New technology from startup ventures is transforming the sports industry. The mission of this series is to introduce startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience and allow Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story. Feel free to contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for this series.
Company name: Fun With Balls GmbH
Founder(s): Markos Aristides Kern
Headquarters: Munich, Germany
1. What is your elevator pitch?
interactiveSquash (abbreviated iSquash) is a fusion of sports and technology that delivers a comprehensive workout through simple, addictive game-play.
2. Problem & Solution
Fitness-junkies are always looking for challenging new ways to train.
The average Joe needs something fun to stay fit and stay motivated.
Professional squash players are bored with endless drills, and training solo for up to 5 hours a week. People like having access to everything at the tip of their fingers.
interactiveSquash addresses all these issues with an intuitive cutting-edge platform.
Enticing games and challenging training modules were developed alongside squash experts and pros to provide a comprehensive workout.
With the accompanying interactiveSquash smartphone app it is now effortless to:
– Select games or training modules
– Find and book courts
– Track your progress with instant feedback
– Compare statistics and scores with other users globally
New games are added frequently, and the hardware can be integrated into any existing squash court as a simple turnkey upgrade.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
Our main market is Squash players. There are around 25 million Squash players world-wide.
The secondary target is the fitness world. Squash has famously been described as the healthiest sport to play by Forbes Magazine. It is physically demanding and makes a great alternative to the repetitive gym environment. The sport has an unparalleled novelty factor – each time you play it’s different. interactiveSquash takes that dynamic to new levels with the limitless potential of fresh interactive content.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
Our platform is a groundbreaking connection between hardware and augmented reality gaming.
This opens up the potential for:
- Encouraging new people to take up squash as a sport or hobby
- A marketplace to buy and sell new games / training modules
- Streamlined, smart booking and payment system for players to get court time
- Advertising with targeted content
An interactiveSquash court can be installed anywhere in the world. It’s maintenance-free, and includes all the necessary equipment.
Our partner ASB SquashCourts, can update any court or build a brand new one with the iSquash system included. ASB SquashCourts is the leading squash court builder in over 70 countries with a successful track-record of over 50 years.
5. Management Team – with titles
Markos Aristides Kern – CEO
Benjamin Piltz – CTO
Thomas Draper: UX manager
Fun With Balls also supported by: WIPANO (the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy’s program for innovation in technology).
6. What else do you want the audience to know about your venture?
interactiveSquash is a game-changer that is revolutionising the way people think about squash and sports in general. It is designed to work as an open platform, this means that anyone with a great idea for a game or training module can get involved. Fun With Balls is alway open to questions, and new ideas for games or training modules. They are keen to share how the product is growing and developing through their website, Facebook, or Twitter.