๐ Gen-next Challenge 2025
๐ Gen-next Challenge 2025
The student challenge invites all post-secondary students to present their ideas to foster innovation in sustainability for a better future!
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Welcome to the Gen-next Challenge for the chance to make a real difference!
As part of the ThinkSport's Sport Innovation Challenges, Gen-next Challenge is designed to inspire and engage participants from business management bachelor and master programs by giving them the opportunity to tackle real-world problems faced by the sports industry. Developed in collaboration with key industry players, this challenge offers a hands-on learning experience, allowing young innovators to apply their creativity and problem-solving skills to practical, high-impact issues.
The challenge is carried by FIBA, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, who defines and represents the topic throughout the challenge.
We truly believe that the talent and creativity of our future generations is the main driving force in moving us forward. By working on actual sport federation challenges, the Gen-next Challenge bridges the gap between education and the professional sports world, equipping the next generation with the skills and experience needed to drive meaningful change in sport. That's why we are calling for universities with your participants to join the challenge and play a key role in building the future of sport!
By participating, you stand a chance to win tickets to a basketball game in prizes and rewards in addition to developing your brilliant ideas!
Choose from 2 Categories
Topic 1
Fuelling the flame of growth in Women’s Basketball
You can read more details on the page "Categories".
Topic 2
Unlocking Health Data & Medical Device Opportunities for Basketball
You can read more details on the page "Categories".
Timeline
Registration Phase for Universities
1 April 2025 - 31 August 2025
Participation confirmation for Academic partners, and promotion and their institution.
•••
Kick-off Event
20 September 2025
Participants Registration, team creation, and selection of the field of interest.
Please, register to the Kick-off event by this link.
•••
Gameplay & Mentoring Phase
21 September 2025 - 9 November 2025
Prepare your project, take part in workshops and sessions with your dedicated coach to prepare your project.
•••
Local Selection Phase
10 November 2025 - 23 November 2025
Live presentation in front of the dedicated professor.
The top project of each university will be shortlisted by the professor.
One team per university selected to the Final Pitching Day.
•••
Final Preparation Phase
24 November 2025 - 30 November 2025
Prepare your final presentation deck and prototype to showcase in front of the jury.
You can still contact your dedicated coach to finalise your project.
•••
Final Pitching Day
10 December 2025
Top finalist will be chosen to pitch in front of a jury at the House of Basketball (FIBA place) in Nyon.
5’ pitch presentation per group (live)
5’ Q&A (live)
•••
Testing Phase
Current 2026
Prizes
- 1st
- 2nd
- 3rd
1st
Each member of the First Place team for the Topic 1 will win:
- Support in developing their brillant idea
- An official FIBA Women's World Cup Game Ball by Molten
- Game tickets to the FIBA Women's World Cup Berlin 2026
- An opportunity to present their findings at the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre Partners Summit, held alongside the FIBA Women's World Cup Berlin 2026
- Internship opportunity at FIBA Women's World Cup Berlin 2026 (optional)
- A ticket to THE SPOT 2026 event
Each member of the First Place team for the Topic 2 will win:
- Support in developing their brillant idea
- An official FIBA Women's World Cup Game Ball by Molten
- Game tickets to the FIBA Women's World Cup Berlin 2026
- An opportunity to present their findings at the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre Partners Summit, held alongside the FIBA Women's World Cup Berlin 2026
- A ticket to THE SPOT 2026 event
2nd
Each member of the Second Place team will win:
- A range of fantastic gadgets
3rd
Each member of the Third Place team will win:
- A range of fantastic gadgets
Final Pitching Day
On final date, finalists will be invited for the chance to pitch their idea to our expert judging panel, consists of key decision makers of FIBA, who will then select the winners of the Sport Innovation Challenge for Sport Organisations - 6th Gen-next edition!