zone14 Wins brutkasten’s Innovator of the Year 2026 Award

Photo above, from left: Ann-Kathrin Salmen (brutkasten), Andreas Tschugguel (Austrian Chamber of Notaries), Simon Schmiderer, Tobias Gahleitner, Lukas Grömer (all zone14) and Martin Pacher (brutkasten).

VIENNA, 6 November 2026 – Austrian sports technology company zone14 has been named brutkasten’s Innovator of the Year 2026 in the Startup category, coming out on top of ten nominated Austrian startups in a public vote. The award was presented on 5 November at the brutkasten MOMENTUM event in Vienna.

Robotics, space technology – and football. At first glance, they might seem worlds apart. But zone14’s win shows that innovation isn’t limited to research labs, technology companies or professional stadiums. It’s happening on local football pitches, too.

For zone14, the award is about more than the company itself. It’s also an opportunity to show how much innovation is happening in grassroots football. Across Austria and beyond, clubs are increasingly using technology to develop players, support coaches and get more out of every match.

Making football technology accessible to more clubs

Founded in Vienna by Simon Schmiderer, Lukas Grömer and Tobias Gahleitner, zone14 set out to make video analysis and performance technology accessible to clubs that don’t have the budgets or resources of professional teams.

Today, the company’s automated camera systems, video analysis software and AI-powered player tracking are used in more than ten countries, with over 200 systems deployed.

The company has also attracted prominent investors from Austrian football in recent months, including former Austria national team captain Marc Janko and former Austria Wien captain and sporting director Manuel Ortlechner.

It’s pretty special to see a football startup recognised alongside companies working on robotics and space technology. We’re proud to show that there’s exciting innovation happening in football too, and not just at the highest level.

I’m incredibly proud of our team and the hard work they put into improving zone14 every day. It’s great to see that work recognised. A huge thank-you also goes to everyone who voted for us, and to the clubs, coaches and partners who trust us, challenge us and give us honest feedback.

Seeing so much support for what we’re building is great motivation to keep improving and making our technology useful for even more clubs.

Celebrating with the football community

To celebrate the award and thank the football community for its support, zone14 is launching its biggest offer of the year early.

Starting 6 November, clubs can save more than €1,700: more than 25% off the regular price of the zone14 CORE package, with 12 months of zone14 LIVE included free of charge.

And the celebration isn’t just for new clubs. All existing zone14 customers can also unlock one STATS match free of charge, as a thank-you for their continued trust and support.

The Black Friday offer runs until 27 November 2026.

SAVE €1,700

25% off CORE + 1 year LIVE

You’ll find all of the evening’s winners on brutkasten (in German): Das sind die Sieger des brutkasten Innovator of the Year 2026

Photos: © brutkasten / Tobias Gärtner

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