Silicon Valley is a hotbed for young entrepreneurs. From simplifying group endeavors to apps about making other apps, startups in this region of the country are shaping our future. So let’s take a look at three Silicon Valley startups that could shape the sports industry’s future.
Zepp
Not getting results from driving range practice? Double faulting on the regular? Too familiar with that somber walk back to the dugout after strike three? This was the inspiration behind Zepp Labs Inc., a Los Gatos-based startup created by long-time hardware designer Jason Fass.
Zepp unites technology and sport to accumulate swing data in golf, tennis, and baseball, ultimately enhancing athletes’ performance. This startup uses 3-D motion technology to produce data and communicate it real-time in a meaningful way with Bluetooth activation. Despite using the same sensor for each sport, data is collected in very different ways, keying on the details that matter whether facing a 90 mph fastball or a topspin forehand.
A round in the batting cage with a Zepp sensor will track every swing, communicating bat speed, vertical and horizontal angle at impact, and amount of time the bat was in the hitting zone. Golfers can learn about swing speed, swing plane, tempo, backswing, and even their hip rotation. Zepp even produces a “swing score” evaluating the overall quality of each swing that can be suited to personal goals. And when it comes to tennis, Zepp distinguishes between backhands, forehands, serves, and smashes to break down the power and spin of each. The technology behind Zepp is highly advanced and provides a clear depiction for athletes to improve and meet personal goals.
Zepp raised $15 million in new venture funding to get up and running, and up and running they are. Zepp is primarily producing revenue through hardware sales, but the door is quickly opening for long-term investors. The company is focused on several things from developing new products to marketing their brand worldwide. Through 2013, Zepp’s total venture capital was up above $20 million. Zepp may have begun as a small Silicon Valley startup, but the future is bright and now is the time for sports fans to take notice.
Thuuz
Imagine a Saturday in late December. College football bowl season is kicking off. Full slate of NCAA basketball. NBA and NHL seasons in full swing. NFL playoffs underway. It’s an overwhelming situation for sports fans attempting to consume all the action, or worse, a sports fan without time to consume all the action. That was the dilemma facing venture capitalist Warren Packard, and Thuuz was his solution.
Warren switched his focus from helping other companies get started to starting his own startup with Palo Alto-based Thuuz, launching the wesbite in 2010 and the app in September 2011. Known as the “Pandora of sports,” Thuuz monitors a wide range of live sporting events to let fans know what they should be watching. The underlying metric behind Thuuz’s recommendations is game ratings, which take into account everything from a no-hitter in the 4th inning to a 2-minute drill in the fourth quarter. With each play, the game rating changes based on the anticipated excitement a fan would derive from tuning in. Thuuz landed $4.2 million in their first round of outside funding and have been growing ever since.
Thuuz added recognition of users’ Fantasy teams in 2012 to make it more than a robotic sports excitement measure—it connects with fans on a personal level. Just like other apps connecting sports fans to their favorite teams, Thuuz enables alerts to inform you about what matters most—whether it is your fantasy team at the end of a big week or your favorite pro sports team.
As the number of 24-hour sports networks expands, fans are left with unlimited viewing opportunities. But don’t get warped into the vortex of the television guide— Thuzz is the personal tool to let fans know what they care about when it matters.
Strava
Technology has contributed to the individualist nature of exercise. No matter the age or demographic, it is common to see joggers or weightlifters tuned in while working out. But Strava uses technology to make exercising an interactive activity.
Strava targets intense exercisers—those who work out several times a week—and is mainly focused on cyclists and extreme athletes. Founded in San Francisco by Michael Horvath, the idea was sparked by a cycling club over the Web that allowed Horvath and friends to share rides and workouts despite living hundreds or thousands of miles away. From there, things took off, and a small network of riders blossomed into a worldwide network of competitive social fitness gurus.
Strava allows users to engage in social fitness—connecting and competing with other athletes via the Web and the app. Requiring nothing but a GPS-enabled device, users track their exercise routines. From cycling to jogging and even climbing, every exercise routine becomes public. Thus, the network of avid athletes can share tricks and tips for each route. Users can also set goals to beat personal times or compete against fellow Strava users who have trekked on nearby courses.
Horvath & Co. have already changed the sports and fitness industry for current users, and will continue to popularize social fitness with each new subscriber. Strava has raised more than $16 million from investors while raking in plenty more from those subscribing to premium services. Horvath is nowhere near content, though envisioning a 300 million-member network. Strava means to strive in Swedish—its safe to say that Horvath and his expanding network will continue to strive for social fitness.