SPACInsider Maximilian Martin on The Enhanced Games, Where Banned Substances Are the Point
Mar 4, 2026
Maximilian Martin, CEO and co-founder of The Enhanced Games, outlines a competition that allows clinically approved performance enhancements. He discusses recruiting athletes, safety protocols and permitted substances. He also explains the startup approach to launching a new sport, venue and broadcast plans, plus plans to build consumer products from elite R&D.
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Founders Brought Tech And Crypto Operational Experience
- Maximilian Martin pivoted from investment banking to tech and Bitcoin mining before cofounding The Enhanced Games with Christian Angermeyer and Aaron D'Souza.
- Bitfield scaled during COVID, was acquired in 2021, and that operational experience shaped Enhanced's startup-style approach to sports innovation.
Enhanced Games Uses Science And Market Incentives
- The Enhanced Games aims to let medically approved but currently banned substances be used under clinical supervision to improve performance and athlete compensation.
- Martin frames it as combining precision medicine with a for-profit model to pay athletes far better than existing athletics structures.
Run A Sports Launch Like A Lean Startup
- Build a new sports league like a startup: identify key value levers, secure staged financing, and scale only when metrics justify it.
- Martin emphasized partnering with experienced operators like Van Wagner and spending only dollars you actually have.