The chosen companies aim to engage players, fans, and stakeholders through innovative technologies, platforms, and products. Tom Ryan, NBA Senior Vice President and Head of Basketball Research and Development, expressed pride in the progress of the Launchpad platform and excitement about collaborating with the new cohort.
“As we enter the fifth year of Launchpad by welcoming the 2026 NBA cohort, we’re proud of the meaningful progress the platform has made toward shaping the future of the game. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with this diverse group of companies to build on that progress and to further drive innovation to elevate the sport and the experience of our global fanbase,” Ryan stated.
The cohort will participate in a six-month pilot program featuring hands-on collaboration and support from both the NBA and WNBA. The program is set to conclude with a Launchpad Demo Day at the 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. During this event, cohort members will present their solutions to NBA and WNBA executives, partners, and investors.
The five companies in the 2026 cohort include Atlas, CRED, Diddo, Peripheral Labs, and Swish Basket. Atlas, based in San Francisco, specialises in brain-sensing wearable technology designed to enhance cognitive clarity. CRED, also from San Francisco, offers a predictive intelligence platform aimed at sponsorship lead-generation.
Diddo, located in Los Angeles, provides an API for integrating shoppable moments within media platforms, while Peripheral Labs, based in Toronto, focuses on using autonomous vehicle technology to create 3D environments and track players and balls in sports. Lastly, Swish Basket, from Tel Aviv, is an AI-powered basketball training and gaming platform that connects real-world courts to a digital ecosystem.
The NBA Launchpad initiative continues to foster innovation within the basketball industry, providing a platform for emerging technologies to be tested and refined with the support of the NBA and WNBA. The 2026 cohort’s participation in the program underscores the NBA’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the sport and its global appeal.