🚀 Challenge The Future of Play 2026
🚀 Challenge The Future of Play 2026
Transform the future of play for youth engagement! 🚀 Showcase your innovation and compete on the global stage. Apply now!
挑战赛即将启动!
Welcome to the Sport Innovation Challenge The Future Play
Is your startup BOLD enough to push past the boundaries of the status quo and drive innovation to create a brighter future?
ThinkSport, founded in 2015 by the International Olympic Committee and the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland
and Anthropy Partners, a venture and research network investing in human potential research and technology are jointly calling on startups worldwide between MVP and PoC to join this startup competition for a chance to inspire and disrupt the sports industry!
The finals will be at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne Switzerland on 5 May 2026. Win exclusive visibility with the IOC and Sports Federations, prizes including a cash of up to 10 000 CHF and strategic partnerships.
NEW: 5 of the 20 semi-finalists will have the opportunity to be selected for a 7-week acceleration program "Tech4Sport" at the heart of the Olympic Capital.
Your startup is developing disruptive technologies that can impact the sport industry worldwide and inspire the IOC and International Federations, then ThinkSport and Anthropy Partners want to hear from you!
Category Examples for Inspiration
Engagement
Applications and Technology That Will Increase Engagement in Youth Sports
Youth sports haven't changed in decades despite the world changing around them. We are looking for solutions that lead to more engaging play options for kids with the goal of enhancing child engagement in sports and free play.
Accessibility
Applications in AI, Data Science & Computer Vision That Make Youth Sports More Accessible for Kids and Parents
Data sets that drive decisions in youth sports are limited and data sets for female and under-represented youth are almost nonexistent. We are seeking solutions that can tap into existing data sources, create new ones, and / or layer leading tech on top of data sources to gain new and novel insights to develop tools for parents, kids and administrators.
Safety
Applications and Research That Make Youth Sports Safer So Kids Can Play More Often and Later in Life
Sport specialization at an early age and a lack of research into injuries in kids drives poor short and long term outcomes. Help us solve for this through innovations that address common and uncommon risks like TBI, joint injury, female health and youth development to shape safer youth sports engagement.
Here are some example categories to give you ideas and help you get started. Use them as inspiration when preparing your submissions!
Prizes
- 1st
- 2nd
- 3rd
1st
The Grand Winner will win:
- 10 000 CHF (Cash or In-kind)!
- A speaking opportunity at a panel at THE SPOT
- Develop long-term strategic partnerships with the sport ecosystem
- A priority access to Tech4Sport Accelerator in Switzerland
2nd
The 2nd place startup will win:
- 6 000 CHF (Cash or In-kind)
- Develop long-term strategic partnerships with the sport ecosystem
- A priority access to Tech4Sport Accelerator in Switzerland
3rd
The 3rd place startup will win:
- 4 000 CHF (Cash or In-kind)
- Develop long-term strategic partnerships with the sport ecosystem
- A priority access to Tech4Sport Accelerator in Switzerland
Final Event
The Final will be held on-site on 5 May at THE SPOT in Lausanne (CH). The top 5 finalists will have an unique opportunity to pitch in front of the key decision makers of the sport industry, as well as a selected jury.
The results will then be announced at the end of the Final event!