SportTech

Manchester-based ProDataStack is looking to change how professional athletes understand, evidence and negotiate their value, with a data and analytics platform built specifically for elite sport.

Founded in 2022 by data specialist and author Fiona Green, the business was sparked by Kevin De Bruyne鈥檚 data-led contract negotiations at Manchester City.

The moment highlighted how few athletes had access to the kind of insight needed to truly understand their market worth and ProDataStack was created to close that gap.

Backed by 鈥檚 Innovation Service, the company has developed a centralised platform that brings together six performance, digital and market datasets into a single, accessible dashboard.聽

The result is a clear, evidence-based view of an athlete鈥檚 value, designed for use by players, agents and teams alike.聽

The platform is already being used by Team Scotland in preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as well as by agents representing elite athletes including Premier League defender R煤ben Dias and Manchester United Women鈥檚 Jayde Riviere.

With support from the Hub, including a 拢12,000 innovation grant, the firm completed a focused four-month R&D programme to deliver its flagship feature, the PDS Index, launched in June 2025 – a full year ahead of schedule.

The PDS Index combines sporting performance, Google search interest, social media engagement and salary data, which are processed through a machine-learning model to generate a single brand-value score.聽

boohoo upgrades profit expectations amid PLT U-turn

The tool is designed to give athletes and their representatives credible, defensible evidence when entering contract negotiations, endorsements or commercial discussions.

Over the past year, ProDataStack has expanded its team across sales, software development, account management and data analysis, with further recruitment planned throughout 2026.

The business has also secured its first pilot customer in the US, entering the market 12 months ahead of plan, and is in discussions with major sports media organisations including TalkSport, Sky Sports and The Athletic about integrating the PDS Index into future coverage and analysis.

ProDataStack鈥檚 growing profile has opened up new opportunities for Green herself, including an international book deal and speaking invitations at leading sports technology and coaching conferences.

鈥淭he Innovation Service played a pivotal role in helping us accelerate our development,鈥 she said.聽

鈥淭heir guidance and understanding of the innovation funding process made a huge difference and we鈥檝e been able to move far faster than we ever expected.鈥

Yvonne Grady, head of innovation at GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub, added: 鈥淧roDataStack is a brilliant example of the innovation happening across Greater Manchester.聽

鈥淔iona and her team have built a tool with genuine global potential, and we鈥檙e proud to have supported them in bringing this world鈥慺irst platform to market.鈥

‘Shareholders will miss out’: FitzWalter makes final 拢491m ATG bid