Nba, five start-ups chosen to innovate basketball
The companies will now participate in a six-month programme and then could see the League's investment in their capital, as has happened in the past
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Key points
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The next LeBron James could be scouted by an app, scouts beware. Just as advanced sensors in trainers with insights based on artificial intelligence will teach the perfect jump shot. Sport is moving closer and closer to technological innovation to forge alliances that will bring the game to another level, and the Nba wants to lead this change. It does so through the Nba Launchpad project, which identifies and tests emerging technologies that can bring innovation to the world of basketball.
The five start-ups of 2024
.Now in its third year, the programme gives selected companies the opportunity to partner with the NBA for the next six months and have access to its resources in order to develop their innovative idea or adapt it to the world of basketball. "Nba Launchpad continues to support cutting-edge technology start-ups to stay at the forefront of basketball innovation," said Tom Ryan, NBA Vice President of Basketball Strategy, continuing, "Partnering with these talented entrepreneurs is inspiring in our approach and has the potential to revolutionise the game."
International scouting brought to the final stage of the project 3 companies focused on improving the game and 2 others focused on enriching the fan experience. The first group includes the US-based Reboot Motion (Los Angeles), which has developed a motion analysis platform that helps large organisations excel in biomechanics on a large scale; the Danish Tonsser (Copenhagen) known to the market for its app for young football talent athletes, which allows them to monitor performance, improve skills, compare and compete with peers and access opportunities;
Canadian Plantiga (Vancouver), which develops advanced sensors inside the shoe with artificial intelligence-based insights that track load, performance and asymmetries step-by-step during training and competition. Companies focused on optimising the fan experience included the US-based TextQL (New York), which developed an artificial intelligence-based platform that helps non-technical users autonomously obtain real-time information for data-driven decisions; and the UK-based Dimension Studio (London), a real-time 3D production studio and platform for virtual worlds, virtual human figures and virtual sports.
"Partnering with Nba Launchpad companies gives us the opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to enhance the fan experience and engagement," said Jason Bieber, Nba Vice President of New Business Ventures, concluding, "This year's group of pioneering companies gives us yet another opportunity to put our fans at the centre of everything we do."
At the conclusion of the programme, Nba Launchpad companies will present their projects to Nba executives, strategic partners and investors at a Demo Day to be held during the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas in July.
