Abdelrahman Edris develops PhygiSync to transform football fan engagement
Our students continue to show how ideas developed in the classroom can evolve into meaningful, real-world projects. Through hands-on learning, collaboration with faculty, and practical experience, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge beyond coursework, gaining valuable skills in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship along the way. One of those students is Abdelrahman Edris, a Global Business Management senior, who is currently developing PhygiSync, a project focused on transforming the relationship between football clubs and their fans through technology, authentication, and digital engagement.
Bridging the physical and digital fan experience
Driven by a passion for football and innovation, Edris began developing PhygiSync. As he explains, “PhygiSync bridges the physical and digital fan experience. We authenticate official sports merchandise and turn it into exclusive rewards, digital collectibles, and verified communities.”
The idea emerged from his desire to see fan engagement evolve beyond traditional experiences. “I have been a football fan since my youth days. This has filled me with love for the sport and built a special connection,” he said. The project officially began taking shape during the last semester, when he started exploring opportunities within the football industry together with a team that originally included several RIT alumni.
From idea to MVP
Like many startup ideas, PhygiSync first began with research, conversations, and testing. According to Edris, the project gained momentum once he started discussing the concept with other football fans and recognized genuine interest in the idea. “I had to take four months to do a feasibility study and check the data,” he explained. “When it all seemed reasonable, the next stage was to make the idea come to life.” Today, the project is focused on testing its MVP and exploring potential collaborations with football clubs. One of the major challenges PhygiSync aims to address is counterfeiting within the sports merchandise market. Edris pointed out that “counterfeit sportswear and merchandise cause over £12 billion in lost sales across Europe alone.”
At the same time, the project also responds to upcoming Digital Product Passport (D.P.P.) regulations. As Edris explained, every product will soon require “a digital identity/footprint,” while PhygiSync aims to transform that requirement into an opportunity for clubs and fans through digital verification, collectibles, and engagement systems.
Applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges
Edris credits his studies at RIT Croatia and the support of faculty members for helping shape the project. He specifically highlighted the influence of the Seminar in Management course and mentorship from Dr. Jasminka Samardžija. “My studies in the Seminar in Management course helped me understand the regulatory process behind opening a business in the European Market,” he said. “Dr. Samardžija personally helped me in creating a hypothetical entry for PhygiSync to the Spanish market.”
The project itself also became an opportunity to develop practical business and teamwork skills. He is currently working on PhygiSync with a project partner, with responsibilities divided according to expertise and resources. “My partner gets legal and accounting roles while I maintain the management and development,” he explained.
Building connections with football clubs
As part of the project’s development, Edris has already initiated conversations with football clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Hungary. Early feedback helped him recognize the need to adapt the product. “The initial contact was met with an interest in the idea but without an openness to try it as the idea originally developed as an app,” he explained, noting that many clubs already operate their own mobile applications. After pivoting toward a simpler API solution integrated through WhatsApp, the response from clubs improved significantly. One of the most notable discussions so far has involved GNK Dinamo Zagreb. Edris explained that meaningful conversations after a guest lecture led to new professional connections, highlighting how classroom experiences can open doors to meaningful networking.
Looking ahead, Edris’s goal is to have PhygiSync fully operational by 2027. The next major steps include funding rounds, trial runs, and securing contracts that would support the platform’s continued growth and development. By combining technology, football culture, and digital innovation, Edris is working to create a platform that strengthens the connection between clubs and fans while encouraging authentic engagement in the sports industry.
