The $2.3 trillion global sports economy is experiencing robust growth, with annual revenues projected to reach $8.8 trillion by 2050. Like all other industry leaders, sports leagues, teams, and tournaments are determining how to utilize AI, turning to enterprise-grade solutions to boost performance, unlock new revenue, and deliver smarter fan experiences.
The IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge is a global effort to spotlight AI-driven startups with potential to redefine the sports industry. The program includes a series of independent, international regional showcase events and a separate, invite‑only pitch competition — the IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon — where the startup winner may be eligible to enter into an agreement with the IBM Sports and Entertainment Partnerships team for a paid proof of concept worth up to $100,000.
“The IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge gives us a unique chance to pair IBM’s deep sports tech expertise with the bold ideas emerging from founders worldwide,” said Emily Fontaine, Global Head of Venture Capital at IBM. “From how athletes perform to how fans engage, we’re excited to meet new innovators and help surface solutions that can have a major impact on how businesses in the sports industry scale and win. This program isn’t just a pitch competition. It’s a launchpad for the next generation of AI in sports.”
The 2026 program is now set, IBM will seek innovative ideas at the intersection of sports and technology, highlighting game-changing solutions across IBM’s technology portfolio in collaboration with its world-class sports and entertainment partnership team.
About the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge Initiative
The year-long program will feature a series of standalone startup showcases, at Web Summit Rio, Web Summit Vancouver, and Web Summit Lisbon, as well as on the sidelines of major tech and sporting events. The showcases provide a platform to meet sports tech founders where innovation happens, giving startups the opportunity to pitch their solutions in front of captivated audiences around the globe.
Showcases provide exposure not only to media and the public, but to key decision makers on the IBM Ventures and IBM Sports & Entertainment Partnerships teams, Venture Capital funds, and technology leaders who can offer guidance and meaningful connections for visibility and networking purposes only. Showcase events offer visibility and recognition only. Participation does not confer eligibility, priority, ranking, or advancement to the invite-only IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon.
In fall 2026, a select group of startups will be invited, at IBM’s discretion, to the IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon to pitch their sports tech solution and compete for the proof-of-concept prize. Such startups may be selected from any source. Pitches will be judged by executives from the IBM Ventures & IBM Sports and Entertainment Partnerships team, celebrity athletes, and VC industry leaders using criteria disclosed in official rules, which will be published in a few weeks on this page.
The winner of the invite-only pitch competition may be eligible to enter into a separate agreement with IBM to develop a proof of concept valued at up to $100,000, depending on the scope negotiated, subject to satisfying IBM’s internal investment criteria, obtaining required internal approvals and signing definitive documentation with the IBM Sports & Entertainment Partnership team—the group behind some of the world’s most iconic sports collaborations.
How to apply
Startups interested in participating in the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge can obtain additional information through the dedicated Web Summit Startup portal.
Startups should apply specifically to the showcases in which they are interested in attending.
- For Web Summit Vancouver, Rio, and Lisbon, startups should apply on the respective Web Summit site.
- For surrounding events hosted by IBM, including Tech Weeks and major sports moments, startups should apply on the IBM Ventures site.
Details, including eligibility, deadlines, and selection criteria will be available on both the Web Summit and IBM site.
Where you can pitch:
About IBM in sports
For more than three decades, IBM has been a tech partner to iconic sports organizations including the Masters, Wimbledon, the US Open, Scuderia Ferrari HP, UFC and ESPN Fantasy Football. IBM co-creates solutions with these sports partners to drive fan engagement, transform digital platforms, and ultimately make smarter fans by providing them with unrivaled insights and access to their favorite sports, teams, and athletes.
With the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge, IBM will bring this expertise to the startup community, accelerating innovation at the intersection of AI and sports.
Important Disclosures
IBM Sports Tech Startup Showcases are standalone, visibility‑only events. Participation in, or selection as a participant or winner of, a showcase does not confer eligibility, priority, ranking, or advancement to the invite‑only IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon. Invitations to that competition are extended solely at IBM’s discretion.
Participation in, or winning, a showcase does not guarantee an invitation to the IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon or any investment, proof of concept, commercial partnership, or present or future business relationship with IBM.
Any potential proof‑of‑concept engagement is subject to IBM’s internal requirements, applicable approvals, and the execution of separate definitive agreements, including a mutually agreed statement of work.
Participation in the IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition at Web Summit Lisbon is subject to applicable laws and the Official Rules. Participation in a showcase is subject to promotional terms published before the event.
Visit the IBM Ventures portal and Web Summit site to apply and reach out to Ellie Truitt at [email protected] with any questions.
