For the last few weeks Tech developers have been submitting their entries for an amazing opportunity – the chance to work with the country’s leading sports industry brands in a new competition launched by IC Tomorrow, part of the Technology Strategy Board, the UK’s innovation agency.

It’s an exciting opportunity for anyone who has a startup looking to disrupt this space, or for that matter for anyone who has an idea.  It doesn’t even have to be a product at this stage, it can be your thoughts down on paper.

There are five different challenges, with a major sports organisation partnering each – Legacy 2014 Commonwealth Games; the Jockey Club with support from Channel 4; Loughborough University; UK Sport; and BT Sport.

The Digital Innovation Contest – Sport will also award contracts totalling £125,000 to the winners. By linking the brightest young businesses with established players, the competition encourages innovation in the sector and offers smaller businesses the opportunity to expand into new areas.

• one award of up to £25,000* for the development of a prototype service or application in the ‘sports appreciation and understanding’ challenge area supported by the The Jockey Club and Channel 4. Read more.
• one award of up to £25,000* for the development of a prototype service or application in the ‘engaging the live stadium audience’ challenge area supported by Legacy 2014 Commonwealth Games. Read more. 
• one award of up to £25,000* for the development of a prototype service or application in the ‘driving in-play viewer engagement’ challenge area supported by BT Sport. Read more.
• one award of up to £25,000* for the development of a prototype service or application in the ‘personalising sport performance’ challenge area supported by Loughborough University. Read more. 
• one award of up to £25,000* for the development of a prototype service or application in the ‘tracking athlete health’ challenge area supported by UK Sport. Read more. 

The contest is open until 14th August, when initial applications need to be made (you can do that here) and produce a 2 minute YouTube video about your proposal.  The finalists will then be notified by the 2nd September and invited to pitch to an expert panel in London on 11th September.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/hO9nL_6PKW8[/youtube]

It’s a fantastic idea and in an area that is close to my heart.  I know of many start-ups that are looking at this space, trying to break into the big time with companies such as those mentioned.  This is ideal opportunity to make those ideas into a reality and work with some of the best people in the country.

The Scottish Government’s Commonwealth Games and Sports Minister, Shona Robison, commented:

“The Digital Innovation Contest will showcase the wealth of talent, creativity and innovation, For businesses that seize the opportunities which the Games and every large-scale event can offer, the sky is the limit.”

Scott Bowers, Group Director of Communications, The Jockey Club, said:

“We’re looking for innovation to make it easier for people to understand and enjoy horseracing as an incredible sport, not just a great day out.”

IC tomorrow Programme Manager Matt Sansam added:

“The winners of this competition will work with – and benefit from – the experience of some of the UK’s most established sporting brands, such as Channel 4 and BT Sport. Proposals must have commercial potential and address one of the five contest challenges. It’s not necessary to have an existing app or service – or even to be active in the sports industry yet.”