Dear colleague,
The week of June 16 we were in Florida to catch up with local teams and practitioners (Inter Miami FC/MLS, Orlando City SC/MLS, Stefan Valdes’ movement lab, NCAA, NBA..) to discuss the latest trends in training, recovery, and innovation. You can see the pictures of our visits below.
Picture: Orlando City SC (MLS)’s training facility, Orlando FL, June 2025
Picture: Inter Miami fc (MLS)’s stadium, Fort Lauderdale FL, June 2025
Picture: Stefan Valdes’s movement lab facility in Florida, June 2025
We also attended 2025 PHATS. It was a great opportunity to catch up with NHL teams, vendors, local partners and performance training facilities. So here is our recap:
PHATS is the go to NHL S&C coach conference for sports tech startups seeking to break into the NHL
The PHATS Annual Conference is not only the go-to event for NHL strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers, and performance staff — it’s also a critical conference for sports tech startups aiming to break into professional hockey. With nearly every NHL team represented, PHATS offers startups a rare opportunity to showcase their products directly to the key decision-makers who influence purchasing and implementation of new technologies. Whether it’s advancements in recovery, wearable tracking, load management, or injury prevention, PHATS provides an intimate, highly targeted environment where startups can build relationships, get real-time feedback from practitioners, and demonstrate real-world applications of their solutions. Unlike larger, more generalized sports conferences, PHATS is where technology meets the day-to-day operational needs of NHL teams, making it an invaluable platform for startups seeking meaningful traction in the elite hockey market.
In a nutshell, the 2025 PHATS conference gathered:
32 NHL teams
~160 exhibitors
Attendees from the NHL, AHL, NCAA, and CHL attended the 2025 PHATS.
Velocity training, resistance training, Indoor GPS systems, Biomarker assessment, concussion assessment and prevention products, protective gears, nutrition products, remain top product categories among NHL teams
Velocity-based training, resistance training solutions, and indoor GPS systems continue to be among the most sought-after product categories for NHL teams as organizations place a growing emphasis on individualized load management and precise performance tracking. With the high demands of an 82-game season and playoffs, teams are increasingly adopting velocity-based training tools to optimize strength sessions, minimize fatigue, and monitor power output in real-time. Similarly, resistance training equipment that allows for eccentric overload, isometric holds, and safer high-force movements has become a staple in NHL weight rooms. Indoor GPS and player tracking systems provide critical movement and workload data during practices and small-area games where traditional outdoor systems are ineffective, helping teams fine-tune recovery protocols and prevent overuse injuries.
In parallel, the adoption of biomarker assessments (Hydration, HRV..), advanced protective gear, and targeted nutrition products continues to accelerate across the league. Biomarker and blood analysis platforms offer deeper insights into recovery, inflammation, and readiness—allowing medical and performance staff to tailor interventions with greater precision. Concussion assessment tools, both on-ice and off-ice, remain a major priority as teams invest in solutions that can support early detection and better manage head trauma risks. Protective gear innovations, from improved helmet designs to wearable impact sensors, are also gaining traction as player safety becomes increasingly data-driven. On the nutrition front, NHL teams are working with companies offering customized supplementation, hydration monitoring, and gut health optimization to support player energy levels and long-term health. These categories represent where many sports tech vendors are focusing their innovation efforts, knowing that NHL teams continue to seek competitive edges across every aspect of performance, recovery, and player health.
Concussion prevention and assessment tools remain a top priority for NHL teams
In the NHL, concussion assessment protocols have become increasingly rigorous to protect player health and safety. All players suspected of sustaining a concussion are immediately removed from play and evaluated by team medical staff following a standardized league-wide protocol. This includes the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), neurocognitive baseline comparisons, balance testing, and symptom evaluation. Independent spotters monitor games both live and via video feeds to identify any signs of head trauma that may have been missed on the ice. Players must pass a multi-step return-to-play protocol, which includes progressive exertion tests and medical clearance by both team and independent neurologists, before being allowed to return to competition. These protocols reflect the league's commitment to reducing the risk of long-term brain injury and ensuring consistent care across all teams.
Despite these measures, concussion prevention and assessment remain a top priority for NHL teams. The physical nature of hockey, with its high-speed collisions, boards, and open-ice hits, creates an inherent risk that teams are actively trying to mitigate. As a result, NHL organizations continue to invest heavily in cutting-edge technologies such as sensor-based head impact monitors, vision and vestibular training systems, advanced neurocognitive testing, and real-time video analytics to better identify, assess, and prevent concussions. This area remains one of the most active for collaboration between teams, medical experts, and sports tech startups, as organizations seek more accurate tools to protect their athletes while balancing the competitive demands of professional hockey.
NHL teams present a great opportunity for startups to team up on studies and research side.
For sports tech startups, partnering with NHL teams to conduct studies presents a unique and highly valuable opportunity. NHL organizations operate in a controlled, high-performance environment with world-class athletes, creating ideal conditions for validating new technologies in real-world, elite settings. Teams are increasingly open to collaborating on pilot studies and applied research that can provide actionable data to enhance player performance, recovery, injury prevention, and health monitoring. Startups benefit by gaining early validation, case studies, and direct practitioner feedback that can accelerate product refinement and credibility in the broader sports marketplace. At the same time, NHL teams gain access to cutting-edge innovations that may offer a competitive advantage. This mutually beneficial dynamic makes NHL partnerships one of the most attractive and impactful pathways for emerging sports tech companies aiming to establish themselves in elite sport.
~160 sports tech startups were present at the 2025 PHATS Tech Expo
We came across a number of sports tech startups at the 2025 PHATS. There was a great energy at the tech expo with a good variety of startups.
Here is a list of some sports tech startups that we came across there:
🔄 Recovery & Regeneration
Firefly Recovery – fireflyrecovery.com
Hyperice – hyperice.com
Therabody – therabody.com
NICE Recovery Systems – getnice.com
Summus Medical Laser – summuslaser.com
SoftWave – softwavetrt.com
Multi Radiance Medical / Human Tecar – multiradiance.com
Indiba / K-Laser – indiba.com, k-laser.com
Carewear Corp – carewear.net
SwimEx (Hydrotherapy pools) – swimex.com
HydroWorx – hydroworx.com
Prism Light Pod – prismlightpod.com
Kala Red Light Therapy – kalaredlight.com
Chillshark – chillshark.com
Pulse PEMF – pulsepemf.com
EOM Vault (Recovery units) – eomvault.com
SportSense Disinfection Solutions – sportsensedisinfection.com
Sani Sport – sanisport.com
🍎 Sports Nutrition & Hydration
Momentous – livemomentous.com
Abbott Nutrition – abbottnutrition.com
DripDrop – dripdrop.com
Celiev8 Nutrition – celiev8.com
Enduraphin – enduraphin.com
Honey Stinger – honeystinger.com
LactiGo – lactigo.com
Lumi Juice – lumijuice.com
Wellness Brands - The Right Stuff – therightstuff-usa.com
VINIA - BioHarvest Sciences Inc – vinia.com
No Man’s Land Foods – nmlfoods.com
Klean Athlete – kleanathlete.com
🛡️ Protective Gear & Apparel
BASE360 Cut Protection – base360.ca
Zoombang Protective Gear – zoombang.com
Cutshield Hockey – cutshield.com
BUTTENDZ (Grip Technology) – buttendz.com
Diamond MMA – diamondmma.com
Classic Auctions (Vintage gear) – classicauctions.net
Duzter Hockey Apparel – duzter.com
AYCANE – aycane.com
Greyson Clothiers – greysonclothiers.com
Tasc Performance – tascperformance.com
Lululemon – lululemon.com
VivoBarefoot – vivobarefoot.com
Wolf & Shepherd – wolfandshepherd.com
SuckerPunch Pickles (Promo apparel) – suckerpunchgourmet.com
Shotblockers (Protective gear) – shotblockers.com
📡 Sports Performance Technology & Wearables
Catapult Sports – catapultsports.com
KINEXON Sports – kinexon.com
Output Sports – outputsports.com
FirstBeat – firstbeat.com
VALD – vald.com
Hawkin Dynamics – hawkindynamics.com
Kinvent - physio.kinvent.com
Isophit – isophit.com
Athletic Heart – athleticheart.co
NeuFit – neu.fit
Plantiga Technologies – plantiga.com
BrainLit (lighting for performance) – brainlit.com
GPS DataViz – gpsdataviz.com
EZ-EAP – ez-eap.com
Corpus VR / CDM Sport (Neuro & rehab VR) – mindmedi.com
Sportpharm – sportpharm.com
Naboso (Sensory insoles) – naboso.com
🧠 Cognitive, Mental, and Neurological Tech
Bearmind – bearmind.tech
NeuroKinetic Therapy – neurokinetictherapy.com
Corpus VR / CDM Sport – mindmedi.com
Isocapnic Respiratory Trainer – powerbreathe.com (or related tech)
Q30 Sports Science LLC (Q-Collar) – q30innovations.com
🧰 Equipment, Devices & Maintenance
GAME READY – gameready.com
Skatescribe Corporation – skatescribe.com
Sparx Hockey (Skate sharpening) – sparxhockey.com
Bladetech Hockey – bladetechhockey.com
Blademaster – blademaster.com
Blackstone Sports (Sharpening systems) – blackstonesport.com
Puelche Dryer / Corlear North America – corlearnorthamerica.com
Surgically Clean Air – surgicallycleanair.com
Jan-AI Cases – janaicases.com
Pakmark – pakmark.com
Turner Imaging Systems – turnerimagingsystems.com
WOODWAY USA Inc – woodway.com
Sports Laundry Systems – sportslaundrysystems.com
Laundry Loops – laundryloops.com
🧪 Medical, Imaging, and Diagnostics
OXOS Medical – oxos.com
Advanced Myographic Technologies LLC – myotech.com
Conicity Technologies – conicity.com
Enovis – enovis.com
BTL (physical therapy equipment) – btlnet.com
Winback – winback.com
Athletic Heart LLC – athleticheart.co (Heart screening)
AEIR Therapeutics – aeir.bio
Unlimited Motion LLC – unlimitedmotion.com
Turner Imaging Systems – turnerimagingsystems.com
Medco Sports Medicine – medco-athletics.com
Mueller Sports Medicine – muellersportsmed.com
School Health Sports Medicine – schoolhealth.com
🏋️ Performance Training / Strength & Conditioning
Keiser – keiser.com
Exerfly Sport – exerflysport.com
Isophit – isophit.com
UCS Strength & Speed – ucs-spirit.com
VALD – vald.com
Kinvent - physio.kinvent.com
Kinmetrix – kinmetrix.com (Neck strengthening and assessment)
Allen Kinetics Technologies – allenkinetics.com
BULLETIN / Sherwood Hockey (training gear) – bulletinhockey.com
🏒 Ice Hockey Equipment & Accessories
CCM Hockey – ccmhockey.com
True Hockey – true-hockey.com
Warrior Hockey – warrior.com/hockey
Bauer Hockey – bauer.com
Howies Hockey Tape – howieshockeytape.com
Inglasco Inc (pucks & promotional gear) – inglasco.com
Nash Sports – nashsports.com
HockeyStickMan Inc – hockeystickman.com
Fanelli Hockey / Valhalla Sports – fanellihockey.com
JRZ GLOBAL SPORTS – jrzglobal.com
Sickmitts Hockey / Flooded Customs – sickmittsco.com
DaveArt (custom mask painting) – daveart.com
Lowry Sports / Shadow Agency – lowrysports.com
The Skater's Edge – skatersedgesourceforskates.com
TOVI Hockey – tovihockey.com
MARSBLADE – marsblade.com
ProStockHockey.com – prostockhockey.com
🎽 Apparel, Bags, Laundry & Storage
4ORTE Bag Company – 4ortebag.com
Briggs & Riley (Bags & luggage) – briggs-riley.com
TUMI Inc – tumi.com
Texon Towel and Supply Co – texontowel.com
Tri-C Club Supply / Duffy's – duffystriping.com
LM Cases (Custom storage) – lmcases.com
Laundry Loops – laundryloops.com
Custom SkateWorks LLC – customskateworks.com
🧼 Hygiene, Air, and Cleaning Tech
Sani Sport – sanisport.com
SportSense Disinfection Solutions – sportsensedisinfection.com
Surgically Clean Air – surgicallycleanair.com
P.C.C INC Air Purification – pccairpurification.com
Requip’d (repurposed medical lockers) – requipd.org
🧾 Retail, Merchandising, Branding & Memorabilia
Classic Auctions – classicauctions.net
Upper Deck – upperdeck.com
Pro Helmet Decals – prohelmetdecals.com
Kruk Cards – krukcards.com
Cizzle Brands Inc – cizzle.com
Bonderkage Brands Inc – bonderkage.com
Bobcast Athletic – bobcastathletic.com
Beek’s Game-Out Solutions – beeksproducts.com
PlayerKits – playerkits.com
🧵 Taping, Medical, First Aid
Best Dam Tape (Never Made It Pro Stock) – nevermadeitprostock.com
Mueller Sports Medicine – muellersportsmed.com
Medco Sports Medicine – medco-athletics.com
Renfrew Pro (Hockey tape) – renfrewpro.com
BSN SPORTS (Supplies distributor) – bsnsports.com
Collins Sports Medicine – collinssportsmed.com
R J Liebe Athletic Lettering Co – rjliebe.com
🧯 Safety, Air, and Environmental Health
AED US (Defibrillators) – aed.us
Alert Services Inc – alertservices.com
Guardian Sports – guardiansports.com
Coretection – coretection.com
Stand+ – standplustraining.com
Boride Engineered Abrasives (sharpening tools) – borideabrasives.com
🧠 Behavioral Health, Lifestyle & Mental Performance
EZ-EAP – ez-eap.com (Emergency response service)
LifeWave – lifewave.com (wellness patches)
Loogaroo (Sports lifestyle) – loogaroo.com
Cherry Marketing Institute (Lifestyle wellness) – choosecherries.com
Wellness Brands – The Right Stuff – therightstuff-usa.com
While all these startups had interesting technologies, here are the startups that caught our attention and that we decided to profile in this recap. If you are a startup and we did not profile you, feel free to reach out to us at julien@upsideglobal.co. thank you.
1. Athletic Heart
Founded: 2005
HQ: Orlando, FL (USA)
Website: https://athletic-heart.com/
Total employees: 10
Customers / partners: As shown below, Athletic Heart products and services are trusted and used by professional and collegiate teams, combines (e.g., MLS, NHL), retired players associations (e.g., US Soccer, NBA and NFL Retired Player Associations), NBA Coaches Association, Olympic athletes, and Tactical Athletes (US military and Fire / Police) . Notable clients and partners include:
Company/product description: Athletic Heart is a mobile cardiac diagnostic company specializing in cost-effective, customized sports cardiac imaging and metabolic testing. They provide high volume (50+) on-site cardiac and metabolic screenings directly to the teams and athletes allowing team cardiologists more time for accuracte review and interpretations and shared medical decisions. Services include ECGs, Echocardiograms (ECHO's), Stress Tests and Carotid Duplex. Their cloud-based interface facilitates quick turnaround of results for athlete clearance. Athletic Heart focuses on streamlining pre-participation screening, leveraging an elite team of cardiologists, technicians, and physiologists, and a unique athlete database for research. They have recently collaborated with AI specialits in the medical field to enhance their cardiac imaging capablities and quality.
Here is a video testimonial about the importance of cardiac screening. Joe Rogowski, founder of Athletic Heart also explained how he used the technology during his time at the Orlando Magic (NBA):
Of note, Joe will be speaking at our 2025 Upside Sports Tech Summit on October 23 at a world’s class sports stadium in Sunrise FL.
Here is a the podcast interview we conducted with Joe Rogoswski CEO of Atheltic Heart here.
2. Kinmetrix
Company: Kinmetrix
Founded: 2014
HQ: Greater Sudbury, Ontario (Canada)
Website: https://www.kinmetrix.com
Amount money raised: TBD
Customers / partners: Primarily targets athletes and sports organizations (NFL, NCAA, NHL..) across various levels.
Company/product description: Kinmetrix is a sports technology company that develops advanced strength measurement and training devices for athletes. Their flagship product, the Kinmetrix Arc, is a first-of-its-kind digital device that uses robotics, sensors, and real-time analytics to measure and strengthen the neck across key movement patterns. Designed for professional and elite athletes, the Kinmetrix Arc provides iso-kinetic and iso-metric resistance, delivering detailed performance Metrics and insights that offer a new level of visibility into neck strength—helping reduce the risk of injury and optimize performance.
Picture: Kinmetrix Arc
Key features include:
Precision sensors for accurate measurement.
Robotic resistance for controlled strengthening.
360-degree range of motion capabilities.
Iso-kinetic and iso-metric exercise options.
Designed to improve athlete safety, and performance.
Here is a video that explains how it works:
Here is the podcast interview below here that we did with Kim Brouzes, Kinmetrix CEO. Of note, Kim will be speaking at our 2025 Upside Sports Tech Summit on October 23 at a world’s class sports stadium in Sunrise FL.
3. Bearmind Technology
Founded: 2021
HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland
Website: https://www.bearmind.tech
Total employees: 10+
Customers / Partners: Bearmind collaborates with professional and elite sports organizations focused on athlete safety and head impact monitoring. Their solutions are currently used by multiple ice hockey teams across Europe, including organizations in the Swiss National League. The company is also engaged in R&D partnerships with academic institutions and medical experts to validate and expand its brain health monitoring capabilities.
Company / Product Description: Bearmind is a Swiss sports tech company focused on brain health and impact monitoring through smart wearable technology. Their flagship product integrates sensors into protective headgear (e.g., hockey helmets) to detect and quantify head impacts in real time. The system includes a data analytics platform that helps teams monitor cumulative impacts, flag abnormal patterns, and inform return-to-play protocols. Backed by neuroscientists and engineers, Bearmind combines advanced biomechanics, embedded sensors, and AI to enhance athlete safety, reduce the risk of brain injuries, and support long-term cognitive health. Their vision is to create a data-driven framework for better decision-making in athlete care across high-impact sports.
4. Exerfly (Recently acquired by Dynamic Fabrication and Finishing)
Founded: 2017
HQ: Eau Claire, WI (USA)
Website: https://www.exerflysport.com/
Amount money raised: TBD
Total employees: TBD
Customers / partners: Exerfly products are trusted and used by teams across the NHL, NBA, MLB, NRL, Premier League, Super Rugby, Sports New Zealand, as well as Olympic teams.
Company/product description: Exerfly is a cost-effective flywheel-based system delivering eccentric overload for strength and power adaptations. It’s portable, easy to scale across teams, and backed by research in rugby, soccer, and basketball. It doesn’t offer native force diagnostics but is great for high-volume training blocks.
Of note, Exerfly will be exhibiting at our 2025 Upside Sports Tech Summit on October 23 at a world’s class sports stadium in Sunrise FL.
Here is the podcast interview below that we did with Thomson Remo and Chris Chase (Memphis Grizzlies/NBA):
⭐Upside Group Chat with Thomson Remo, Central Territory Manager (Exerfly) and Chris Chase, Director of Performance (Memphis Grizzlies / NBA)
Today we have the honor of interviewing Thomson Remo, Central Territory Manager at Exerfly, a leading flywheel training devices companies. On this podcast, Thomson is joined by Chris Chase, the director of performance for the Memphis Grizzlies, a top NBA team.
5. Sport Sense
Founded: TBD
HQ: Monticello, MN; additional offices in New York & Florida
Website: https://sportsensespray.com
Total employees: TBD
Customers / Partners: SportSense is trusted by professional and collegiate athletic programs, NHL franchises (e.g., St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, LA Kings, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights), MLB, NFL, NCAA institutions, tactical teams (military, police/SWAT), personal trainers, wellness centers, and facilities like the University of Minnesota campuses.
Company / Product Description: SportSense develops advanced antimicrobial sprays and facility disinfection services designed for athletic gear, shared spaces, and high-touch environments. Their flagship invisible micro‑coating spray and laundry additives eliminate odor-causing bacteria, mold, and fungi—and provide weeks-long protection through patented antimicrobial technology that bonds deeply to textiles and surfaces. They also offer high-level facility disinfection (eliminating 99.9999% of pathogens like MRSA, COVID-19, fungi) combined with microbial testing and protective coating applications—used by pro sports locker rooms and university facilities. With a mission to create cleaner, healthier environments, SportSense enables athletes, parents, and facility managers to reduce illness risk, extend gear lifespan, and cut down on frequent cleaning expenses.
Key Features / Offerings:
Odor Shield Spray (32 oz & 16 oz) and Fabric Guard laundry additive for long-lasting antimicrobial protection on gear, clothing, footwear, and linens.
Patent‑pending antimicrobial micro‑coating technology with durable bonding lasting weeks, resisting mold/fungus, and preventing reapplication.
High‑Level Disinfection Services, including pre/post-microbial testing and EPA-registered sterilant for virtually total pathogen elimination.
Non-toxic, fabric-safe, healthcare-grade formula—deployed across sports equipment, locker rooms, mats, leather goods, tactical gear, and more.
Recent Highlights:
Used by over half the NHL and multiple MLB, NFL, NCAA teams; validated by infection prevention specialists with 35+ years of experience.
Testimonials from pro athletic trainers and facility managers emphasize effectiveness against MRSA, COVID-19, and persistent odor from gear & flooring
Recognized as a woman-owned, certified small business offering both product and service solutions
6. Renfrew Pro (Hockey tape)
Founded: 1980
HQ: Renfrew, Ontario (Canada)
Website: https://www.renfrewpro.com
Total employees: ~1,000–5,000
Customers / Partners:
Renfrew Pro is the trusted tape brand across every level of hockey—from youth and recreational, to collegiate and professional. For over 20 consecutive years, every Stanley Cup championship team has used Renfrew tape. The company also partners with national hockey organizations (e.g., Hockey Canada, USA Hockey), and supports a range of sports beyond ice hockey, including field hockey, lacrosse, and ringette.
Company / Product Description:
Renfrew Pro is Canada’s original hockey tape, proudly made in Renfrew, Ontario—a town synonymous with hockey heritage. Since 1980, Renfrew has evolved alongside hockey equipment: from wooden sticks through metal and composite innovations—continually refining their tape for optimal performance.
Their diverse product lineup includes:
Pro‑Blade™ Stick Tape (cloth-based, moisture-resistant, available in solids and NHL/team patterns).
Polyflex™ Shin Pad Tape (elastic, memory-retentive tape to keep shin guards secure).
Athletic & Grip Tapes (under-wraps, cohesive grip tapes for sticks/equipment handles).
Field Hockey, Lacrosse & Ringette Tapes tailored to sport-specific needs.
Their tapes are renowned for enhancing puck feel, vibration absorption, grip control, and durability under pressure. They also produce grips and traction mats as part of their athletic offerings.
Manufacturing & Heritage:
All Renfrew Pro tapes are manufactured in Renfrew, Ontario—a town with deep hockey roots including early NHL predecessors like the Renfrew Millionaires. Acquired by Scapa Group plc in 1995, the brand has continued to innovate (e.g., launching Polyflex™ and Pro‑Blade™ XT) while maintaining its Canadian craftsmanship.
7. Kinvent
Founded: 2017
HQ: Montpellier (France)
Amount money raised: €23M
Website: https://physio.kinvent.com/
Total employees: TBD
Company/product description: Founded in 2017, KINVENT is a leading player in the fields of physical rehabilitation and sports biomechanics producing innovative measuring and training devices for the facilitation of every day and athletic movements. Of note, Raphaël Varane, who is a defender on the French national soccer team, 2018 World Cup Champion, and current Manchester United player, is one of their investors.
Kinvent offers a comprehensive solution combining an intuitive app, KINVENT PHYSIO, with a range of connected sensors, measuring strength, balance and range of motion of athletes. KINVENT solution helps fasten teams’ rehab process, and assess athletes in one minute. What is also unique about the KINVENT PHYSIO app is that it can understand the baseline of each individuals and uses data from 600,000 patients globally to compare individual data against similar demographics.
Pictures: KINVENT 11 sensors in 1 ecosystem
The display of the data recorded by the device sensors is transcribed by the KINVENT PHYSIO App, installed on any iOS or Android terminal. All sensors are capable to assess powerful muscular groups and record in real time, giving an instant biofeedback data on the app.
Picture: KINVENT products in action
Here are some pictures of the KINVENT mobile app and dashboard:
Picture: KINVENT mobile app and dashboard
Here is a video showcasing KINVENT products:
Here is a video showcasing KINVENT’s 3D Force plates, which are 3 Dimensional force plates combined with MOCAP bringing lab-level precision directly to the field. Unlike traditional force plates that only capture vertical force, 3D Deltas measure movement in all directions, providing a complete picture of an athlete’s or patient’s biomechanics. By combining 3D force plate technology with motion capture, it allows for real-time insights into (1) Change of direction efficiency, (2) Lateral movement & performance metrics (3) Injury risk assessment & rehab progress and (4) Sport-specific movement analysis.
Here is a video showcasing KINVENT’s K Power, an innovative hybrid sensor that combines IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology to deliver wireless and highly precise measurements of speed, distance, acceleration, and power in sports and rehabilitation settings.
KINVENT has developed advanced sensors and an application used by over 22,000 professionals across more than 75 countries. KINVENT has also built the world’s biggest database of grip assessments as they have collected between 50,000 and 70,000 grip assessments. As shown in the picture below, many other elite teams such as PSG, the Brazilian national soccer team, the French national soccer team, SD Padres (MLB), Houston Dynamo (MLS), Houston Texas (NFL), UFC, INSEP, just to name a few, are using their product today.
KINVENT products are also used by leading healthcare organizations and universities such as Mayo Clinic, HSS, Brooks Rehabilitation, Aspetar, Princeton University, just to name a few.
Here is below the podcast interview we did with Athan Kollias, KINVENT CEO. Of note, Athan will be speaking at our 2025 Upside Sports Tech Summit on October 23 at a world’s class sports stadium in Sunrise FL.
🔥Upside Chat: Athanase Kollias, CEO of KINVENT, a Leading Sports and Rehab Professional Assessments Company
This week we had the honor to interview Athanase Kollias, CEO of KINVENT, a company that helps sports and rehab professionals assess progress and build engagement and motivation.
8. Kinexon Sports
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Website: www.kinexon.com
Amount money raised: $130M
Total Employees: 201–500
Customers / Partners: Trusted by over 500 sports teams globally, including 80% of NBA teams, European Handball Federation, and elite organizations in American football, soccer, hockey, and volleyball.
Company/Product Description: KINEXON is a global leader in real-time sports analytics and IoT solutions, specializing in ultra-precise tracking technologies for athletes, teams, and leagues. Their flagship platform, KINEXON PERFORM, delivers over 300 real-time performance metrics with 10 cm accuracy and 20 ms latency, enabling coaches to optimize training, manage player load, and reduce injury risk.
KINEXON's technology is sport-specific and integrates seamlessly with GPS, UWB, IMU, and computer vision systems. Their solutions are widely adopted across basketball, football (soccer), American football, handball, and hockey. As a FIFA Preferred Provider for Live Player & Ball Tracking, KINEXON also powers immersive fan experiences and officiating support through its ENGAGE platform.
In addition to sports, KINEXON offers AI-powered IoT platforms for manufacturing and logistics, serving clients like BMW, Siemens, and Airbus with real-time asset tracking and automation solutions.
9. Output Sports
Founded: 2018
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Website: www.outputsports.com
Amount money raised: $4.8M
Total Employees: 11–50
Customers / Partners: Utilized by hundreds of sports organizations globally, including teams in the NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA, NWSL, and EPL.
Company/Product Description: Output Sports is a University College Dublin spin-out that specializes in wearable sensor technology for athlete performance optimization. Their flagship product, the Output V2 system, combines a matchbox-sized Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with advanced signal processing and machine learning to deliver over 200 validated assessments across 12 modules, including velocity-based training (VBT), strength, power, mobility, and rehabilitation.
The system is designed for simplicity and portability, allowing coaches and practitioners to conduct comprehensive performance evaluations without bulky equipment or complex setups. It operates offline and integrates seamlessly with existing workflows, enabling real-time data collection and analysis in various environments, from the gym to the field.
Output Sports has raised a total of $6.21 million in funding, including a $4.8 million pre-Series A round in January 2025, with investors such as University Bridge Fund, Apex Capital, and Atlantic Bridge.
Of note, Output Sports CEO will be speaking at our 2025 VIP dinner at the NBA Summer league on July 15 at the Wynn hotel and at the 2025 Upside Sports Tech Summit on October 23 at a world’s class sports stadium in Sunrise FL:
10. Sparx
Founded: 2013 (Acton, MA, USA)
HQ: Europe regional HQ: Acton, MA (USA) & EU hub (since 2022)
Website: https://sparxhockey.eu
Total employees: TBD
Customers / Partners: Trusted by thousands of teams, rinks, retailers, families, and more than 25 NHL teams.
Official skate sharpener for the Swedish Ice Hockey Association under a multi‑year agreement. Also named the Preferred At‑Home Skate Sharpener of the NHL in partnership with the league. Endorsed as the official sharpener of PLAY Hockey, a leading youth hockey network playhockey.com.
Company / Product Description:
Sparx Hockey is a specialist in automated skates sharpening technology. Their flagship Sparx Sharpener brings pro-level precision to homes, rinks, and pro shops worldwide. The device offers fully automated, Bluetooth-connected sharpening with consistent and grind-specific results—no experience required.
Key offerings include:
Sparx Sharpener 3 & 3 Pro: third-generation models featuring intuitive LCD screens, onboard air filtration, optical alignment tools, and a Pro docking base. The Pro version adds a premium metal/glass stand and extra mounting options.
Sparx BEAM™: Bluetooth-connected Blade Edge Accuracy Measurement device for laser-guided alignment and edge measurement to 1/10,000th of an inch.
Sparx Hockey App: pairs with sharpeners and BEAM to create player profiles, track usage, monitor ring/filter life, set reminders, customize LED lighting, and share edge preferences via QR codes.
Grinding Rings: A full gamut of 16 hollow and FIRE rings, tested for compatibility with all skate brands, including goalie and figure skates.
Innovation & R&D:
Sparx holds over 20 international patents, including its patented alignment system acquired through the BladeScan acquisition in 2022. Their patented technology consistently delivers unmatched sharpening accuracy and has propelled their ranking as the top skate sharpener globally with over 8 million sharpenings per year across 100,000+ users
11. NICE Recovery (Palm cooling)
Founded: 2012
HQ: Boulder, CO (USA)
Website: https://getnice.com
Total employees: TBD
Customers / Partners: NICE’s iceless cold therapy systems are trusted across top-tier sports medicine and orthopedic communities. Early adopters include Steadman Clinic, CU Sports Medicine, New York Yankees, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team, Olympic athletes, and the U.S. military and VA/DoD programs.
Company / Product Description: NICE Recovery Systems delivers precision-designed, portable cold + compression therapy solutions that eliminate reliance on ice. Founder Michael Ross—a former ski racer who endured multiple knee surgeries—launched NICE in 2012 after recognizing the limitations of existing ice-based systems.
Their flagship device, the NICE1, combines cold and compression in a lightweight, easy-to-operate unit. FDA‑cleared in December 2014, production began in late 2015. Since its release, it’s become an industry benchmark, gaining adoption by leading orthopedic surgeons, trainers, and professional teams.
Recently, NICE launched ROCC, a handheld palm‑cooling unit designed to enhance athletic performance. Operating at 50–60 °F, the ROCC rapidly lowers core temperature in ~2 minutes—helping athletes sustain intensity, boost repetitions, and speed recovery.
All devices are designed, engineered, and proudly manufactured in Boulder, Colorado.
Key Products:
NICE1: Iceless cold + compression for post-surgery/injury rehabilitation; available for rent or purchase.
ROCC: Portable palm cooling for performance enhancement between training intervals.
Therapy wraps and support accessories complement the core systems.
Value Proposition:
NICE democratizes elite-level cryotherapy by offering user-friendly, ice-free systems proven to reduce pain, speed recovery, and enhance performance. Their solutions seamlessly integrate into clinical, athletic, and tactical environments—offering unparalleled convenience without sacrificing effectiveness
Of note, Nice Recovery CEO will be speaking at our 2025 VIP dinner at the NBA Summer league on July 15 at the Wynn hotel.
Bottom line: The 2025 PHATS conference was a great conference. It was a great opportunity to catch up with NHL practitioners, teams and vendors to discuss the latest trends in training, recovery and innovation. Velocity-based training, resistance training solutions, concussion assessment and prevention products, protective gears, nutrition products, biomarkers, and indoor GPS systems continue to be among the most sought-after product categories for NHL teams. Now for any sports tech startups looking to gain great traction in the NHL, we would advice them to be persistent and patient as it probably takes a bit longer for NHL teams to adopt new technologies than teams in other leagues (NBA, MLB, MLS, NFL..). But that’s the type of game you have to play if you want to make an impact in the NHL.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Best,
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