IBM and Web Summit are collaborating to present a two-day event focused on spotlighting AI-driven startups that are redefining the sports industry. The initiative offers distinct opportunities for startups to showcase their innovations, connect with industry leaders, and compete for a significant proof-of-concept prize.
Program Structure
The event is structured over two days, offering two different ways for startups to participate:
• IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge: A showcase event for global AI-driven startups in the sports sector.
• IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition: An invite-only competition for a paid proof of concept.
IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge: Showcase
• Date: Tuesday, November 10
• Objective: This global program is designed to spotlight AI-driven startups that are innovating within the sports industry.
• Opportunity: Participants are invited to showcase their AI solutions, providing a platform to gain visibility, receive expert feedback, and connect with industry leaders.
• Important Disclosure: This is a standalone, visibility-only showcase. It does not grant eligibility or priority for the invite-only IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition. Participation does not guarantee future invitations, investment, or other business relationships with IBM. Any potential proof-of-concept engagement requires separate IBM approvals and definitive agreements.
IBM Sports Tech Startup Prize Competition
• Date: Wednesday, November 11
• Format: An invite-only competitive event held at Web Summit Lisbon.
• Prize: The winner will receive a paid proof of concept worth up to US$100,000.
• Opportunity: The competition allows selected startups to showcase their AI solutions for the sports industry to an audience of IBM Ventures partners, IBM Sports & Entertainment Partnerships executives, sports and tech executives, and world-class athletes.
• Important Information: The prize is a paid proof of concept under a separate agreement with the IBM Sports & Entertainment Partnerships team, subject to the satisfaction of conditions and approvals. Participation does not guarantee investment or any business relationship with IBM.
About the Organizers
• IBM in Sports: For over three decades, IBM has served as a technology 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 partners to drive fan engagement and transform digital platforms.
• Web Summit: Web Summit organizes the world’s largest technology events, with a mission to create software that enables meaningful connections between CEOs, founders, investors, media, politicians, and cultural figureheads. Its flagship event is Web Summit in Lisbon, with other events held in Rio, Qatar, Vancouver, and Asia.
• IBM's Mission: IBM combines software, consulting, and infrastructure to help clients solve major business challenges. Its platforms embed AI into core systems and scale across hybrid cloud environments to improve business outcomes.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for the startup community to engage with established industry leaders. By fusing IBM's legacy in sports technology with the ingenuity of emerging startups, the program aims to accelerate innovation at the intersection of AI and sports, potentially sparking the next era of growth across the industry.