By Akiba Saeedi | Global Head of Venture Capital and Startup Ecosystem
November 09, 2026
After an exciting year of meeting founders where innovation happens, IBM is bringing the next generation of sports technology innovators together at Web Summit Lisbon for the culmination of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge.
Launched at Web Summit Lisbon 2025, the global initiative was designed to spotlight growth-stage startups building AI-powered solutions for the business of sports. Throughout 2026, IBM Ventures engaged founders through startup showcases at Web Summits in Vancouver and Rio, alongside major technology events including a16z Tech Weeks in New York and San Francisco, and in virtual forums. This week, at Web Summit Lisbon, we will host the last showcase along with the invite-only Prize Challenge. These showcase activities were designed to provide visibility and engagement opportunities and did not confer eligibility, ranking, priority, or advancement in the invitation-only Prize Challenge.
The events highlight how AI is helping redefine the future of sports, fandom, and creating new opportunities for organizations across the industry.
Spotlighting emerging innovators in sports technology
The last showcase of the challenge will take place on November 10, where six startups will take the stage at Web Summit Lisbon to present their solutions before industry leaders, investors, and sports executives. Select startups may also be invited to participate in the invitation-only Prize Challenge the following day. The showcase events are designed to provide visibility, engagement, and feedback opportunities for participating startups.
Web Summit Lisbon showcase participants:
- Proximity Works Inc. – AI engineering company that builds real-time intelligence and fan engagement systems for sports, media, and entertainment organizations.
- More Rewards – AI-powered fan revenue intelligence platform that helps sports organizations predict fan behavior, personalize rewards and offers, and drive revenue growth.
- Game Intuit – AI-driven scouting platform that predicts player performance and fit within specific teams and systems.
- N Tangible – Digital tokenization platform connecting physical assets and collectibles with blockchain-based ownership experiences.
- Valarita Sports – Community engagement platform that helps users discover and participate in local sports, fitness, and social events.
Participating startups will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges representing sports, technology and entrepreneurship, including:
- Sameer Patel, Innovation and Research Manager, FIFA
- Jose Chieira, Founder, TalentAlert.App
- Moderator: Gonçalo Costa Andrade, Software Director, IBM Portugal
The showcase serves as a forum for discussion, feedback, and visibility, giving founders the opportunity to present their ideas before the Web Summit audience and engage directly with industry experts. Select startups may be invited to participate in the invitation-only Prize Challenge.
The Prize Challenge
Following the showcase, on November 11, finalists will participate in the invite-only IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Challenge to a panel of judges spanning VC, sports, communications, and business leadership. So far, six startups are confirmed. Additional startups may be invited to participate in the invitation-only Prize Challenge, after the showcase in Lisbon on November 10.
The six confirmed finalists are:
- LingoPal – AI-powered live translation and dubbing platform that helps sports leagues and broadcasters deliver multilingual fan experiences in real time.
- Fanory – AI-driven creator monetization platform that helps creators deepen fan engagement and generate recurring revenue from their superfan communities.
- Neuron Systems – AI sports media platform that uses multiple AI analysts to generate real-time commentary, insights, and content for sports fans and creators.
- LivXP – Fan engagement marketplace that connects sports fans with exclusive experiences, auctions, and interactions with teams, athletes, and sports organizations.
- PressBox – AI-powered content platform that enables sports leagues, teams, and media organizations to create and personalize content at scale.
- TwelveLabs – Video intelligence company whose AI platform enables organizations to search, analyze, and extract insights from large-scale video libraries.
The Prize Challenge will be judged by:
The Prize Challenge Grand Prize includes up to $100,000 to support an eligible proof-of-concept project with IBM Sports and Entertainment Partnership Team, subject to separate review and agreement requirements, up to $20,000 in IBM credits to be applied toward services and technology, mentorship opportunities, and evaluation opportunities described in the Official Rules.
The IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge extends the company’s commitment to the startup community, helping identify the founders building the next generation of technologies that will shape the future of sports. For IBM Ventures, the challenge reflects our commitment to connecting emerging technology founders with the expertise, relationships, and opportunities to bring AI innovation into the business of sports.
Building the future of sports through AI
For more than 30 years, IBM has worked with some of the world’s most iconic sports organizations, including Wimbledon, the US Open, the Masters, Scuderia Ferrari HP, and UFC. Together, IBM and these organizations create AI-powered experiences that deliver deeper insights and more engaging digital experiences for fans worldwide.
About IBM Ventures
As the corporate venture capital arm of IBM, IBM Ventures invests in startups across enterprise AI and quantum software. A strategic investor, IBM Ventures works closely with startups and founders to bring innovative technologies into IBM and help drive value for clients. Through IBM’s technology, expertise, and global client network, IBM Ventures helps portfolio companies build strategic relationships and accelerate their growth.