was considered, the direct effect of AI on sports startups became non-significant, reinforcing the importance of entrepreneurship in leveraging technological advancements for business success. Demographic analysis showed that most respondents were male (69.6%), with a significant portion holding bachelor's degrees (53.6%) and having 10–15 years of professional experience (33.5%). These findings suggest that individuals with a solid educational foundation and professional experience are more likely to engage with and benefit from AI technologies in sports entrepreneurship. In terms of reliability and validity, all measurement models exhibited strong internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.88. Convergent validity was also confirmed, as the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for all constructs was greater than 0.5, ensuring that the measures captured the underlying concepts. The structural model fit indices supported the hypothesized relationships, with values such as CFI = 0.912 and RMSEA = 0.079 indicating a good fit between the data and the proposed model. Overall, the findings suggest that AI technology plays a vital role in enhancing sports startups, particularly when combined with sports entrepreneurship. The results align with previous studies that emphasize technology's transformative potential in reshaping sports business ecosystems, pointing to the importance of integrating AI-driven solutions with entrepreneurial strategies to foster innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth in the sports sector. These insights have practical implications for policymakers and entrepreneurs, who should focus on developing both technological capabilities and entrepreneurial skills to unlock the full potential of the sports startup ecosystem in the rapidly evolving global marketplace.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of sports startups, with sports entrepreneurship acting as a crucial mediator. The findings indicate that AI's impact on startups is fully mediated by entrepreneurial competencies, with a strong positive relationship (β = 0.58). This suggests that AI alone is not enough for startup success; instead, it must be integrated with entrepreneurial skills. The study provides valuable insights for startup founders, urging them to combine AI tools with entrepreneurial development programs. Policymakers are encouraged to create supportive environments that address both technological and entrepreneurial needs. However, the study's focus on Tehran and Alborz limits its generalizability, suggesting the need for future research across different regions. Additionally, a longitudinal approach could better capture the evolving influence of AI in the sports entrepreneurship ecosystem. Overall, these findings contribute to advancing the theoretical understanding of digital transformation in the sports industry.
Article Message
The findings of this study showed that artificial intelligence technology plays an effective role in the development of sports startups, while sports entrepreneurship, as another influential factor, provides the foundation for their growth and development. Therefore, leveraging artificial intelligence technology alongside strengthening sports entrepreneurship can contribute to the sustainable development and enhanced competitiveness of sports startups.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations were observed in this study.
Authors’ Contributions
All authors contributed to the conduct of this study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest in this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors sincerely thank all participants who took part in this study.