New technology from startup ventures is transforming the sports industry. The mission of this series will be 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: upace
CEO: Rachel Koretsky
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
1. What is your elevator pitch? 140 characters, please.
The upace™ customizable platform allows fitness centers to directly engage members while efficiently collecting data through mobile technology.
2. Problem & Solution
17 million students have access to university recreation facilities but the administration has no efficient means of capturing or utilizing data to improve operations, schedule and plan. As a result, students become frustrated when they cannot access group fitness classes and training equipment such as cardio stations without extended wait times. This has led students to stop attending the facilities.
upace™ is a management mobile and web-based app allowing individuals to find the optimal time and resources to live a healthier lifestyle on campus. The software allows the university to customize the app to fit their needs as well as collect data to make informed decisions.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
upace™ currently works with University recreation facilities, where there are 17+ million students at over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States (with over 10,000 fitness centers). That being said, the university must have upace™ in order for their fitness members to access the application.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
Currently, all profits are from a tiered yearly software license. Long-term we are planning to include a price per feature and advertising models.
5. What else do you want the audience to know about your venture?
We firmly believe in inspiring body positivity and self-care to help our users and fitness community find what is his or her own “healthy.” Our team is also looking for innovate fitness facilities to test our software. To learn more, contact us at info@upaceapp.com.
Bonus Question: If you were stuck on a desert island with any three athletes, who would they be and why?
Yao Ming to reach the coconuts & bananas, Kobe Bryant to teach mediation to help us maintain a healthy mind and body, and lastly Kelly Slater because it would be awesome to learn how to surf from the best.