Inside BT Sourced's Procurement-Focused AI Contest Launch

BT Sourced is pushing procurement into a new digital space. Since its launch in 2021, the standalone sourcing arm of BT Group has aimed to rewrite the rules of supply chains using smart technology.

Based in Dublin, BT Sourced is inviting AI start-ups to step forward and share tools that can help make procurement faster, more efficient and aligned with sustainability goals.

The company, which oversees global sourcing for BT Group, says it wants to simplify processes, improve how suppliers are managed and use data in a smarter way.

Now it's using a global start-up competition, scheduled for May 2025, to bring in new ideas from outside the business. This is more than a tech showcase. It’s a call for tools that could shape how large organisations work with suppliers, analyse procurement data and cut back delays in the supply chain.

The new competition is targeted at early-stage companies using AI to enhance procurement.

BT Sourced says it's looking for ideas that offer automation, improve supply chain efficiency and unlock deeper insights through data.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the event, the company asks startups to show how AI could be used in areas like sourcing, payment processes and supplier selection.

This isn’t a one-off event. It builds on a broader strategy by BT Sourced to bring new tech into its everyday operations. The firm is already working with several startups through its Procurement Garage initiative, including Candex, an automated payment platform from the US. This platform is designed to reduce manual admin, cut waiting times and let teams focus on higher-value procurement work.

Another digital tool in use is Globality's Glo, an AI-powered platform helping BT Sourced manage spending across consulting, marketing, legal, IT and HR. In 2023 and 2024, around £8bn (US$10.5bn) in procurement spend was processed through the system.

Globality also supports BT Sourced with procurement ranging from large-scale strategic projects to smaller, lower-value purchases — sometimes referred to in the industry as "tail spend".

BT Sourced’s work with Globality has earned recognition too. It was shortlisted in the Digital Impact category at the World Procurement Awards for how it's using Gen AI to improve procurement processes at BT Group. Gen AI refers to tools that can generate new outputs based on patterns found in existing data, helping teams make decisions faster and with more confidence.

Founder and Chief Executive, Cyril Pourrat, says the company’s mission is simple: "Join us in shaping the future of procurement, where AI drives efficiency and innovation paves the way. Let's revolutionise the industry together."

Changing how procurement works across the board

The wider plan at BT Sourced is to bring speed and precision to procurement. This means trimming down how long it takes to place an order, approve it and get suppliers moving. In some cases, tools introduced by BT Sourced have cut ordering times from weeks to just minutes.

Digital tools also support negotiation analytics and automated bots, which can suggest pricing or draft contracts based on supplier data. This changes how procurement professionals do their jobs, reducing time spent on manual tasks and giving teams better information to work with.

At the same time, BT Sourced is tying procurement to the company’s broader environmental targets. One of its core tasks is to help BT Group cut its carbon footprint across the supply chain. It’s working towards a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030/31 and sees procurement as a key lever to make that happen.

By picking suppliers that meet sustainability standards and using digital tools to track progress, BT Sourced can play a direct role in shaping greener sourcing strategies.

Building the future of procurement in Dublin

BT Sourced’s base in Dublin offers a link into one of Europe’s fastest-growing technology ecosystems.

The company says it wants to use this to work with suppliers and start-ups alike, creating a network of partners committed to transforming procurement. This includes nurturing AI talent and supporting new businesses that could play a key role in the future of global sourcing.

The new competition is another step in this direction. Updates on how to apply, what the selection criteria are and how finalists will be chosen are expected in the coming weeks.

For now, BT Sourced is calling on start-ups that want to shake up procurement with smarter, faster and more sustainable tools.

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