NBA Launchpad Opens applications for fifth Cohort of Tech Startups
NEW YORK – The NBA has opened applications for the fifth cohort of its Launchpad program, seeking innovative technology startups focused on enhancing the basketball experience. Applications are being accepted through March 17, with the program set to begin in May.
Launched in 2021, NBA Launchpad is designed to identify and support early-stage companies developing technologies with potential applications across the NBA, WNBA, and broader basketball ecosystem.The program focuses on five key areas: player performance, fan engagement, live game operations, content creation, and the business of basketball. A sixth category, NBA Impact, is currently paused as the league prioritizes the other areas.
To date, four cohorts have included 22 companies from eight countries, resulting in over 60 deals with NBA or WNBA franchises and eight collaborations with league properties. The NBA actively steers these technologies toward the growth of basketball-specific products.
“The primary KPI that we’ve been thinking about is just how many of the companies that have come through have commercial deals with NBA or WNBA teams or the league,” said Tom ryan, the NBA’s SVP overseeing technology initiatives. “The core reason that we started Launchpad is entirely strategic. We’re not doing this for financial returns or else we would design it very differently. And it’s really just,are these companies making an impact across the NBA and the broader basketball ecosystem?”
Recent Launchpad graduates include sportiq,which assisted in on-court testing of automated officiating products during Summer League,and Somnee,a sleep wearable company that raised $10 million in June with participation from Orlando Magic owners. the league has invested in seven Launchpad graduates.
