A Conversation With Ayoola Samagbeyi, CTO Of 9jaPay, Co-Founder Of Canalis Labs And SportsTech22 2026 Judge

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Company

I’m Ayoola Samagbeyi, a technology executive, builder and operator working at the intersection of finance and technology. I serve as CTO of 9jaPay, where I lead product and engineering across multiple markets, helping make access to financial services, infrastructure and value-adding technology solutions possible.

I also co-founded Canalis Labs, a technology consulting and product engineering firm. We partner with startups, financial institutions and enterprise clients to design, build, and scale digital products, from core platforms to data and AI solutions. We’re hands-on by nature, and we care far more about execution than strategy decks.

What Interests You Most About the SportsTech Industry In 2026?

What excites me most is the convergence happening right now. AI, wearables, media and fintech are all simultaneously shaping how sport is consumed and commercialised, creating genuinely new territory.

For me personally, the most compelling thread is how technology is democratising access. Whether that’s grassroots athletes getting real visibility, or fans having more personalised and immersive experiences regardless of where they are, sport is becoming a data-driven, experience-led industry, and the infrastructure to support that is finally maturing in a meaningful way.

What Do You Hope To See From SportsTech22 Entrants In 2026?

Solutions that go beyond clever and actually solve something meaningful. I want to see entries that improve athlete performance in measurable ways, unlock new revenue streams for clubs or genuinely rethink how fans interact with sport.

Scalability matters too. The best companies in this space understand both the technology and the business of sport; those aren’t separate conversations.

What Advice Would You Give To Companies Entering SportsTech22 This Year?

Be precise about the problem you’re solving and who you’re solving it for. A lot of early-stage companies overinvest in technology and underinvest in understanding the actual user. That imbalance shows.

Also, don’t underestimate partnerships. In sport, distribution and access are everything. Whether it’s leagues, clubs or media platforms, the question of how you get to market is just as important as what you’ve built.

What Do You Think Entrants Can Do To Stand Out from the Competition?

Clarity and execution. A well-articulated solution with real-world validation will always outperform something technically impressive but unproven.

If people are already using your product, even at a small scale, and it’s delivering value, lead with that. Traction is the most honest signal you can send to a room full of judges.

What Is Your Number One Piece of Advice To Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

Start before you feel ready, but stay disciplined once you do. The excitement of an idea is easy; building something real takes consistency, patience, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go to plan.

And don’t build in isolation. Talk to your users early and often. They’ll save you from months of going in the wrong direction.

Any Final Thoughts?

Sport is one of the most emotionally universal industries in the world, and that makes it a powerful space to build in. But the winners won’t just be the most technically gifted. They’ll be the ones who combine technology, storytelling and genuine business understanding.

I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what this year’s entrants bring. Good luck.