{"id":27048,"date":"2026-06-08T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T06:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zone14.ai\/?post_type=news&p=27048"},"modified":"2026-06-11T11:11:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:11:10","slug":"manuel-ortlechner-joins-zone14","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/zone14.ai\/en\/news\/manuel-ortlechner-steigt-bei-zone14\/","title":{"rendered":"Prominent new addition: Manuel Ortlechner joins football AI company zone14"},"content":{"rendered":"

The former sporting director and Austria Vienna captain brings Champions League experience, club leadership expertise, and a strong international network to the next growth phase of the Viennese sports tech company.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

VIENNA, AUSTRIA \u2014 06\/08\/2026<\/strong> \u2014 Viennese football AI company zone14, which provides professional video analysis, AI-powered match data, and automated insights for clubs, announces a prominent new addition: Manuel Ortlechner is now part of the company. This brings together the experience of a defining personality in Austrian football and the technological expertise of zone14.<\/p>\n

Ortlechner, who wore the number 14 during his active playing days with Wiener Austria, is strengthening zone14 in the midst of its international expansion phase. As a former national team player, Bundesliga champion, Champions League participant, and later sporting director, he combines a rare mix of sporting excellence, locker room insider knowledge, and strategic club management from his time in top-flight football.<\/p>\n

The former Bundesliga professional thus expands an already star-studded group of investors: In addition to Ortlechner, big names from the startup and tech scene are already betting on zone14\u201cs growth \u2013 including Runtastic founders Alfred Luger and Christian Kaar, Wolfgang Reisinger (Tractive), as well as Tim Moser (GET, ELF), Silke Greiner, Christian Kranebitter (BE-Terna) and Philipp Omenitsch. \u201dWe are currently growing primarily through expansion into new markets, and we've been in talks with Manuel for a long time. He will help us immensely with his expertise and network,\" says Schmiderer, Co-CEO of zone14.<\/p>\n

A new perspective for the future of football analytics<\/h2>\n

For zone14, Ortlechner's involvement means enormous strategic added value. He brings a deep understanding of the needs of clubs at all levels \u2013 from the training pitch and video analysis to the decision-making bodies where squad planning, scouting, and player development are decided.<\/p>\n

Lukas Gr\u00f6mer, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of zone14, explains:<\/strong> \u201eManuel brings exactly the enthusiasm for football, paired with leadership and team spirit, that we at zone14 greatly appreciate. He has performed at the highest level and, as a former sporting director, understands precisely what clubs truly need to develop further - from the pitch to the management level. As we grow strongly internationally, his joining is a milestone and a strong signal. His credibility and network are invaluable to us.\u201c<\/p>\n

Pro Insights for All Levels<\/h2>\n

zone14 has developed an integrated ecosystem for AI-based football analysis, making insights previously only available to the absolute world elite accessible to every club. In addition to automated AI camera technology and video analysis software, the system delivers player-based running data directly via the camera image for the first time \u2013 completely without costly wearables or trackers on the players' bodies.<\/p>\n

Following its successful expansion into Germany and Croatia, Ortlechner will support the team in building deeper partnerships within the football world, from professional academies to ambitious youth and lower league clubs.<\/p>\n

Manuel Ortlechner on his entry:<\/strong> \u201eThroughout my entire career, I've seen how crucial details are in football. The right video and precise data can make the difference between victory and defeat for players and coaches. What immediately convinced me about zone14: the technology is absolutely practical, intuitive, and built for the reality of football clubs. The team operates at the highest level, and I look forward to helping bring this Austrian innovation to even more clubs internationally.\u201c<\/p>\n

With Manuel Ortlechner, the circle closes with the brand name: the legendary number 14 is now part of zone14 \u2013 and the next chapter of the company's history begins.<\/p>\n

About zone14<\/h3>\n

zone14 is a leading Vienna-based sports tech startup that provides professional video analysis and player data for clubs, coaches, and athletes of all performance levels. The ecosystem includes AI-powered camera technology, automated live streaming, intuitive analysis software, and automated player statistics. Thanks to intelligent tracking algorithms, no wearables or additional hardware on the players' bodies are necessary.<\/p>\n

About Manuel Ortlechner<\/h3>\n

Manuel Ortlechner is a former Austrian national football player and long-time captain of FK Austria Wien. In his active career, he made over 200 competitive appearances for the \u201eViolets,\u201c celebrated the Austrian championship title in the 2012\/13 season, and played in the UEFA Champions League. After his active career, he remained loyal to football in strategic leadership roles, including as a TV expert, start-up founder, and as Sporting Director for Austria Wien.<\/p>\n

Contact for queries:
\nSimon Schmiderer | Co-CEO
\nTel: +43 699 19531651
\nEmail: simon@zone14.ai<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n

Presse<\/p>\n

Weitere Medienberichte<\/h2>\n

\n Eine Auswahl an Berichten \u00fcber Manuel Ortlechners Einstieg bei zone14.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n brutkasten<\/span>
\n Ex-Austria-Wien-Kapit\u00e4n Manuel Ortlechner investiert in Wiener Fu\u00dfball-Startup<\/span>
\n Artikel lesen \u2192<\/span>
\n <\/a><\/p>\n


\n Trending Topics<\/span>
\n Fu\u00dfball-AI-Firma zone14 holt Austria-Legende Manuel Ortlechner an Bord<\/span>
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\n Ligaportal<\/span>
\n Prominent new addition: Manuel Ortlechner joins football AI company zone14<\/span>
\n Artikel lesen \u2192<\/span>
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\n Heute<\/span>
\n Nach Austria-Aus: Neuer Job f\u00fcr Ortlechner<\/span>
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\n Vienna.at<\/span>
\n Austria-Legende Ortlechner steigt bei Wiener KI-Fu\u00dfballfirma ein<\/span>
\n Artikel lesen \u2192<\/span>
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