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NBA Launchpad Selects Five Emerging Technology Companies

NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the five companies that will make up the fourth cohort of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to source, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies.  The five companies were selected based on the NBA’s goals of advancing the game, growing the league’s business, and enhancing its impact on fans and communities. The group features companies that are focused on engaging players and fans through innovative new 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.”

As members of the cohort, NBA Launchpad companies will participate in a six-month pilot that includes access to hands-on support from the NBA and WNBA to further develop their technologies.  At the conclusion of the program, companies in the cohort will present 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 that comprise the 2025 cohort of the NBA Launchpad program are outlined below. 

• OneCourt (Seattle, WA): Technology that translates gameplay into haptics and generative audio, giving fans who are Blind or Low Vision access to a real-time tactile broadcast.

• Somnee (Berkley, CA): Clinical-grade sleep diagnostic and therapeutic headband that uses EEG+ and tACS neuromodulation to help improve sleep onset, duration, depth, and quality.

• SportIQ (Los Angeles, CA/Helsinki, Finland): Smart ball technology that integrates AI, machine learning and classical physics to transform sports performance and analytics.

• Trashie (New York, NY): Recycling and rewards platform powering a circular economy by incentivizing consumers to reduce clothing waste.

• VReps (Seattle, WA): Advanced education platform that delivers personalized content to improve basketball IQ and decision-making for players at every level.

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