IBM and Web Summit have teamed up to launch the Sports Tech Startup Challenge, a new global competition aimed at identifying startups using AI to transform the game — from on-field performance and operations to how fans engage around the world.

The year-long challenge will host regional events in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, with finalists converging at Web Summit Lisbon 2026 for the global showcase and winner announcement. Each regional event will have its own rules and eligibility, but the mission stays the same: find the next wave of sports tech innovators ready to scale their AI impact.

Sports tech is booming, and organizations are racing to adopt smarter systems that blend performance insights, business intelligence, and fan engagement into one ecosystem. IBM has long been at the center of that evolution — from Wimbledon’s AI-driven match insights to the Masters’ digital experiences and Ferrari’s data-driven performance analytics. Now, the company is channeling that legacy into supporting startups directly.

IBM has spent decades partnering with global sports icons, integrating our technology to redefine how the game is played, watched, and experienced,” said Emily Fontaine, Global Head of Venture Capital at IBM. “With this challenge, we’re merging that legacy with the creativity of the startup ecosystem to ignite the next era of sports innovation.”

Over a 12-month cycle, startups will pitch enterprise-grade AI solutions to a panel of tech executives, sports leaders, and world-class athletes. Winners could receive:

A paid proof of concept with IBM valued up to $100,000,
Mentorship** from IBM’s innovation and venture teams, and
Potential consideration for venture funding.

For IBM, it’s more than a competition — it’s a new way to fuel the growing intersection of sports, data, and AI-driven business growth.

Stay tuned as Sports Tech Atlanta tracks how this global competition could reshape the startup landscape and spark the next generation of AI-powered sports innovation.