# Racing Summit Seeks Tech Startups to Attract New Generation of Fans
- Tech startups invited to pitch bold ideas
- One-day summit to take place at York Racecourse in February 2026
- Follows landmark study revealing a disconnect between racing and young adults
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Flutter UKI are teaming up to launch a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style horse racing summit, with the ambition to unearth solutions that attract a new generation of racegoers.
Applications are now open for this startup scouting programme in advance of the ‘Future of Racing’ summit, which takes place at York Racecourse in February 2026.
There, a shortlist of the most innovative tech startups will be offered the chance to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of industry leaders and experts from Flutter, the BHA, racecourses and equine welfare, to discuss and probe their concepts in greater detail.
The summit will take place in front of an audience of stakeholders and representatives from across the sport, with a range of venture capitalists also expected – giving startups an influential stage on which to present their ideas.
Those interested in attending are invited to register their interest now via Alpha Hub’s ‘future of Racing’ website.
Concepts coudl include augmented reality race guides,wearable tech for horses,immersive VR experiences,novel ways to make horse racing ownership more accessible and engaging – or anything designed to modernise the sport and deepen fan engagement.
The initiative,also backed by RMG,York Racecourse,and ClimbUK,builds on insights from Project Beacon-the most complete study ever conducted into British racing audiences.
It found that there is a vast untapped market for horse racing and that despite its place as the second biggest sport in the UK, too many people feel little emotional connection to horse racing.
In a survey of 7,500 people, project Beacon also identified 3 additional concerns among racegoers.