๐ Gen-next Challenge 2026
๐ Gen-next Challenge 2026
The FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge invites post-secondary students to develop bold, practical solutions that can help shape the future of equestrian sport, with a focus on fan engagement, technology, fairness, and the next generation of sports innovation.
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FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge 2026
From registration
to the final pitch.
Follow the complete journey, know what happens at each stage and stay ahead of every key deadline.
3-5students per team
2FEI challenge topics
ENsubmission language
27 NovFinal Pitching Day
Challenge roadmap
Eight steps. One clear journey.
Each phase has one purpose: help your team move from a real sport challenge to a solution that is clear, feasible and ready to pitch.
01
1 June - 31 August 2026
University confirmation
Academic partners confirm their participation with ThinkSport.
- Universities contact the organisers and complete the participation agreement.
- Confirmation deadline: 31 August at 12:00 Central European time.
02
1 - 30 September 2026
Student registration
Students create their profiles and form their teams on Agorize.
- Create a team of 3 to 5 students and select one challenge topic.
- Use the format UniversityName_TeamName for the team name.
- Register before the kick-off whenever possible.
03
15 September 2026 · 15:00-16:30 CEST
Kick-off event
Meet the organisers, discover the two FEI use cases and understand the challenge objectives, rules, deliverables, platform and next steps.
- The live session introduces the challenge, its timeline and the participation journey.
- Professors are welcome to join.
View the 90-minute agenda
15:00-15:10
Welcome and overview of the two use cases (ThinkSport Team)
15:10-15:30
Introduction to the FEI (Derek Vivien, FEI)
15:30-15:45
Athlete perspective and Q&A (Sam Watson, EquiRatings)
15:45-15:50
Short break
15:50-16:05
Use Case 1: Fan Engagement (Derek Vivien and Sam Watson)
16:05-16:20
Use Case 2: Technology and Fairness in Eventing (FEI Eventing Department and Sam Watson)
16:20-16:30
Challenge platform, next steps and final Q&A (ThinkSport Team)
04
21 September - 5 October 2026
Workshops & mentoring
Build your solution with expert workshops and feedback from your mentor.
- Contact your assigned mentor for feedback and schedule a mentoring session.
- Both FEI Deep Dive sessions take place online on 29 September.
29 September · 14:00-15:00 CEST
FEI Deep Dive #1 · Fan Engagement
Explore the use case in greater depth and gather practical information to support your project. Recording available.
29 September · 15:30-16:30 CEST
FEI Deep Dive #2 · Technology and Fairness in Eventing
Explore the Eventing use case and gather further details to support the development of your solution. Recording available.
05
8 November 2026
Submission deadline
Submit your completed challenge entry on Agorize for the local selection phase.
- A maximum 5-slide proposal, plus title and closing slides.
- A demo video of up to 3 minutes, in MOV or MP4 format. For Use Case 1, the solution itself must be presented in 60 seconds or less. Teams may use the remaining time, up to 2 additional minutes, to explain the concept, key features, rationale, or how the solution was developed. If no additional explanation is included, the video should therefore be no longer than 60 seconds.
- A prototype is optional but encouraged.
06
9 - 15 November 2026
Local selection
Present locally and earn your place at the final.
- Universities may adapt the presentation date to their academic schedule.
- Teams pitch to their supervising professor or local judging panel.
- One team per challenge topic may be selected for the Final Pitching Day.
07
16 - 20 November 2026
Final preparation
Turn a strong concept into a clear, convincing final presentation.
- Refine the 5-slide proposal and the prototype, if available.
- Use mentor feedback to strengthen feasibility, value and delivery.
- Upload an updated version only if changes are needed; otherwise, your original submission will be used for the final.
08
27 November 2026 · 15:00-19:00 CET
Final Pitching Day
Pitch directly to an expert jury at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne.
- 5-minute pitch followed by a 5-minute Q&A.
- Participation is possible on site or online.
- Results are announced at the end of the event.
Your first submission
Show the idea.
Show the idea.
Prove the value.
Deadline: 8 November 2026.
01
5-slide proposal
Problem, solution, how it works, feasibility and expected impact. Title and closing slides do not count toward the limit.
02
3-minute video
Demonstrate the solution clearly in MOV or MP4 format. Videos exceeding three minutes are not accepted.
03
Prototype
Optional, but strongly encouraged. Use a mock-up, workflow, interface, overlay, card concept or practical example.
2027
What could come next
Testing phase · to be confirmed
Promising solutions may be considered for further exploration or testing with FEI after the challenge.