NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has unveiled the five companies selected for the fourth cohort of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to source, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies. These companies were chosen to align with the NBA’s objectives of advancing the game, expanding its business, and enhancing its impact on fans and communities. The cohort comprises innovators focused on engaging players and fans through cutting-edge technologies, platforms, and products.
“In welcoming the 2025 NBA Launchpad cohort, the league is taking steps toward materially impacting the future of fan engagement, the NBA’s environmental footprint, automated officiating, player health and wellbeing, and youth basketball development,” said Tom Ryan, NBA Senior Vice President and Head of Basketball Research and Development. “Partnering with this group of companies demonstrates our continued commitment to advancing the game and our fans’ experience with it.”
NBA Launchpad companies will participate in a six-month pilot, receiving hands-on support from the NBA and WNBA to further develop their technologies. At the end of the program, the cohort will present their innovations to NBA and WNBA executives, partners, and investors during Launchpad Demo Day at NBA 2K26 Summer League in July in Las Vegas.
The five companies in the 2025 NBA Launchpad cohort are:
- OneCourt (Seattle, Washington): Technology that translates gameplay into haptics and generative audio, providing real-time tactile broadcasts for fans who are Blind or Low Vision.
- Somnee (Berkeley, California): Clinical-grade sleep diagnostic and therapeutic headband using EEG+ and tACS neuromodulation to improve sleep onset, duration, depth, and quality.
- SportIQ (Los Angeles, California/Helsinki, Finland): Smart ball technology integrating AI, machine learning, and classical physics to transform sports performance and analytics.
- Trashie (New York, New York): Recycling and rewards platform promoting a circular economy by incentivizing consumers to reduce clothing waste.
- VReps (Seattle, Washington): Advanced education platform delivering personalized content to enhance basketball IQ and decision-making for players at all levels.
