2026 Theme: Digital Platforms for Sports Communities
Present live at the Impulse Summit: 29. - 30.10.2026, St. Gallen
The Impulse Summit is an interactive and independent conference with the purpose to fuel the sports business industry with new impulses.
We aim to create a platform for dialogue at the interface of sport, business, politics, culture, and science, representing relevant industry topics by reflecting the voice of the next generation and senior industry experts.
A key aspect, including this year, will be our Start-Up Competition, which we are running in cooperation with Sports Tech Nation.
This year under the theme Digital Platforms for Sports Communities.
Find out more here🏆 Benefits:
- All finalists receive full access to the Impulse Summit 2026
- Overall winners receive a 5 minute pitch slot on the main stage at Sports Tech Nation at SAP Garden in Munich
- Overall winners receive 3 tickets to the Sports Tech Nation
- Overall winners receive a lifetime infinity.swiss subscription (worth CHF 1,080/year)
Schedule 2026
TO BE ANNOUNCED
Thursday, 29.10.2026
Impulse Summit, Day I
Engage yourself in discussions on the first conference day, witness the final of our Start-Up Competition, and subsequently take part in an exclusive dinner together with other experts, speakers, partners and Global Talents.
(schedule to be announced)
Friday, 30.10.2026
Impulse Summit, Day II
On the second day of the conference create further impulses for the sports business industry and conclude the conference with us in the early afternoon. In the evening, our afterparty invites for extending your stay for one more night.
(schedule to be announced)
What Industry Leaders say
« Only when you challenge an idea and get someone out of his comfort zone, you can create something big. At the Impulse Summit you are not following, you are shaping. »
Carsten Koerl
CEO, Sportradar
« The Impulse Summit is especially interesting due to the unique variety of people you meet: Students as well as decision makers in and outside of sports. »
Carsten Cramer
CEO, Borussia Dortmund
« I think it is very important to think in generations. For me, the Impulse Summit is a Think Tank: I am here to learn from students and from the next generations. »
Fritz Keller
President, DFB & SC Freiburg
« I was impressed that it is so professional. It is a very well-run conference. There are a lot of people who are really interested, so it is good to be affiliated. »
Olaf Swantee
CEO, Sunrise
« It's a great initiative, I would keep the Impulse Summit on the calendar for exactly that reason. »
Nicolas Evans
Head of Research, FIFA
« Crowdsourcing the ideas, crowdsourcing the different perspectives and learning from that is of incredible value. »
Benjamin Stoll
Director Digital, FIS
Start-Up Selection
The digital platform for sports, business & the next generation
Pitch your vision
The start-up selection offers a unique opportunity to pitch your start-up in front of a selected jury of industry experts.
Content-based input
By addressing a pre-selected research question, the participating start-up’s present their solution-oriented approach.
Investor connects
With over 300 participants at the Impulse Summit we provide a platform for start-up’s to connect with investors and other industry professionals.
The Idea Behind
Empowering the next generation of sports industry entrepreneurs
The Impulse Start-Up competition was introduced to give upcoming sports industry entrepreneurs a platform to demonstrate their unique ideas and innovative thinking. The Impulse Network brings in the proficiency from one of the leading business schools in Europe that has produced successful start-ups like N26, planted, wefox and VIU. We deliberately choose a jury composed of industry experts, topics that are based on prevailing industry developments and a suitable integration into the Summit. The competition aims to diversify the Summit participant pool and serve as an inspiration for the next generation.
Join us in 2026
Contact us
Learn more about our Start-Up Competition or schedule a meeting to discuss collaboration or learn more.
We always welcome any kind of questions about the competition, the Summit or the initiative. Do not hesitate to contact us anytime.
Contact us
Paul Fellay
Network Team