SportsInnovation
Startup Award
SportsInnovation
Startup Award
SportsInnovation
Startup Award
The Startup Award is part of SportsInnovation 2026 and is aimed at young, innovative, and disruptive startups in the fields of sports, media, and technology.
Participating startups will have the opportunity to present their solutions to SportsInnovation, its partners, and attendees. In addition, the award provides access to valuable connections with investors, clubs, associations, and key decision-makers from the sports and media industries.
The Startup Award is part of SportsInnovation 2026 and is aimed at young, innovative, and disruptive startups in the fields of sports, media, and technology.
Participating startups will have the opportunity to present their solutions to SportsInnovation, its partners, and attendees. In addition, the award provides access to valuable connections with investors, clubs, associations, and key decision-makers from the sports and media industries.
AWARDED BY:
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application
Preselection
Final at SI26
Startups can apply for the Startup Award until January 15, 2026. Applications are submitted via the registration form, where relevant company information must be provided and a pitch deck uploaded.
Once the application has been submitted, our strategic partner Transform Sports, together with an Advisory Board, will make a preselection. The three highest-rated projects will be chosen as finalists and announced thereafter.
The finalists will be invited to present their projects live and in person at SportsInnovation 2026 on March 4–5.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application
Preselection
Final at SI26
Startups can apply for the Startup Award until January 15, 2026. Applications are submitted via the registration form, where relevant company information must be provided and a pitch deck uploaded.
Once the application has been submitted, our strategic partner Transform Sports, together with an Advisory Board, will make a preselection. The three highest-rated projects will be chosen as finalists and announced thereafter.
The finalists will be invited to present their projects live and in person at SportsInnovation 2026 on March 4–5.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application
Startups can apply for the Startup Award until January 15, 2026. Applications are submitted via the registration form, where relevant company information must be provided and a pitch deck uploaded.
Preselection
Once the application has been submitted, our strategic partner Transform Sports, together with an Advisory Board, will make a preselection. The three highest-rated projects will be chosen as finalists and announced thereafter.
Final at SI26
The finalists will be invited to present their projects live and in person at SportsInnovation 2026 on March 4–5.
KEY BENEFITS
Branding & Activation
Exhibition
Networking & Lead-Generation
Presentation of all participating startups and their logos across all official communication channels
Inclusion of the logo in the official Innovation Report
Placement of the logo on the event website
Dedicated startup area at the SportsInnovation
Exclusive invitation to the SportsInnovation kick-off event for startups
Full access to the event's networking app and its participants
Two tickets for SI26
Participation fee: 2.750€ (plus VAT)
KEY BENEFITS
KEY BENEFITS
Branding & Activation
Presentation of all participating startups and their logos across all official communication channels
Inclusion of the logo in the official Innovation Report
Placement of the logo on the event website
Exhibition
Dedicated startup area at the SportsInnovation
Networking & Lead-Generation
Exclusive invitation to the SportsInnovation kick-off event for startups
Full access to the event's networking app and its participants
Two tickets for SI26
Participation fee: 2.750€
APPLICATION DEADLINE
APPLICATION DEADLINE
STARTUP AWARD PRIZE
-
Prominent stage presence at SportsInnovation 2026
-
Access to key decision-makers from the DFL and their partners in sports and media
-
Complimentary startup networking with the German-speaking market, provided by Transform Sports
-
25.000 £ Media value by SportsPro, including content & thought leadership, brand advertising & attendance at a selected SportsPro event
-
Cash prize of 5.000 €
To be eligible to participate, startups must meet the following criteria:
-
The product or solution targets sports organizations in the areas of fan experience, stadium technology, broadcasting, content, or sports performance.
-
A functional and validated Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is available.
-
A committed team with international ambitions – applications from around the world are explicitly welcome.
-
Physical attendance at the finale on March 4–5, 2026 in Düsseldorf is required.
REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate, startups must meet the following criteria:
-
The product or solution targets sports organizations in the areas of fan experience, stadium technology, broadcasting, content, or sports performance.
-
A functional and validated Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is available.
-
A committed team with international ambitions – applications from around the world are explicitly welcome.
-
Physical attendance at the finale on March 4–5, 2026 in Düsseldorf is required.
REQUIREMENTS
STARTUP AWARD PRIZE
-
Prominent stage presence at SportsInnovation 2026
-
Access to key decision-makers from the DFL and their partners in sports and media
-
Complimentary startup networking with the German-speaking market, provided by Transform Sports
-
25.000 £ Media value by SportsPro, including content & thought leadership, brand advertising & attendance at a selected SportsPro event
-
Cash prize of 5.000 €
REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate, startups must meet the following criteria:
-
The product or solution targets sports organizations in the areas of fan experience, stadium technology, broadcasting, content, or sports performance.
-
A functional and validated Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is available.
-
A committed team with international ambitions – applications from around the world are explicitly welcome.
-
Physical attendance at the finale on March 4–5, 2026 in Düsseldorf is required.
REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to participate, startups must meet the following criteria:
-
The product or solution targets sports organizations in the areas of fan experience, stadium technology, broadcasting, content, or sports performance.
-
A functional and validated Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is available.
-
A committed team with international ambitions – applications from around the world are explicitly welcome.
-
Physical attendance at the finale on March 4–5, 2026 in Düsseldorf is required.
QUESTIONS ABOUT STARTUP AWARD?
If you have any questions about the Award or SportsInnovation, please contact us via the contact form.
PARTICIPATING STARTUPS:
PARTICIPATING STARTUPS:
