IBM and Web Summit have announced the Sports Tech Startup Challenge, a new global competition designed to uncover breakthrough AI-driven solutions that could transform the sports and entertainment industry.

The initiative will include regional competitions in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio de Janeiro, with winners advancing to a global finale at Web Summit Lisbon 2026. Each event will be conducted under local regulations, with official rules published ahead of every regional round.

AI Takes the Field in Global Sports

Sports organizations worldwide are rapidly integrating AI to boost athlete performance, streamline operations, and enhance fan engagement. IBM, a trusted technology partner for more than 30 years to organizations like Wimbledon, the Masters, and the US Open, is extending its expertise to the startup ecosystem for the first time through this challenge.

“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 the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge, we’ll fuse that legacy with the ingenuity of some of the world’s best startups, to spark the next era of sports innovation — and write a new playbook for AI-driven growth across the industry.”

A Year-Long Series of Regional Pitch Events

The competition will unfold over a 12-month cycle, featuring regional pitch events where startups present enterprise-grade AI solutions for the sports and entertainment industry. Each regional event will be evaluated by a panel of industry leaders, including IBM executives, technology innovators, and elite athletes.

Regional winners will advance to the Lisbon stage at Web Summit 2026, where a global winner will be announced. The top startup may receive a paid proof of concept worth up to $100,000 with IBM’s Sports and Entertainment Partnership Team, mentorship from IBM experts, and consideration for venture funding opportunities.

“As one of our long-standing partners, we’re delighted to enter this new phase with IBM,” said Kevin McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer at 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.”

Startups can find eligibility details and submission guidelines through the Web Summit Startups Portal, with information to be released ahead of each regional event.

IBM Named Official AI Partner for All Web Summit 2026 Events

IBM will also serve as the Official AI Partner across all Web Summit 2026 conferences in Qatar, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, and Lisbon. As part of the collaboration, IBM will host live activations and curated programs centered on AI and quantum computing for businesses, underscoring its commitment to accelerating innovation across industries.

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

This article was created with AI assistance.