Orlando Magic Sponsors the 2025 Blackstone LaunchPad Florida Innovation Challenge

As part of the Orlando Magic’s continuing commitment to innovation, the team is sponsoring the second annual Blackstone LaunchPad Florida Innovation Challenge on Oct. 16-17 at Kia Center and University of Central Florida (UCF) downtown campus, respectively. The challenge offers students from seven universities the opportunity to pitch innovative ideas and network with some of the top minds in the sports technology field while competing for more than $50,000 in cash prizes.

The students were given a general business challenge and then tasked with forming a team to create solutions. This year’s challenge was to create a fan membership program that engages fans domestically and internationally. The three areas of focus were content strategy, physical/digital experience and product offerings.

More than 300 students and 50 teams competed in the qualifying rounds at Florida A&M University, Florida International University, Florida State University, UCF, University of Florida, University of North Florida and Miami Dade College. The competition gives students access into real company operations, helping them build innovation skills and grow their personal and professional networks with peers from across the state.

“This innovation challenge provides unparalleled opportunities and access for students to build a strong portfolio and connections, advancing their careers in the sports industry,” said Magic Chief Strategy Officer Jay Riola. “Innovation is a core value of our organization and engaging fans is a key strategic focus as well. We are thrilled to offer students from the Blackstone LaunchPad Florida schools a chance to grow with us by contributing fresh ideas and perspectives."

The challenge tipped off Oct. 16 at the Magic’s preseason matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. The students participated in an arena tour, pregame reception and halftime presentation while getting a first-hand look at fan engagement and team operations. The presentations and judging are Oct. 17 at the UCF downtown campus.

Judges picking the winning presentation include CEO of Greater Orlando Sports Jennifer Lastik, Track Shack VP of Business Operations Chris Hughes, Full Sail University Integrated Marketing Course Director Sankaya Hall, Orlando Magic Senior Director of Global Marketing Strategy Marie Webb and Magic Chief Sales Officer Michael Forde.

Blackstone LaunchPad, run by the charitable arm of the world’s largest alternative asset manager Blackstone, advances career mobility through skill-building and internships. Open to all first generation and low-income college students, the program partners with higher education institutions and mission-aligned nonprofits to train students in key career skills. UCF has helped facilitate the Blackstone LaunchPad program expansion in Florida. Funded by a $5 million multi-year gift from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, the expansion allowed six major public institutions to join UCF in creating a network that serves more than 370,000 students.

“The generosity of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation coupled with the Orlando Magic’s commitment to measurable innovation creates an amazing ecosystem for all our students in Florida, especially our first-generation students, to benefit from the life-changing experiences and opportunities that come from pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams,” said Michael Lynch, Ph.D., Florida partnership director for the Blackstone LaunchPad and professor of practice at UCF. “This innovation challenge is a prime example of what smart collaboration by strategic partners can do for students.”

The Orlando Magic have a history of prioritizing the customer through technology and innovation. Since 2010, the Magic have leveraged data, analytics and business intelligence to better understand their fans, enhance their enjoyment and improve business operations.

As a core principle, innovation drives the Magic’s approach to enhancing the fan experience and shaping the future of sports entertainment. From reimagining the Magic fan experience at Kia Center with cutting-edge technologies to launching programs that connect fans globally through exclusive content, events, and merchandise, the Magic continuously seek bold, creative solutions.

This commitment extends beyond the arena through strategic partnerships with Florida’s leading universities via the Blackstone LaunchPad Florida Network Innovation Challenge. By sponsoring this statewide initiative, the Magic empower students across seven institutions to tackle real-world business challenges, such as expanding domestic and international fan engagement strategies. The collaboration not only surfaces fresh ideas from the collegiate community but also fosters career-building opportunities in sports innovation, exemplifying the Magic’s belief in the power of entrepreneurship and education to shape the future of the game.

About the Blackstone LaunchPad & the Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Blackstone LaunchPad advances career mobility through skill-building and internships. Open to all first generation and low-income college students, the program partners with higher education institutions and mission-aligned nonprofits to train students in key career skills, then gives them access to paid internships at Blackstone, Blackstone portfolio companies and startups.

About the Blackstone LaunchPad Team FL partnership

Blackstone LaunchPad has supported University of Central Florida for the past decade, delivering entrepreneurial skill-building programs to help their students launch successful companies and careers. As part of Blackstone’s broader commitment to Florida, Blackstone LaunchPad added partnerships with Miami Dade College, Florida International University, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of Florida and the University of North Florida to expand its program. Blackstone LaunchPad advances career and economic mobility in Florida by equipping students with skills, resources and opportunities to succeed across campuses serving 370,000 annually.

About the Orlando Magic

Orlando's NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic's mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning eight division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2024, 2025) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $30 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 36 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, 2021 G League champions, and the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Kia Center – voted by fans no. 1 in the NBA for game experience; honored with TheStadiumBusiness Awards’ Customer Experience Award; named SportsBusiness Journal's Sports Facility of the Year; and awarded the Venue Excellence Award (VEA) by the International Association of Venue Managers. The Magic practice at the award-winning AdventHealth Training Center. The Magic was also recognized by the Sports Business Journal as one of the “Best Places to Work” in sports in 2023 and 2024. For ticket information, visit OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.