Sport Singapore & GSIC Launch Sports Tech Innovation Competition

December 9, 2022 

Sport Singapore and the Global Sports Innovation Centre (GSIC) - a Microsoft-backed technology network - have launched a sports technology competition in Singapore, reported to be one of the largest open innovation projects ever in the Asia Pacific region. The challenge intends to amass solutions to the real-world challenges faced by international sports organizations across fan engagement, smart venues, athlete performance, sustainability and 'sport for good’. 

20 organizations contributed problem statements for the inaugural International Sports Groundbreakers Challenge, which start-ups and innovators are be invited to solve. The 35 statements cover a range of sports across the five categories submitted by private businesses, sports academies and national sports associations in Singapore and overseas. They include requests for help in areas such as: 

• Making cricket more inclusive and diverse and attracting more kids
• Producing a paperless system to identify and track runners at mass participation events
• Improving stadium operations and enhancing the fan experience at all stages of events 
• Scaling capacities that empower people to track their own fitness, health and movment metrics
• Automating the collection of statistics in mixed martial arts 
• Producing a low-cost, portable ring for combat sports training 

Entrants from around the world are invited to propose technological solutions by January 23, 2023 with the winners of the first challenge to be announced in April 2023.  

“One of GSIC’s main goals has always been to provide access to innovative digital solutions for the regions sports entities through a robust partner...This will be an invaluable opportunity for our members to showcase their technological solutions and expand the organization’s footprint beyond their home base,” said GSIC President Sebastian Lancestremere. 

The Challenge is offering an SDG$15,000 prize for up to ten winning participants who are either Singapore-based or are willing to relocate to the city. Winners will also get support from Microsoft, mentoring and PR and marketing opportunities, the chance to pilot their solutions and the possibility of showcasing their solution in the GSIC experience center in Singapore and Madrid. 

If you’re a sports entity with a problem statement, you can share it with the challenge through the website. If you’re a company with solutions to up to three of the problem statements, you can submit your proposal here.