Paris Saint-Germain Launch Joint Innovation Studio Focused on Blockchain and AI

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Storied French football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have announced the launch of the Joint Innovation Studio (JIS), in collaboration with Matchain - an AI-focused blockchain that focuses on decentralised identity.

The JIS is pitched as a ‘global platform’, operating from PSG’s headquarters in Paris — focusing on uniting experts in Web3 and emerging technologies to create technology solutions that can enhance and disrupt fan engagement solutions, club technology stacks and club operations.

JIS is seen as ‘open and inclusive’ by the creators — and is accepting applications from the following:

• Web3 projects exploring NFTs, tokenised systems, or decentralised solutions.

• AI Innovators delivering personalised fan experiences or performance analytics.

• Blockchain Startups building secure ticketing, loyalty programs, or data-sharing platforms.

• Tech Visionaries ready to develop tools that drive PSG's digital transformation.

Essentially, the way to look at this is a venture studio or accelerator that aims to enhance PSG's digital strategy using Blockchain and AI. Like any accelerator, JIS has listed several key areas that could be potential focus areas.

They include:

• Tokenized Membership Programs: blockchain-based loyalty products that deliver exclusive benefits such as earning tokens for attending matches, purchasing merchandise and interacting online.

• NFT & Exclusive Digital Collectibles: digital collectibles based on real-time milestones and player performances.

• Decentralized Identity (DID): solutions to give fans secure control over their personal data while improving operational processes.

• Blockchain-Powered Ticketing: secure, scalable ticketing systems that aim to eliminate fraud, unauthorised resales, seamless and transparent transfer of ownership, and real-time data attendance.

Alongside these blockchain-focused areas of innovation, JIS is also looking at AI-Powered Personalized Content, AI-Driven Club Operations and Immersive VR/AR Experiences.

Par Helgosson, Head of PSG Labs said:

Analysis & Concluding Thoughts 🧠

It’s fascinating to see a team create something like this, that aims to broaden their effectiveness across blockchain and emerging technology whilst platforming other ventures and startups.

What strikes me as a sticking point, however, is how some of these startups and solution providers meld with current PSG partners across a variety of inventory; ticketing, NFTs, fan tokens and ID solutions to name a few.

Do the solutions born out of JIS have to work with those partners, and if so, will those partners even want to do so?

Take ticketing for example.

These deals are exceptionally hard to do, and most blockchain ticketing solutions are not battle-tested. So would an existing PSG ticketing partner implement and test this product, or would said ticketing solution be tested and used in something less matchday focused such as a charity event or something along those lines?

We have seen a trend in sports where leagues and in this case, teams, opening digital accelerators.