IBM and Web Summit to Launch Sports Tech Startup Challenge to Fuel Next Wave of Innovation in Sports

Rhea-AI Summary

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Web Summit launched the Sports Tech Startup Challenge, a 12-month global competition to find AI-driven sports solutions with regional events in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio and a global finale at Web Summit Lisbon 2026.

Winners may receive a paid proof of concept up to $100,000, mentorship from IBM experts, and evaluation for venture funding. IBM will also be the Official AI Partner across Web Summit 2026 conferences and host on-floor AI and quantum activations.

Positive

• Official AI Partner across Web Summit 2026 conferences
• Paid proof of concept of up to $100,000 offered to winners

Negative

• Winners are only eligible for evaluation for venture funding, not guaranteed investment
• Participation and events are subject to local laws and official rules, creating regional variability

Insights

Sports Tech Partnerships Analyst

A global partnership and startup challenge that may accelerate AI sports solutions and offer startups a paid proof‑of‑concept.

This initiative pairs IBM with Web Summit to run regional competitions in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, culminating at Web Summit Lisbon 2026. The program runs over a 12-month cycle and offers winners potential benefits including a paid proof of concept valued at up to $100,000, mentorship from IBM experts, and evaluation for venture funding.

The business mechanism is straightforward: the challenge sources startups with enterprise‑grade AI for sports, showcases regional winners on a global stage, and channels selected projects into a paid POC with IBM's sports and entertainment partnership team. This creates a low‑friction path for pilots and potential commercialisation with a large technology partner.

Key dependencies and risks include compliance with local laws and the published official rules, the competitive selection process, and the limited scale of the stated POC budget relative to enterprise deployment costs. The announcement gives no revenue, equity, or contractual detail, so actual commercial impact for participants or IBM remains uncertain.

Concrete items to watch: the published regional rules and eligibility, the timing and shortlist for each regional event, the criteria used by judges, and the teams/technologies chosen at Web Summit Lisbon 2026. Expect clarity on commercial terms and proof‑of‑concept scope as the next material disclosures.

• The IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge will seek to find game-changing solutions that could be leveraged throughout IBM's technology portfolio and world-class global sports and entertainment partnership team.
• Regional startup competitions planned for Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, leading to the global finale at Web Summit Lisbon 2026.
• IBM to become the Official AI Partner across all Web Summit 2026 conferences in Qatar, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon.

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Web Summit today unveiled a new global sports-tech competition proposal. The Sports Tech Startup Challenge will spotlight startups using AI to revolutionize sports — from athlete performance and stadium operations to fan engagement — with regional events planned for Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, culminating with global winners being selected during Web Summit Lisbon 2026. Participation will be subject to local laws and official rules to be published before each regional competition.

As one of the world's fastest-growing industries, sports entities of all shapes and sizes are racing to better integrate AI, turning to enterprise-grade solutions to boost performance, unlock new revenue, and deliver smarter fan experiences. For more than three decades, IBM has been a trustworthy tech partner to iconic sports organizations including the Masters, Wimbledon, the US Open, Scuderia Ferrari HP, UFC and ESPN Fantasy Football. With the SportsTech Startup Challenge, IBM will bring this unrivaled expertise to the sports tech startup community for the first time, accelerating innovation at the intersection of AI and sports.

"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, GlobalHead of Venture Capital at IBM. "With the IBM & Web Summit Sports AI Startup Challenge, we'll fuse that legacy with the ingenuity of some of world's best startups, to spark the next era of sports innovation — and write a new playbook for AI-driven growth across the industry."

The IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge is expected to unfold over a 12-month cycle, including mini-regional competitions where startups will pitch enterprise-grade AI solutions for the sports and entertainment industry. Pitches will be judged by a slate of industry leaders, including IBM leaders, sports and tech executives, and world class athletes. Regional winners will be showcased live on stage at Lisbon Web Summit 2026 and conclude with the winner selection. Winners may be eligible for the following from IBM: a paid proof of concept valued at up to $100,000 in collaboration with IBM Sports and Entertainment Partnership Team, mentorship from IBM's world-class experts in tech, innovation, and business development and evaluation for venture funding.

"As one of our long-standing partners, we're delighted to enter this new phase with IBM," said Kevin McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer, Web Summit. "We have helped showcase startups over the years which have went on to become some of the world's biggest companies, such as Revolut, Stripe and Whoop. This partnership highlights the rapid growth of AI in sports tech, fusing the biggest growth sector in tech with the sports that captivate billions worldwide. We look forward to discovering the next big success story together with IBM over the coming 12 months."

How to Apply
Startups interested in participating in the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge will be able to obtain additional information through the dedicated Web Summit Startups portal. Details, including eligibility, deadlines, and selection criteria will be announced on the portal closer to each regional pitch event.

Applicants may begin the process by going to the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge portal: https://websummit.com/ibm-ai-startup-challenge/

IBM as Web Summit's Official 2026 AI Partner
IBM is the Official AI Partner across all Web Summit 2026 conferences in Qatar, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon and will host a series of on floor activations and curated content programs focused on AI and quantum for businesses.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About Web Summit
Web Summit is a global technology events company that brings together founders, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to connect and exchange ideas about the technologies and trends shaping the world. Since 2009, Web Summit's portfolio - including Web Summit in Lisbon, Web Summit Rio in South America, Web Summit Vancouver in North America, and Web Summit Qatar in the Middle East, and RISE in Asia - has attracted nearly one million participants. Its newest event, Web Summit Vancouver, launched in May 2025. To learn more, visit websummit.com and follow Web Summit on LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Web Summit
media@websummit.com

Rebeccah Propp
IBM
Rebeccah.propp@ibm.com

 

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SOURCE IBM

FAQ

What is the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge timeline and where are regional events?

The program runs over a 12-month cycle with regional competitions in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio and a global finale at Web Summit Lisbon 2026.

What prize and support does IBM offer winners of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge?

Winners may receive a paid proof of concept up to $100,000, mentorship from IBM experts, and evaluation for venture funding.

How can startups apply to the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge (IBM)?

Startups can begin the process through the dedicated Web Summit Startups portal at https://websummit.com/ibm-ai-startup-challenge/ where eligibility and deadlines will be posted.

What types of sports tech solutions is IBM seeking in the challenge (IBM)?

The challenge targets AI solutions across athlete performance, stadium operations, and fan engagement for sports and entertainment.

Will IBM feature at other Web Summit 2026 events besides the startup challenge?

Yes. IBM is the Official AI Partner for Web Summit 2026 conferences in Qatar, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, and Lisbon and will run on-floor activations and content programs.

Are funding or commercial partnerships guaranteed for winners of the IBM Sports Tech Startup Challenge?

No. Winners are offered a paid POC and mentorship; any venture funding or commercial deal is not guaranteed and subject to further evaluation.