Boost Sport, a Seattle startup that helps basketball teams analyze their performance with video analysis technology, raised a $1.3 million seed round. Founded in 2016, the company uses machine learning and artificial intelligence that lets coaches and trainers pull data insights from video footage without having to purchase in-venue camera systems and wearable devices. Boost says its software can help spot trends and surface opportunities about strategy and personnel. TitletownTech, a partnership between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, led the round. Other investors include Portfolia, Stadia Ventures, Barbara Clarke at the ImpactSeat, and Scott Cannon. Boost is led by… Read More
Vancouver, B.C.-based startup Form raised $8.5 million ($12 million CAD) for its augmented reality swimming goggles. Founded in 2016 by tech vet and former competitive swimmer Dan Eisenhardt, Form’s $199 goggles provide real-time visual feedback such as metrics on split times, distance, stroke rate, pace, and calories. The company launched in August and shipped more than 10,000 goggles in its first four months of operation. Large family offices in the UK and Denmark led the round, which included participation from Silicon Valley Bank. Eisenhardt previously sold sports-oriented AR startup Recon Instruments to Intel. The consumer AR market hasn’t taken off… Read More
Nike has more than 100 styles of men’s running shoes and more than a dozen ways to filter through them on its website. But nowhere in the shoe-buying experience will you be asked to consider one of the most basic running-related questions: How fast do you run? Vimazi is a Seattle-based startup that wants to put that fundamental metric — a runner’s pace — at the center of how it designs and markets running shoes. The startup is in the midst of a seed financing round that could reach $1 million, and the company said it could pursue a Series… Read More
Vicis is adding another big name to its investor list as the company opens up sales of its high-tech football helmet to all youth football players. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has invested in the Seattle startup via Rx3 Ventures, a new consumer-focused fund based in Orange County, Vicis announced Thursday morning. With the investment, Vicis says it has now closed its $28.5 million Series B round. The round brings the company’s total funding raised to $84 million since spinning out of the University of Washington in 2014. The 100-person company is known for its $950 ZERO1 football helmet, used by players… Read More
Player Tokens Inc. is betting that digital assets and blockchain technology will reshape the way sports fans buy and sell rare collectibles. The Seattle startup came out of stealth mode in August, revealing its “crypto-collectible service” that puts a new spin on the traditional baseball card and owning collectibles. The company, backed by Madrona Venture Group, last month signed a deal with the Major League Baseball Players Association to sell digital “tokens” featuring real MLB players. Packs of tokens, priced from $5.99 to $8.49, can be purchased with a credit card. Player Tokens said its product is the first crypto-collectible… Read More
