Advanced startups
Companies with a validated solution and the capacity to move beyond an early concept.
Community Builders Sport Innovation Challenge
Community Builders Sport Innovation Challenge
Creating a sport community where every young athlete feels supported, included and inspired.
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Global call for innovative solutions
Sport Innovation Challenge Jumpstart
Help create a sport community where every young athlete feels supported, included and able to see themselves in the game.
Global Open call for organisations from around the world
Canada Final event and connection to the Canadian sport ecosystem
Real-world Potential testing with youth, families and sport communities
A joint initiative
Connecting global innovation with youth sport in Canada
ThinkSport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities are bringing together innovators, sport experts and local communities to identify solutions that can strengthen young people’s experience in sport.
ThinkSport
Based in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, ThinkSport connects sport organisations, academia, businesses, public institutions and innovators to develop impactful solutions for sport.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Jumpstart helps enrich the lives of children in need through sport and physical activity, working toward a Canada where every child has the chance to fulfil their dreams.
Why this matters
Belonging can determine whether a child stays in sport
Young athletes thrive when coaches, parents, teammates and role models create an environment where they feel welcome, confident and supported.
18%
of young people say “I’m not good enough” is a reason they do not play sport.
21%
of parents hesitate to enrol a child because of concerns about inclusion.
93%
of parents say sport builds confidence and empowerment.
36%
of young people say sport gave them more belief in themselves.
“When I joined a new team I felt very out of place…there wasn’t many people who looked like me who play that sport.”
“It can be hard to believe in yourself/be confident when you feel alone in your experience.”
Source: Jumpstart, State of Youth Sport in Canada 2025, and the July 2026 youth sport workshop.
The challenge
A stronger community around every young athlete
How might we build a sport community so supportive that every young athlete feels they truly belong and can see themselves in the game?
01
Supportive coaching
Tools and approaches that help coaches create positive, inclusive environments.
02
Parents and families
Solutions that help families support participation, confidence and healthy development.
03
Peer connection
Experiences that strengthen team relationships, mutual support and a sense of belonging.
04
Relatable role models
Ways for young athletes to see and connect with people whose journeys reflect their own.
Who can apply?
Established innovators ready to collaborate
The challenge welcomes organisations from around the world with an existing solution that can be adapted, validated or scaled within youth sport.
- An existing product, service or programme with demonstrated maturity
- A clear link to sport, physical activity, youth development or community support
- The capacity to collaborate with Jumpstart and Canadian stakeholders
- Readiness to test, learn and measure the solution’s impact
Scale-ups
Growing companies seeking a new market, partner network or real-world validation opportunity.
Small and medium enterprises
Established organisations with relevant technology, services or operational expertise.
Large companies
Corporate innovation teams ready to apply existing capabilities to a youth sport challenge.
Programme journey
From global call to collaboration and testing in Canada
Selected organisations will move through expert evaluation, a final event and potential opportunities to develop and test their solutions with the Canadian ecosystem.
Global call
Applications open to advanced startups, scale-ups, SMEs and large companies.
Expert evaluation
Sport and business experts assess the relevance, maturity, impact and potential of each solution.
Finalists announced
Selected organisations prepare for the next stage with ThinkSport and Jumpstart.
Final event in Canada
Finalists present their solutions to decision-makers and experts from the sport ecosystem.
Develop, test and showcase
Selected solutions may join an on-site development experience and pursue testing or showcasing opportunities.
Why participate?
A route to meaningful collaboration and real-world impact
Sport and business feedback
Present your solution to experts who understand innovation, community sport and implementation.
Connections in Canada
Build connections with Jumpstart, sport stakeholders and organisations supporting youth participation.
Five-day collaboration experience
Selected participants may join a potential five-day on-site collaboration experience focused on project development and partnerships.
Potential real-world testing
Explore how your solution could be potentially tested with relevant users, communities and sport environments.
International exposure
Gain visibility through the Jumpstart and ThinkSport networks and future showcasing opportunities.
A stronger experience for young athletes
An opportunity to help create practical solutions that support confidence, inclusion and long-term participation in sport.
Built from lived experience
The challenge began by listening
In July 2026, young women athletes shared their experiences across themes including cost, time, confidence, accessibility, community roots and the changes they would most like to see.
Their stories, combined with Jumpstart’s national research, shaped the focus of this innovation challenge.
What is unique about this initiative is that girls and young women are being empowered as the leaders and key decision makers, actively involved in the development and implementation of the Challenge.
Every young athlete should feel that there is a place for them in sport.
Could your solution help more young people belong in sport?
Bring your experience, technology or service to a challenge connecting global innovation with youth sport communities in Canada.