Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article was to identify barriers to launching sports startups and provide solutions.
Methodology: The present study was qualitative and applied in terms of purpose. Library studies, interviews and Delphi questionnaire were used to collect data. The statistical population was sports management professors, specialists in science and technology parks and sports start-ups in Hamadan province. Using purposive sampling method, 30 people participated in the Delphi panel. According to the Kendall coefficient, the Delphi approach ended in the third round.
Results: Findings showed that the barriers to launching sports startups can be summarized in 6 components; obstacles to starting sports startups included managerial barriers, socio-cultural barriers, lack of awareness and ignorance, legal barriers, human capital barriers and environmental barriers were mentioned. In accordance with the obstacles, management strategies, socio-cultural strategies, educational strategies, legal solutions and environmental solutions were mentioned.
Conclusion: It seems that the set of managerial, cultural and social factors, barriers to human capital, structural-commercial, legal-legal barriers and environmental conditions are among the barriers to start-up in a sports startup ecosystem and in this regard, according to solutions, support of organizations and institutions for startups seems necessary.
Keywords: Business Management, Sports Entrepreneurship, Start-ups, Strategies, Startup Challenges