NBA Opens Startup Program to Asia's Growing Tech Scene

The NBA just made it easier for Asian tech entrepreneurs to shoot their shot at the big leagues.

The basketball giant announced at the NBA x Citi Investor Summit 2026 in Singapore that it's expanding Launchpad, its competitive startup accelerator program, to include companies from across Asia. It's the first time the program has looked beyond North America and Europe since launching five years ago.

Launchpad isn't just another startup competition. Each year, the program selects just five or six companies from hundreds of applicants to work directly with NBA properties on real pilot projects. These partnerships give startups the chance to test their innovations with one of the world's most recognized sports brands.

The expansion reflects Asia's explosive growth as a tech powerhouse. From Singapore to Seoul, Bangalore to Beijing, the continent has become home to some of the world's most creative problem solvers and innovative companies.

The timing makes perfect sense. The NBA has spent years building its fanbase across Asia, where basketball passion runs deep in countries like China, the Philippines, and India. Now the league is betting that the same region producing millions of devoted fans is also home to groundbreaking ideas that could reshape sports technology.

The Ripple Effect

This move signals something bigger than one program getting larger. When major organizations like the NBA invest in Asian innovation, they create pathways that didn't exist before.

Young entrepreneurs in Mumbai or Manila now have the same shot at NBA partnership as their counterparts in Manhattan. That level playing field means better ideas rise to the top, regardless of geography.

The expansion also strengthens ties between the NBA and Asian communities in a meaningful way. Instead of just marketing to fans, the league is now investing in their ideas and innovations. That's the kind of authentic engagement that builds lasting relationships.

For the startups that make it into Launchpad, the benefits extend far beyond the NBA partnership. Being selected validates their work on a global stage and opens doors to investors, customers, and partners worldwide.

Asia's next generation of tech founders now has a championship opportunity to show what they can do.