๐ Gen-next Challenge 2026
๐ Gen-next Challenge 2026
The FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge invites post-secondary students to develop bold, practical solutions that can help shape the future of equestrian sport, with a focus on fan engagement, technology, fairness, and the next generation of sports innovation.
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FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge 2026
Awards & recognition
Prizes that move
ideas forward.
From FEI event experiences and official merchandise to tailored mentoring and potential proof-of-concept development.
1stFEI event experience
2ndFEI merchandise
AllMentoring & potential PoC
1st
First Prize · winning team in each use case
Experience a major FEI event
Each winning team receives an invitation to the event connected to its use case.
7–10 January 2027
FEI Jumping World Cup™
Basel, Switzerland
September 2027
FEI Eventing European Championships
Avenches, Switzerland
CHF 250 per winning team memberContribution toward accommodation and travel expenses.
2nd
Second Prize
Official FEI merchandise
The second-place team from each use case will receive a selection of official FEI-branded merchandise in recognition of their contribution to the challenge.
All
For participating teams
Mentoring & potential PoC development
All participating teams will have access to dedicated mentoring during the challenge, with support tailored to their idea and development needs.
Following the final evaluation, solutions that demonstrate strong relevance and implementation feasibility may also be considered for additional support and potential development into a proof of concept (PoC).
Any follow-up beyond the challenge will depend on feasibility, available resources and further validation with FEI and ThinkSport.
Good to know
Further details on event access and merchandise will be communicated to the relevant teams. Potential post-challenge support is subject to further assessment and validation.
FEI Gen-next Sport Innovation Challenge 2026
From registration
to the final pitch.
Follow the complete journey, know what happens at each stage and stay ahead of every key deadline.
3-5students per team
2FEI challenge topics
ENsubmission language
27 NovFinal at FEI Headquarters
Challenge roadmap
Seven steps. One clear journey.
Each phase has one purpose: help your team move from a real sport challenge to a solution that is clear, feasible and ready to pitch.
01
1 June - 31 August 2026
University confirmation
Academic partners confirm their participation with ThinkSport.
- Universities contact the organisers and complete the participation agreement.
- Confirmation deadline: 31 August at 12:00 Central European time.
02
1 - 30 September 2026
Student registration
Students create their profiles and form their teams on Agorize.
- Create a team of 3 to 5 students and select one challenge topic.
- Use the format UniversityName_TeamName for the team name.
- Register before the kick-off whenever possible.
03
15 September 2026 · 15:00-17:00
Kick-off event
Meet the organisers, understand the two FEI topics and start with clarity.
- The live session covers the challenge, deliverables, judging criteria and next steps.
- Attendance is strongly recommended; a recording will be available.
- Professors are welcome to join.
04
21 September - 9 November 2026
Develop, learn & submit
Build your solution with expert workshops and feedback from your mentor.
- Two FEI deep-dive workshops take place between 21 September and 5 October.
- During the mentoring phase, contact your assigned mentor for support and schedule a call.
- Submit a maximum 5-slide proposal, plus title and closing slides.
- Add a 3-minute demo video; a prototype is recommended but optional.
- Submission deadline: 9 November at 23:55 Central European time.
05
9 - 15 November 2026
Local selection
Present locally and earn your place at the final.
- Universities may adapt the presentation date to their academic schedule.
- Teams pitch to their supervising professor or local judging panel.
- One team per challenge topic may be selected for the Final Pitching Day.
06
16 - 20 November 2026
Final preparation
Turn a strong concept into a clear, convincing final presentation.
- Refine the 5-slide proposal and the prototype, if available.
- Use mentor feedback to strengthen feasibility, value and delivery.
- Submit the final version by 20 November.
07
27 November 2026 · 15:00-19:00
Final Pitching Day
Pitch directly to an expert jury at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne.
- 5-minute pitch followed by a 5-minute Q&A.
- Participation is possible on site or online.
- Results are announced at the end of the event.
Your first submission
Show the idea.
Show the idea.
Prove the value.
Deadline: 9 November 2026 at 23:55 Central European time.
01
5-slide proposal
Problem, solution, how it works, feasibility and expected impact. Title and closing slides do not count toward the limit.
02
3-minute video
Demonstrate the solution clearly in MOV or MP4 format. Videos exceeding three minutes are not accepted.
03
Prototype
Optional, but strongly encouraged. Use a mock-up, workflow, interface, overlay, card concept or practical example.
2027
What could come next
Testing phase · to be confirmed
Promising solutions may be considered for further exploration or testing with FEI after the challenge.