NBA Launchpad seeking innovation submissions for 2nd season following successful inaugural campaign
NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the second installment of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to research, evaluate and pilot emerging technologies that advance key NBA priorities on and off the court. . Given the platform’s success in advancing key basketball priorities in its inaugural year, the 2023 NBA Launchpad expands to identify emerging fan experiences at home and in the arenas of the NBA.
Starting today, companies and entrepreneurs can apply to NBA Launchpad by submitting innovations that address one of six priority areas:
• Basketball: Soft Tissue Injury Prevention and Recovery, Healthy Playing Habits in Youth Basketball, Game Disruption (Open Category)
• Fan experience: Game production and viewing experience, in-seat experience, sports betting experience
Following a rigorous evaluation process, selected candidates will participate in a six-month R&D project within the NBA ecosystem. As part of NBA Launchpad, businesses and entrepreneurs will have access to NBA resources, hands-on support, and other unique incentives to develop future technologies. At the end of the program, Launchpad companies will pitch to NBA executives, strategic partners and investors at the NBA Summer League Demo Day.
Description of the 2023 priority areas:
Advancing Basketball
Prevention and Recovery of Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries account for more than 50% of all missed-game injuries among NBA players and can impair performance, limit playing time and disrupt a career. The NBA is looking for solutions that improve how we manage soft tissue injury risk and recovery. Technologies that predict, prevent or rehabilitate soft tissue injuries will keep our players on the court and encourage them to play with a lower risk of injury.
Healthy playing habits in youth basketball
To promote a healthy and positive basketball experience for youth, the NBA and USA Basketball Youth Guidelines provide age-appropriate recommendations for youth participation in basketball that: (a) provide sufficient time for rest and recovery, (b) encourage organized and peer-directed play (eg, pick-ups), and (c) reduce cumulative high-density competition. These standards are based on expert consensus and research aimed at reducing the risk of injury while promoting skill development and long-term success in basketball.
To promote healthy playing habits that will lead to longer, more productive careers for our future stars, the NBA is researching technologies that help core players and coaches better understand and manage their participation, with a focus on solutions that support the fundamental principles of youth. Guidelines.
Disrupt the Game (Open Category)
To continue innovating in the sport, the NBA seeks to identify world-class companies that are disrupting priority areas of basketball, including player development, talent discovery, officiating, and health and wellness. players.
Improve the fan experience
Game production and viewing experience
As the media consumption landscape continues to evolve, the NBA seeks to continue to innovate in the way the game of basketball is produced, distributed and experienced. Technologies that create new models for game production and distribution or introduce new forms of game viewing will enable continued game innovation and improve television programming for NBA fans around the world.
Siege experience
A fan’s seat is their home in our arena, and every moment of their journey is an opportunity to deepen their fandom. To keep fans engaged and immersed in the game, the NBA seeks technologies that engage fans directly from their seats to create interactive business solutions and fan activations to enhance the game day experience.
Sports betting experience
Sports betting is growing in popularity as more states legalize across the country, but state-by-state rollout has stifled product innovation. We research technologies that make the live game betting experience more engaging, intuitive and enjoyable for our fans. Potential areas of interest include, but are not limited to, (a) dynamic “microbetting” opportunities, (b) interactive products allowing fans to suggest what they want to bet, and (c) overlays digital live games to access betting accounts. Sportradar, the official partner of the NBA, will join the advisory board and help evaluate the technologies.
For more information about the program and to apply for the 2023 cohort, please visit the NBA Launchpad website or email [email protected].
