LIFToff Video AI Challenge: Elevated Content Experiences
ABOUT THIS CHALLENGE
Comcast Technology Solutions helps media and entertainment companies bring video to a global market effectively, reliably, and profitably. By leveraging emerging technologies, CTS stays on the cutting edge to make video smarter and more relevant for viewers, content creators and brands. Comcast is seeking enterprise-ready startups and their emerging technologies across AI, computer vision, deep learning and beyond, to deliver next gen video experiences and improve the content delivery and consumption experience.
USE CASES OF INTEREST INCLUDE:
- Automated captioning (multi-language) and realistic dubbing
- Mood, sentiment and emotion recognition and biofeedback
- Short-form, shareable content generation
- Recognition: Brands, logos, people, context, environment
For questions about the program or application process, please contact us at LIFT@comcast.com

An enterprise-ready startup with a product or service
in market or very close to it.

Your partner in anchoring or expanding your
enterprise client roster.

WEEK 1: | Applications Open (6/21) |
WEEKS 1-5: | Evaluation & Diligence (6/21 - 7/22) |
WEEK 6-8: | Startup Shortlist Selection, Notification & Prep for Final Pitch (7/25 - 8/12) |
WEEK 9: | Final pitch to Comcast NBCU business leaders (week of 8/15) |
Finalist(s): | Announced and awarded late August/early September |
WHY THIS CHALLENGE IS IMPORTANT
According to Publicis research, 45% of consumers feel they are using too many paid services for content. With the rising costs of daily life, consumers are becoming more cost-conscious and their appetite is growing for advertising-based free content1.
With so many avenues to stream and engage with content, it is a critical time in the video industry to reimagine the viewing and commercial experience. This starts by respecting viewer’s time, attention and privacy, and leveraging technologies that not only understand viewer needs, but deliver unparalleled experiences2.
Artificial intelligence, machine vision and learning, and other emerging technologies are quickly creating the future of brand advertising3. They can be leveraged for moments across the value chain from identifying and segmenting audiences, to building creative, testing and dynamically improving ad performance, and measuring sentiment.
As tools and technologies that analyze video content become faster and more sophisticated, the content itself takes on new potential to do more with less4. It can be cut, clipped, personalized and predictive to deliver better experiences to viewers and brand partners, and unlock opportunities for content creators and distributors.
About Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, part of Startup Engagement at Comcast NBCUniversal, gives talented entrepreneurs access to Comcast NBCUniversal’s renowned network of partners, brands and mentors to foster rapid breakthroughs in connectivity, media and entertainment. Startup Engagement at Comcast NBCUniversal has entrepreneurial programs across the country, including three accelerators in Philadelphia and Atlanta, and offers educational resources and programming for companies at all stages of the startup journey. Our teams canvas the world for revolutionary startup founders and early-stage companies in connectivity, media, entertainment, and sports that can help enhance the products and services we provide. Visit ComcastNBCULIFT.com to learn more.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest high-speed internet, video, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe’s leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
LIFToff Program Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) apply to the LIFToff Program (“Program”) provided by Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC (“Comcast”). By applying to the Program on behalf of a company, you and your company (“You” or “Your”) agree to be bound by these Terms.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply to the Program, your company must:
- be a corporation (not an LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other form of legal entity) incorporated in one of the states of the United States, unless otherwise agreed in advance in writing by Comcast;
- be an early to mid-stage startup with at least a minimum viable product in beta testing or live in market;
- be willing to provide additional information about You and Your business as requested by Comcast, and to sign additional agreements as requested by Comcast.Submissions
You expressly acknowledge and agree that:
- any and all information, written or oral, that You disclose or provide to Comcast is not confidential and You waive all such rights to this information;
- Comcast does not receive Your submission in confidence and its disclosure by You does not establish a confidential relationship between You and Comcast;
- Your submission does not obligate Comcast to review Your submission, enter into any transaction with You, or make any investment in your company; and
- Comcast accepts no responsibility for the handling or return of Your submitted materials.
Please be aware that Comcast has a number of employees engaged in the development of ideas and business opportunities. We also rely on brokers, attorneys, and other qualified representatives to assist us in this regard. Also, Comcast may find that Your submission is not new, is in the public domain, or has already been investigated and considered by Comcast. For these reasons, You must understand that Your business and its idea may be already known to us, in whole or in part, prior to Your submission. Finally, Comcast does not seek, and will not accept, ideas for audio, visual or audio-visual creative materials (such as television programs, movies, video games or attractions), derivatives of our or our affiliates’ creative intellectual property, or scripts of any kind. To the extent you submit any such materials, You agree that Comcast and its affiliates shall have a perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, sublicensable, worldwide right to use those materials for any purpose without any obligation to You, and You waive any claims against Comcast and its affiliates in connection with those materials.
Comcast’s Administration of the Program
Comcast shall conduct the Program and make all decisions regarding the Program and its participants, including You, in its sole and absolute discretion. Comcast’s decisions are final. Comcast reserves the right to modify these Terms or apply additional terms to the Program at any time. In that case, Comcast will use reasonable efforts to communicate the modifications or additional terms to You.
Representations and Warranties
You represent and warrant that you have the full power and authority to accept and be bound by these Terms, and that the acceptance of these Terms, and the performance of Your obligations hereunder, will not constitute a breach or default by You or otherwise violate your company’s organizational documents, any agreement to which You are bound or any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation applicable to You.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless, and upon Comcast’s request, defend, Comcast, its affiliates, and their directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and agents from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, taxes, expenses and costs, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs, incurred by Comcast and such other persons through claims of third parties against Comcast based on or arising from Your breach of these Terms or Your participation in the Program.
Disputes
Any disputes that arise between Comcast and You regarding these Terms or Comcast’s use of Your submissions will be governed by Pennsylvania law (without regard to its conflict of laws provisions), and venue for any actions shall be in the Commonwealth or federal courts of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia County (and courts to which appeals from such courts may be taken).
Publicity
You agree not to issue a press release or any other publicity relating to these Terms or the Program (including Your participation therein) without Comcast’s prior written approval.