340. Kelly Biderman. National Havoc Robot League.
Kelly Biderman
November 14, 2024
Listen to full episode :
In this interview, Havoc Robotics CEO Kelly Biderman shares how she uses her media and content background to grow the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL). She sees robot fighting as more than just competition; it's a way to engage a diverse audience and inspire interest in STEM. By focusing on accessibility, inclusivity, and compelling content, NHRL is moving robot fighting more mainstream. Biderman's success demonstrates how digital marketing strategies from entertainment and publishing can be effectively applied to new industries.
Interview Highlights:
Robot Fighting as a Mainstream Sport: The vision for robot fighting includes its evolution into a mainstream sport, with a vibrant ecosystem at both professional and collegiate levels.
Accessibility and Inclusivity: The National Havoc Robot League (NHRL) is dedicated to making robot fighting accessible to participants of all backgrounds and experience levels. The league places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, welcoming diverse communities into the sport.
The Role of Content and Social Media: To expand its audience, NHRL prioritizes engaging content creation and strategic social media use, resulting in substantial growth in its online following.
The Fan-to-Builder Pipeline: NHRL encourages fans to transition into builders and competitors, fostering a strong community and deepening engagement within the sport.
The Future of Robot Fighting: There is a strong belief in the potential of robot fighting to inspire future generations of engineers and tech enthusiasts, positioning the sport as influential force in STEM engagement.
Kelly Biderman is the CEO of Havoc Robotics, hosts of the National Havoc Robot League (NHRL), the world's largest series of robot fighting tournaments. At the NHRL, her mission is to discover and promote the next generation of STEM leaders in order to develop a new category of intellectual and innovative sports (iSports). A self-described qualitative pattern spotter, Kelly boasts 15 years of expertise across news and media companies. Before joining Havoc Robotics, she held senior leadership roles in operations, strategy, and digital transformation at Katie Couric Media, Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal. She lives in New York with her family, young son, and German Shepard.
Follow & Learn More:
Kelly Biderman
NHRL