CMU, AI Strike Team Host Top AI Startups in Pittsburgh Draft

In a groundbreaking venture that merges sports with cutting-edge technology, Carnegie Mellon University’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, alongside the AI Strike Team, has announced the top contenders for the prestigious Forge to Field AI Pitch Competition. This event is set to bring innovative advancements in artificial intelligence to the forefront of the sports industry.

Selected from a pool of nearly 100 candidates spanning over ten major tech hubs nationwide, six finalists will converge in Pittsburgh on April 22. They will compete for a share of the $1.75 million prize, which includes up to $1 million in AWS cloud credits, in a city renowned for its vibrant AI ecosystem.

2026 Forge to Field AI Pitch Competition Finalists:

Flowstate — Specializes in AI agents that enhance sports content and media operations by automating video analysis, aiming to serve as the intelligence layer for video.

MyoVerse — Offers a wearable platform that uses AI to convert muscle activity into real-time biomarkers, aiding in performance and rehabilitation.

Peachy Day — A migraine prevention application that utilizes predictive health tracking and neurologist-led care to expedite treatment and reduce healthcare costs.

Perforated AI — Integrates neuroscience into live sports to predict and signal potential injuries using real-time player data.

ServeSense — Develops hardware-software products for racket sports, including sensors that analyze swing mechanics to provide personalized coaching feedback.

Sensi Fit — A sports performance system equipped with sensors that track drills and deliver comprehensive data to enhance competitive performance.

“What inspires us most is seeing startup founders using generative AI in high-stakes environments where performance matters. They are moving beyond hype and into production,” said Deap Ubhi, Director and Global Head of Technology for Startups at AWS. “If you think of some of the foundational pillars of what makes AWS the right place to build for so many startups — performance, resilience, availability — it’s very similar to what is expected to perform at peak levels in any sport. AWS gives founders the tools and technologies to build systems that are fast, reliable, and production-grade from day one so they can operate at game speed.”

The finalists will present their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges, including:

Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor

Ed Stack, Executive Chairman and Chief Merchant, DICK’S Sporting Goods; Foot Locker

Will Allen, Founding Partner, Magarac and former Pittsburgh Steeler

Deap Ubhi, Director and Global Head of Technology for Startups, AWS

Troy Demmer, Co-Founder and President, Gecko Robotics and Co-Founder and General Partner, First Order Fund

Jeanne Cunicelli, President, UPMC Enterprises; Executive Vice President, UPMC

“The strength of response to this competition reflects Carnegie Mellon’s global reputation in AI and robotics, combined with the Swartz Center’s leadership in entrepreneurship,” said Meredith Meyer Grelli, managing director and interim executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship. “Working in close collaboration with the AI Strike Team, we’ve been able to bring together an exceptional group of companies from across the country and create a platform that connects them with leading investors, operators and partners at a pivotal moment for AI.”

The competition is a key part of the Powering the Future of Sport: A Draft Week Showcase, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University and the AI Strike Team, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The event, featuring NFL legend Jerome Bettis, will gather global investors, founders, and sports industry leaders during NFL Draft Week.

Where AI Meets the Field

The Forge to Field AI Pitch Competition is a cornerstone of the broader Showcase, spotlighting AI technologies revolutionizing sports. Carnegie Mellon researchers are at the forefront, creating AI systems that adapt to dynamic environments, such as the NFL IQ’s AI chat tool, developed by Ron Yurko and Ph.D. student Quang Nguyen, which provides insights on NFL data.

Sports challenge AI technologies with demands for instant decision-making and accuracy, similar to modern city management, where AI can optimize logistics, fan engagement, and operations in sports franchises.

Pittsburgh: Where the Next AI Economy Is Taking Shape

Hosted at the new Robotics Innovation Center at Hazelwood Green, the Showcase highlights Pittsburgh as a burgeoning hub for physical AI and entrepreneurship. The region, with its AI and robotics leadership, supported by the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and AI Strike Team, serves as a living lab for technological innovation.

Pittsburgh’s combination of professional sports teams, investment momentum, and cost advantages positions it as a leader in building and scaling intelligent systems. Carnegie Mellon University and the AI Strike Team are pivotal in fostering this AI revolution in sports.

“Pittsburgh has all the ingredients to lead in this next era of AI — from world-class research to real-world deployment environments,” said Joanna Doven, executive director of the AI Strike Team. “Through this event and the work of the AI Strike Team, we’re accelerating Pittsburgh’s position as an AI City — bringing together the people and platforms needed to build, test and scale these technologies.”

Sponsors Powering the Future of Sport

The sponsors of Powering the Future of Sport: A Draft Week Showcase are integral to shaping the industry’s future. Their involvement goes beyond sponsorship, actively contributing to the discussions and innovations during and beyond Draft Week.

Support for the Forge to Field AI Pitch Competition includes: