During NFL Draft week, Pittsburgh will witness the awarding of over $1.2 million in funding aimed at artificial intelligence startups. The event, titled Powering the Future of Sport, is scheduled for April 22 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Innovation Center. Key figures such as Mark Cuban, a prominent businessman and investor, will participate as a judge alongside Ed Stack, executive chairman of Dick’s Sporting Goods, and former Pittsburgh Steeler Will Allen.
The showcase is a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the AI Strike Team, and will include remarks from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as well as live demonstrations of AI technology. The prize package consists of $1 million in Amazon Web Services credits and $275,000 in investment capital from Magarac Venture Partners.
Judges will evaluate startups focused on AI and robotics applications in athlete performance, analytics, and fan engagement. While both domestic and international companies can apply, preference will be given to those establishing a significant operational presence in Pennsylvania, as defined by various criteria outlined in the application process.