The Game
We continue to invest in technology that advances our on-court and off-court officiating priorities. On the court, there is an opportunity to use technology to support more accurate and efficient call determinations. Off the court, there is an opportunity to strengthen how referees at all levels are trained, evaluated, and developed.
We’re especially interested in companies focused on:
Camera stack providers offering innovative solutions that reduce total hardware footprint while maintaining resolution and calibration across in-game action
Video compression technologies built for transport and machine learning workflows, enabling faster real-time writes and reduced costs across large volumes of game footage
3D visualization and replay integration technologies, spanning near real-time player representations for automated officiating and higher-fidelity 3D reconstructions for enhanced instant replay and fan engagement
Audio-based tools that support referee communications and on-court interactions
Cognitive and sensory training tools that support referee readiness, reaction time, and decision-making performance
Basketball’s next generation of talent and fans exists well beyond the countries where the NBA has an on-the-ground presence. We are seeking technology solutions that connect programs across borders and support player and coaching development worldwide.
We’re especially interested in companies focused on:
Cross-border connection: Platforms that connect basketball programs, coaches, or referees across countries and regions – enabling communication, competition, and shared development around the world
Holistic athlete development: Platforms that help young athletes build off-court skills, including financial literacy, healthy habits, and digital citizenship
Youth participation infrastructure: Digital tools that make it easier for young players to find courts, teammates, equipment, and training
Coaching development: AI-powered and interactive tools that support youth basketball coaches and referees through personalized instruction, scenario-based simulation, and real-time performance feedback
Fundamental movement skills: Digital tools that help young athletes build the foundational movement skills (e.g., agility, balance, coordination) they need to become dynamic basketball players, tailored to their stage of physical development
The NBA and WNBA are committed to the physical health, mental health, and wellbeing of basketball players across all levels through an approach that includes clinical care, policymaking, education, and related programs focused on innovation and research. Strides continue to be made in athlete performance research and operations, including expanding wearable technology use across the WNBA. We are seeking technologies, notably those that leverage AI and computer vision, that can help identify and mitigate injury risk, improve diagnosis and treatment, accelerate recovery, and reduce re-injury.
We’re especially interested in companies focused on:
Lower extremity health: Technologies that support prevention and rehabilitation of some of the most impactful injuries in basketball (e.g., ACL injuries, ankle sprains, lower extremity strains, tendinopathies) and individualized injury prevention through foot and ankle biomechanics
Cognitive and sensory performance: Training tools that enhance decision-making, reaction time, and visual processing for athletes and staff
Nutrition and metabolic health: Tools that advance nutritional optimization including carbohydrate periodization, hydration, workload-based fueling, substrate-use education, and gut-health tracking
Health and performance analytics insights: Technologies that leverage advanced analytics to develop personalized care plans, optimize sleep and recovery, or enhance decision-making for athletes and staff
Female-athlete health: Solutions tailored to the unique health and performance needs of female athletes, including injury risk mitigation and recovery, menstrual-cycle health, and pregnancy and postpartum support – with a particular emphasis on supporting WNBA players throughout their careers
The Business
As the media landscape and fan expectations evolve, the NBA is looking for solutions to better reach fans where they are and unlock innovative new opportunities across the media ecosystem.
We’re especially interested in companies focused on:
New media formats, products, platforms, AI tools, and immersive technologies (e.g., AR, VR, XR, volumetric video, intersection of media/gaming) that bring the NBA to life in new dimensions and formats
Content creation and management tools that improve production, enhancement, enrichment, localization, search, and collaboration
Media infrastructure and operations solutions that improve the capture, quality, observability, storage, and secure global distribution of live and on-demand content at scale
Tools that help fans easily discover, explore, and engage with NBA content, moments, stories, and statistics across live games and historical archives
Data and intelligence tools that strengthen sponsorship, advertising, media rights, and other commercial operations through better analytics, valuation, forecasting, measurement, or workflow automation
AI tools that can automate game footage analysis, including the identification of third-party rights issues (e.g., music) and potential brand issues (e.g., profanity)
The NBA is seeking to collaborate with companies that help us understand and engage with our current and future fans, deepen our connection with our global audience, and make NBA experiences more inclusive and accessible.
We’re especially interested in companies focused on:
AI-enabled fan data, identity and loyalty tools that improve audience understanding, personalization, and long-term fan engagement, particularly with Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans
Ticketing, access, hospitality, and venue technologies that improve the game-day experience, across pricing, inventory & ticket management, authentication, and entry
Commerce and merchandise solutions that connect fans with the NBA through social, creator, and lifestyle channels, or that improve product authentication, counterfeit prevention, inventory, fulfillment, returns, and resale
Inclusive, localized, and community-driven technologies and models – including assistive and adaptive tools – that strengthen real-world fan connections beyond NBA games and events
Asia
As technology creates new ways to expand participation, deepen fan engagement, and enhance sports content across Asia, the NBA is seeking Asia-based technology-enabled startups that can make basketball experiences and content more accessible, personalized, efficient, and scalable.
We're interested in companies aligned with our existing Priority Areas across The Game and The Business, as well as those addressing specific opportunities in the Asia region.
Please note that eligibility is limited to companies headquartered in Asia, Australia, or New Zealand.
Open Category
For companies and entrepreneurs outside of the priority areas who want to be considered for this year’s NBA Launchpad program.