From wearables to VR, there’s a wide range of new tech that can help athletes step up their game.
But unless they’re plugged in, players may not know about it.
Enter NBA Launchpad — a startup incubator investing in next-gen tech for the basketball community.
What kind of tech?
Not the three-point-shot-sinking Japanese robot kind. Instead, Launchpad looks at startups in four areas: injury prevention, youth player performance, mental health, and referee training (yes, please).
Here’s how it works:
- Startups apply in one of those categories.
- The NBA holds a “selection day” (think “Shark Tank,” but NBA).
- Finalists run a six-month pilot with the NBA’s resources at their disposal.
This year’s finalists include an adaptive ankle brace, a VR training platform, and a breathwork app.
The NBA’s goal…
… is to eventually offer these products to players and refs to improve performance and quality of play.
Some teams — ahem, the Knicks — may need them more than others.
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