BIHUB and Allianz launch Allianz Startup Challenge to foster innovation in sports performance

As further advances are made in fields such as genetics, nutrition, and biomechanics, and technologies such as virtual reality also continue to develop, athletes are able to do even more to hone their skills and surpass milestones that were unimaginable decades ago. That’s why the combination of science, technology and sport is here to stay, to help athletes optimise their performance.

It is within this scenario that the Barça Innovation Hub, FC Barcelona's innovation and sports knowledge platform and the insurance company Allianz, FC Barcelona's global partner, have joined forces to launch the Allianz Startup Challenge, a competition that is inviting entrepreneurs and business owners to present ideas and projects aimed at boosting athlete performance. The aim is to identify ideas that have a real impact and that incorporate innovation to ensure ongoing progress in this field.

The competition has been running since last Wednesday and until October 25 anyone interested is welcome to submit their proposals via the following link. Once this period expires, a jury made up of members of the Allianz and Barça Innovation Hub will review them all and choose six finalists, which will be asked to present their respective projects on November 8 as part of the Sports Tomorrow Congress (WOM+N) ²⁰²¹, which BIHUB organises to discuss innovation and which this year is especially focused on women's sport.

Once the bids have been evaluated, the winner will be announced, who will receive a cheque for 5,000 euros to promote and implement their project.

This programme run between BIHUB and Allianz is part of the extended partnership agreement whereby the insurance company has been a Global Partner of FC Barcelona since last July and which also foresees the launch of various other projects in strategic areas of the club, such as its Foundation, the Barça Academy and Barça Innovation Hub.