BT Sport has launched Innovate 21, a competition seeking ideas for new sports broadcast experiences from entrepreneurs, creatives and start-ups. The competition will provide one lucky winner with the opportunity to be at the heart of BT Sport’s industry leading innovation.
With entries open from today, Innovate 21 invites submissions for innovations spanning the entire sports broadcast chain, from production at events through to the viewer at home. BT Sport is looking to uncover exciting ideas from across the UK, with the winner receiving a potential six-figure opportunity to work with BT to develop their idea, technology or service for future use and could even see it become available to all BT Sport customers. They will also receive BT Group mobile and/or broadband connectivity for a period of 12 months at no cost.
The competition is backed by BT Sport presenters Brian O’Driscoll, Suzi Perry and Robbie Savage who will be part of a panel of experts in September at a special event to select the winning innovation, led by Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport. Those involved in identifying both a shortlist and winner include journalist and technology expert Lucy Hedges, Matt Stagg, director of mobile strategy, BT Sport, Christian Thrane, managing director, marketing, for BT’s consumer division and Andrew Mensah, leading social media influencer and presenter of BT Sport programming including What I Wore.
Following the deadline for entries on 31 July, finalists will be invited to present their proposals to the panel at the BT Sport studios in East London in September, before a winner is selected. The finalists will also have access to Marc Allera, CEO, BT’s consumer division, for a unique chance to gain insight into innovation and technology from one of the leading FTSE 100 chief executives in the country.
Marc Allera, CEO, BT’s consumer division, said:
“Delivering world class customer experiences is one of BT’s core objectives. Innovate 21 from BT Sport is a rare and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to join that effort but also to gain access to BT’s renowned expertise and leadership around technology, products and innovation.”
Entrants are encouraged to submit proposals in areas including, but not limited to, the Matchday Experience offering on the BT Sport App, ideas which have a strong sustainability, inclusivity or accessibility focus and ideas which enhance the live sports experience.
How to enter Innovate 21
Entrants are encouraged to submit proposals in areas including, but not limited to, the Matchday Experience offering on the BT Sport app, ideas which have a strong sustainability, inclusivity or accessibility focus and ideas which enhance the live sports experience.
Entries must be made by sending an email to innovate21@bt.com with the following information by or before midnight on 31 July 2021:
- A copy of a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement, the terms of which can be accessed here.
- A minimum 500-word summary of the idea.
- Information on possible use cases for the idea.
- Detail of any recent/past deployments of the idea.
- Indication of budget and timeline required to bring idea to life.
- An outline of the Entrant’s diversity and inclusivity policy and how this will come to life should they get the opportunity to work with the Promoter.
- Proof that the entrant is submitting an entry in their capacity as part of a commercial organization that is no bigger than a small-to-medium-sized business as defined by the Companies Act 2006 and that the individual entering the Competition is a Director of the Company. Entrants must provide the registered Company number along with its last set of public accounts.
Jamie Hindhaugh, chief operating officer, BT Sport, said:
“BT is offering entrepreneurs the chance to join BT Sport’s industry-leading pursuit of providing the ultimate sports viewing experiences to customers. We are proud to have continually given our customers even more ways to watch and experience sport in recent years and Innovate 21 looks set to raise the bar even further for what BT Sport’s customers can enjoy.”
