NFLPA Pitch Day

NFLPA Pitch Day

About the Event

NFLPA Pitch Day

The Convergence of Athletes & Innovation

Stay Tuned for Pitch Day 2027 Announcements

For over a decade, NFLPA Pitch Day has been a hub for innovation, connecting athletes, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders to exchange ideas and explore unique sports-focused partnership opportunities.

Through expert-led discussions and the flagship startup competition, industry leaders and athletes explore game-changing topics and opportunities at the intersection of sports and innovation.
 

2026 Pitch Competition

 

Congratulations to our 2026 Pitch Competition Winner, Somnee!

Tim Rosa, CEO of Somnee, was selected as our 2026 winner for their revolutionary AI-powered sleep technology, helping people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling better.

Learn More About the 2026 Pitch Companies
Somnee | Diddo | Epicore Biosystems

Previous Pitch Competition Winners

2025

2025

2025

VRTL, the leading platform for virtual fan experiences, was named the winner of the 2025 competition

2024

2024

2024

DrinKicks, the pioneering startup renowned for its distinctive sneaker products, clinched the top spot in 2024

2023

2023

2023

Personalized telenutrition platform Culina Health earned first place at 2023's record-breaking event

Other Past Winners: 

 

Healium, 2022  |  Round21, 2021  |  A Dozen Cousins, 2020  |  WHOOP, 2017

Event Format

 

Empowering Start-Ups to Succeed

The centerpiece of NFLPA Pitch Day is the startup competition, where four tech-driven companies pitch to an elite panel of NFL Players, investors, and industry leaders. 

Entrepreneurs compete for event access, mentorship, and collaboration to drive innovation in data tracking, technology, and performance-focused consumer products, with the winner receiving exclusive NFLPA event access, and business resources, including expert coaching in small business financial management and consultations on athlete marketing, fundraising, and strategic partnerships with NFLPA advisors, staff, board members, and venture capital partners.

 Expert-Led Discussions

Complementing the competition are thought-provoking panels where industry leaders and athletes share key insights and perspectives on emerging trends in the world of sports.

Last year's lineup featured a star-studded roster of player entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investment experts examining a variety of hard-hitting topics. Explore conversations from Pitch Day 2026 below:

 

WHOOP Fireside Chat

At NFLPA Pitch Day 2026, NFL Players Inc. President Matt Curtin spoke with Dr. Kristen Holmes, Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist at WHOOP, on the company’s growth from a 2017 Pitch Day winner into a trusted leader in athlete performance technology.

The NIL Effect: Shaping the Pro Athlete of Tomorrow

This discussion examines how NIL and private investment are shaping the next generation of pro athletes as investors, owners, and business builders. Moderated by Kenneth Shropshire, a leading voice on athlete rights, the panel includes Bryce Young, pro quarterback and former Alabama standout, and Marshall Faulk, legendary great and current head coach at Southern University.

The Athlete Ownership Era

Moderated by Beth Ferreira, General Partner at Serena Ventures, the conversation features Cam Jordan, star defensive end and business owner, and Logan Ryan, 2x Super Bowl champion and broadcaster, explores why investors increasingly view athletes as strategic partners who bring insight, credibility, and long-term alignment, not just capital.

2026 Emcee, Judges, & Panelists