🏟️⚽ Upside Trip Recap: 2023 MLS Symposium & Tech Expos: Key Trends & Takeaways
Dear colleague,
We attended the 2023 MLS Symposium and especially the Tech expo in Fort Lauderdale FL last week. As part of that we had the opportunity to catch up with MLS and national teams and sports tech startups. So here is our recap:
The 2023 MLS Symposium is the place to be to meet MLS teams’ Performance & Medical staff and vendors
In our opinion, if you are a tech startup looking to get into the MLS, the MLS Symposium is the place to go to. At the MLS Symposium we had a chance to catch up with a number of MLS teams, vendors to discuss the latest tech trends in pro soccer. The Tech expo were also a great opportunity to check out the latest cutting technologies in pro soccer. The MLS Symposium tech expo was a great event with a lot of energy and there was a lot of excitement in the world of pro soccer when it comes to the upcoming MLS season.
The MLS is growing in popularity. European clubs are now paying attention
As we noted in a previous posts, the Major League Soccer (MLS) has become one of the most popular soccer leagues in the world. European are now paying attention. Of note there were a number of European clubs attending the 2023 MLS Symposium.
Today MLS is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada—since the 2023 season. The league is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.
Major League Soccer is the most recent in a series of men's premier professional national soccer leagues established in the United States and Canada. The predecessor of MLS was the North American Soccer League (NASL), which existed from 1968 until 1984. MLS was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The inaugural season took place in 1996 with ten teams. MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years, losing millions of dollars and folding two teams in 2002. Since then, developments such as the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums around the league, implementation of the Designated Player Rule allowing teams to sign star players such as David Beckham, and national TV contracts have made MLS profitable. With an average attendance of over 20,000 per game, MLS has the fourth-highest average attendance of any major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada after the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and Canadian Football League (CFL), and was the seventh-highest attended professional soccer league worldwide by 2023.
The MLS regular season typically starts in late February or early March and runs through mid-October, with each team playing 34 games; the team with the best record is awarded the Supporters' Shield. Fourteen teams compete in the postseason MLS Cup Playoffs in late October and November, culminating in the league's championship game, MLS Cup.
Instead of operating as an association of independently owned clubs, MLS is a single entity in which each team is owned by the league and individually operated by the league's investors. The league has a fixed membership like most sports leagues in the United States and Canada, which makes it one of the few soccer leagues that does not use a promotion and relegation process.
LA Galaxy have the most MLS Cups, with five. They are also tied with D.C. United for most Supporters' Shields, with four each. Today, MLS has become the home of many soccer stars such as Leo Messi (Inter Miami fc), Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), and Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire FC), just to name a few.
MLS is also one of the most diverse soccer leagues in the world today. As shown in the table below, there were 82 countries represented in the MLS as of March 10, 2022, ahead of other soccer leagues like Serie A (62 countries) and Ligue 1 (60 countries) at that time.
The Messi effect
The arrival of Leo Messi in the MLS at Inter Miami fc this year has had a significant effect on the popularity of the MLS, Inter Miami and Florida in general. Here are some examples of how Messi has impacted the MLS:
Lionel Messi’s arrival to MLS pushed ticket prices higher by as much as 1,700% in some cases, potentially generating $256 million in revenue for the league.
More than 110,000 fans signed up for Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass on the day the Messi deal was announced, with another 65,000 signing up for the service on the day of his first game with Inter Miami.
After purchasing a $10.75 million waterfront mansion in Ft. Lauderdale, real estate experts believe the superstar neighbor could press home values higher in the area.
Messi has increased Inter Miami's club value from $600M to ~$1B in just less than 24 hours.
Miami tourism could get as Much as a $400 Million boost: Based on 2021’s visitor totals, as many as 1.65 million additional tourists could visit Miami, potentially generating as much as $400 million in economic activity.
The point here is that Leo Messi’s impact has had a significant impact on the MLS and the US Economy and it will continue in 2024 as Messi plays a full season next year.
The MLS is one of the most advanced soccer leagues when it comes to technologies
Over the past 10 years we have worked with a lot of teams across some of the biggest leagues (Premier League, Laliga, NBA, NFL, MLB, Calcio, Ligue 1, Bundesliga..) in the world and from our point of view, when it comes to technologies the MLS is not behind. In fact, we believe that the MLS is one of the most advanced soccer leagues in the world on the technology front today.
Now although most MLS Teams tend to have low annual budgets dedicated to performance technologies, most MLS teams are out in front when it comes to using the latest and greatest technologies (e.g. advanced wearables, AI tools, recovery tech, injury reduction tools..). Some MLS teams are even more advanced than some top European soccer clubs when it comes to the adoption of advanced technologies.
MLS teams are looking for cutting edge technologies but it needs to fit their workflow
Like with NBA and MLB teams, MLS teams are always looking for technologies that can fit into their workflow and not the other way around. If it requires for MLS performance staff members and players to disrupt their daily routine it will be a tough sell. And if the performance staff does not properly communicate to the other staff members, coaching staff, why they are using certain technologies, what the goal are with those technologies, chances are that the adoption of those technologies will also decline over time. And this is where sometimes things fall apart for some of those technologies.
MLS teams are now focusing on vendors who can help “improve” their workflow
Based on our discussions last week at the 2023 MLS Symposium it is also appears quite clear that MLS teams are now at a stage where not only vendors’ solutions (e.g. wearables, injury reduction and recovery tools) needs to fit into their workflow but most importantly they need to “improve” their workflow.
What does that mean? That means that MLS teams are looking for technologies that are easy to use but also that can help them improve their daily routine, their day to day work so they can focus on what they do best: Take care of their players. That’s where we are today.
MLS star players are starting to hire their own personal physical therapists on the side
Another new trend that we saw based on our conversations is that some star players in the MLS are now hiring personal physical therapists on the side. By the way this is very common for star NBA players to do that and have a personal PT on the site.
Some star MLS players are doing that so they can recover faster and get the extra help they need and be more competitive on the field. Moving forward we expect this trend to continue.
MLS teams have tight performance tech budgets but they know how to make the best of it.
As we noted in a previous post, the majority of MLS teams, based on the data from our Upside tech scouting platform, tend to have an annual performance tech (wearables, GPS, HR monitoring, AMS..) budgets less than $100,000 per year. That being said some MLS teams have performance budgets higher than $100,000 per year.
Now as we mentioned previously, for that reason it can sometimes be challenging for many of those MLS teams to buy a third party solutions that costs up to $50k-$75k per year when they have to pay for their GPS, HR monitoring systems in the first place. This is why some MLS teams have decided to build their own solutions in house.
As a result of that, some teams we work with also ended up hiring dedicated staff to build their own solutions instead of buying a 3rd party solutions. They also figured that the cost to hire someone to build a solution internally would be cheaper rather than buying a third party solution over time if they have to pay extra every time that have to customize the 3rd party solution.
The point here is that MLS teams know how to make the best of their performance tech budget. Although they may not have the biggest budgets out there, they know how to find the best solutions (Internally or externally) based on their budgets, requirements and needs.
This is one of the main reasons why we decided to launch (see link below) our Upside Sports tech scouting platform: To help those teams find cutting edge emerging technologies in a faster and more efficient way and enable those teams to see what other teams are using, how they rate those vendors, the price range they are paying for for those technologies, and so on.
NWSL is continuing to grow in popularity in America. Increasing focus on cutting edge technologies
Over the past few years women soccer (NWSL) has experienced strong growth in America. Here are a couple of stats:
There has been a 20 percent increase in season-ticket holders in the NWSL from last year.
In another recent survey of 1,000 soccer fans by Forza Football, 77 percent of respondents stated that their interest in women’s soccer has increased since the last Women’s World Cup in 2019.
Under Commissioner Berman’s direction, the NWSL has already seen significant growth. This year, the league set an opening-week attendance record when more than 90,000 people tuned in to watch matches across the first round of the 2023 season.
By 2026, the NWSL will expand to 16 clubs - and for good reason. Popularity among women’s soccer has soared. According to research firm NRG, the NWSL ranked highest in momentum compared to all other sports brands, including men’s sports.
With that in mind there is a growing interest from teams in the NWSL when it comes to adopting emerging technologies. Now while NWSL teams have lower tech budgets than MLS teams, the interest is undeniable.
Picture: NWSL players
By adopting new technologies, NWSL teams will be able to improve the programming for their players, reduce players’ injuries and improve the players’ performance and recovery.
More MLS teams are looking to work with vendors on their long term overall data strategy
Based on our conversations at the 2023 MLS Symposium there is also a growing interest from MLS teams to work with vendors on putting together a long term data strategy (e.g. biometric data, fan experience, top line/revenue growth..).
Why does it matter? By doing so MLS teams can sit down with vendors and discuss where they want to be in the next 3-5 years in terms of injury reduction, fan experience, revenue growth, etc.
For example an MLS team might come to a vendor and say “We want to reduce our injuries by X% in the next 3-5 years. So can you help us get there?”. Or “We want to grow our top line and revenue by X% in the next 3-5 years, how can we can there?”.
The point here is that MLS teams are thinking long term. They are very strategic in terms of where they want to be, and what their goals are. It also shows how mature some MLS teams have become.
Recovery is MLS teams’ top priority but Load management, Sleep Management, Injury Reduction are also Top of Mind
Based on our meeting with MLS teams at the 2023 MLS Symposium, like with NBA and MLB teams, MLS teams are looking for cutting edge technologies that can give them a competitive advantage to help their players recover faster. To do so, MLS teams can use different strategies such as using sleep aid devices (e.g. red light therapy), compression boots, or optimizing nutrition.
That being said, MLS teams are also increasingly focused on reducing their athletes’ injuries, and getting their athletes’ stronger physically and mentally. Why? Because getting their players fit mentally or physically, fully rested or recovered could help them win the next game.
MLS is one of the few leagues allowing the use of wearables during live MLS games
Another thing to remember is that the MLS is one of the few leagues that allows the use of wearables during live MLS games which is not the case today in the NBA. In fact, the MLS is at a pioneer when it comes to the use of cutting edge technologies.
Source: Upside Global, Confidential, 2023
Because the MLS is under FIFA’s regulation, MLS players are allowed to wear wearables of their choice. It is up to them. There are no restrictions there. For example, many MLS teams use GPS systems from companies such as Catapult today.
They also use camera based data from companies like Second Spectrum. Leveraging cameras and a cloud-based analytics engine, Second Spectrum captures data on the location of every player, the referees, and the ball 25 times per second. Second Spectrum uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to process the collected data, and can calculate a player’s speed, acceleration, deceleration, and shot velocity, as well as advanced statistics like passing probability and expected goals, in near real-time.
Picture: Second Spectrum
In addition to statistical content, MLS fans can see the new metrics and data visualizations come to life in enhanced highlights that are showcased throughout the season on MLSsoccer.com and the official MLS app. Lastly, it is worth pointing out that this season, Second Spectrum installed its tracking technology at every MLS stadium.
MLS Teams’ Growing Interest for advanced biomarkers and wearables in the MLS to measure hydration, cortisol and other metrics
Like with the 2023 MLB Meetings, another key trend that we saw at the MLS tech expos, and based on our conversations with MLS teams, was the growing interest for advanced biomarkers and wearable technologies.
Picture: Orreco’s advanced biomarker analytics solution
As we mentioned in our previous note on the 2023 MLB Meetings, a few years ago hydration/electrolyte sensors were emerging and now we are seeing the emerging of next gen sensors to measure glucose, lactate, cortisol, and more in real time. For example, there are a large variety of vendors providing advanced biosensors. In the hydration assessment space, vendors like LogicInk, Flowbio, Nix Biosensors, MX3, are among the leaders in the space.
Picture: LogicInk’s hydration assessment PCR type device, measuring electrolyte level by analyzing athletes’ saliva in real time.
In the cortisol assessment space, there are a number of vendors such as Dia Sensor, SM24.ai, focusing on that emerging space.
Another popular type of biomarker is glucose. As we mentioned earlier, companies like Supersapiens developed a continuous glucose monitoring patch capable of measuring athletes’ glucose level.
There is also a lot of interest among MLB teams for solutions capable of measuring athletes’ lactate level non invasively. Vendors like Sipla are among the leaders in the space.
Pictures: Sipla’s lactate measurement devices
We believe that there is tremendous value for MLS teams and athletes to analyze biomarkers in order to improve performance, recovery, maximize nutrition, and help reduce injuries. We expect new startups in this area to emerge in the next 24 months.
Growing interest for nutritional strategies and emerging technologies in the MLS
Another key takeaway from our conversations at the 2023 MLS Symposium was that there is an increasing focus from MLS teams and players on nutrition. This is where technologies can play an increasing part of the MLS players and teams’ nutritional strategies. For example today MLS teams have various options in order to help their players maximize their nutrition. They can use blood analysis and/or nutrition platform from vendors like Orreco.
Picture: Orreco’s new app called @thlete tailored for athletes that helps them analyze their sleep, nutrition, load and much more. They can also use nutrition platforms from companies like Notemeal (owned by Teamworks) in order to track calories, suggest meal plans, etc.
Picture: Notemeal’s nutrition platform
They can also use Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems from companies like Supersapiens in order to optimize their players’ nutritional strategies.
Here is a picture of their glucose monitoring wearable device.
Picture: Supersapiens
2023 MLS tech Expo Was The-Go-To Tech Expo
We also attended the MLS Tech Expo and we thought that the expo was well organized. There was a great energy with a good variety of startups.
Here is the full list of nearly 40 vendors that exhibited or were present at the MLS meetings:
AMS vendors: ARM (Edge10), Orreco
GPS vendors: Kinexon
Insoles: Foundation Wellness
Blood circulation & compression vendors: Incrediwear, CEP, Coreshorts, LP
Shockwave therapy: Acoustek, Winback, Aspen Laser, Thurber Medical , Turner Imaging Systems
Laser Therapy: Multi Radiance Medical
Force plates: VALD
Advanced treadmills: AlterG
3D Scanning for injury reduction: XO Armor Tech, PROTECT3D
Thermography: Multi Radiance Medical
Heating therapy: Xothrm
Stadium equipment: Kinematic Company
Red light therapy: Helight, Prism Light Pod
Emergency training: Sports Medicine Concepts
Nutrition: AG1, The Right Stuff, Momentous, DripDrop, Proven4 Sport, Klean Athlete
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@sportscouncilsv.com. thank you.
1.Zetroz
Founded: 2008
HQ: Trumbull, CT (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://zetroz.com/
Total full-time employees: 26
Customers / partners: Pro teams (TBD)
Company/product description: ZetrOZ Systems is a healthcare technology company developing the latest soft tissue healing therapeutics. The company has deep research partnerships with the US Government to develop bioelectronic systems for the delivery of Sustained Acoustic Medicine, combined with activation of Mechanobiology, Pharmacology and Human Physiology.
As a global healthcare company serving millions of patients, our proprietary medical technology platforms are specially designed and formulated for the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, and our innovations are clinically proven to enhance tissue recovery, accelerate the body’s natural healing processes, and relieve pain.
•sam® delivers Sustained Acoustic Medicine safely in the home for the treatment of select medical conditions such as the relief of pain, the relief of muscle spasm, the treatment of joint contracture and the local increase in circulation.
•UltrOZ™ Elite has transformed the treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions in horses, and is recognized by riders for its effective delivery of Sustained Acoustic Medicine
Here is a video that explains how the technology works:
2. Winback
Founded: 2013
HQ: Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.winback.com/
Total full-time employees: 83
Customers / partners: NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA teams.
Company/product description: Winback has been created with the genuine principle of combining for the first time clinical assessment, manual & physical therapy and physiotherapy in the same treatment. Combining each therapist unique expertise with the breakthrough in-hand Winback technology results in a new era of therapy.
It enables therapists to deliver enhanced and faster treatments together with a gentle patient experience. Winback is today operating in 59 countries through 75 distributors, with 7,500+ BACK systems and more than 400 professional teams are already using our technology across the globe. It is made of 50 Winback expert trainers and 500 protocols developed. It already represents 15,000+ physiotherapists trained and 50,000 treatments each day.
Their technologies :
TECAR => High frequency power to boost metabolism / faster healing / analgesic effect.
CRYO => Cooling / heating effect to increase vascular flow.
COMPRESSION => Pression and depression / simulate vascular and lymphatic systems
Here is a video showcasing Winback:
3. Wellness Foundation (CURREX)
Founded: 2013
HQ: Concord, MA (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://currex.com/
Total full-time employees: 13
Customers / partners: Their 85 pro and college programs (including many NBA teams and players), Olympians, Tour de France Teams, UFC fighters, Special Forces – in all, athletes in 40 sports are customers of CoolMitt®.
Company/product description: CURREX LLC was founded 2013 as the North American Subsidiary of currex GmbH, Germany. CURREX provides award-winning, innovative insoles for a variety of activities including running, soccer, cycling, hiking, hockey, golf, skiing and work. They concentrate on designing insoles that deliver flexible, dynamic arch support with the right level of rigidity and offer three different arch profiles for each of their different types of insoles. CURREX insoles are the leading over-the-counter insoles in Europe and North America, with RunPro insoles being the #1 selling insole in run-specialty retailers in the U.S.
Here is a video showcasing the CURREX insoles:
4. Incrediwear
Founded: 2009
HQ: CHICO, CA (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://incrediwear.com
Total full-time employees: 35
Customers / partners: MLS, NBA teams
Company/product description: Used and celebrated throughout the world by top professional athletes, Medical Professionals, Health & Wellness gurus, and more - Incrediwear's wearable technology is proven to increase circulation during activity and at rest, allowing for peak recovery & performance.
Since 2009, Incrediwear has strived to revolutionize the Health & Fitness Industry with products that increase circulation to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, optimize performance, and accelerate recovery. Unlike compression products, Incrediwear products do not need to compress to work. Instead, our technology incorporates semiconductor elements within our fabric, which when stimulated by body heat, release negative ions.
The negative ions activate molecular vibrations that increase blood flow and speed. Increasing circulation helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to the target area, which optimizes the body’s natural healing process and accelerates recovery. Benefits of Increased Blood Circulation Include:
• Accelerated Recovery
• Reduced Swelling
• Optimized Performance
• Reduced Fatigue
• Thermoregulation
Here is a video showcasing Incrediwear products:
5. Prism Light Pod
Founded: 2017
HQ: Englewood, Colorado (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://prismlightpod.com/
Total full-time employees: 10
Customers / partners: Pro teams (TBD)
Company/product description: Prism Light Pod is the industry's most advanced, natural full-body cold laser light pod for performance recovery, muscle, pain and weight management.
Their innovative red LED light therapy allows you to recover up to TEN times faster than your body's natural healing process to rejuvenate your body, keep your mind sharp and full of energy. It's non-invasive, comfortable and effective. High-performing people benefit from increased energy, reduced oxidative stress and relief from aches and pains. They recover faster and maintain the right muscle-mass and weight after several 20 minute sessions.
High-performing athletes, active professionals, business travelers and individuals benefit from body rejuvenation with Prism Light Pod treatments. Leading professional athletes, sports recovery & training centers, fitness clubs, physical therapy rehabilitation centers, integrated wellness centers, pain management and weight loss clinics offer Prism light therapy to improve their clients' health and wellness.
Here is a video showcasing their product:
6. Thurber Medical
Founded: 2017
HQ: Woodstock, GA (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.thurbermedical.com/
Total full-time employees: TBD
Customers / partners: MLB, NFL teams
Company/product description: They are former pro and college athletes with the mission of positively impacting athletes who are affected by injuries and assisting clinicians in providing the best care.
Their focus is on providing exceptional healing technology, service, support, and education for your staff. We supply dynamic therapies and stay in communication with clinicians to ensure they have the best possible impact on the rehabilitation process.
7. The Right Stuff
Founded: 2009
HQ: Boulder, CO (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://therightstuff-usa.com/
Total full-time employees: 6
Customers / partners: High Schools and Colleges across the US as well as by pro's (Triathletes, Cyclists and all five major leagues) as well as Olympians for training and event day regimens. The Right Stuff® is being used by a cross-section of high stress/high effort fields including fire fighters, construction and the military.
Company/product description: Wellness Brands Inc was launched in early 2009 to commercialize the licensed human hydration technology developed by NASA. NASA spent about 15 years in the development and testing process in an effort to prevent the ravages of dehydration in our astronauts due to space flight. The testing included putting athletes through rigorous workouts as they refined the formulation and showed that is was significantly superior to the other formulas tested. The formula is still being used by astronauts during space missions today!
The NASA-developed formula was shown through many published studies to be far superior to any other NASA-tested formula for:
Fighting the symptoms of dehydration including cramps, headaches, muscle fatigue, light headedness etc.
Improving core thermoregulation; which means it protect the body from overheating in times of heavy exertion and in high heat settings.
Increasing athletic endurance by over 20% more than any other NASA-tested formula.
Which is why, even though The Right Stuff has only been available the general population for a little over three years, it has already been adopted by High Schools and Colleges across the US as well as by pro's (Triathletes, Cyclists and all five major leagues) as well as Olympians for training and event day regimens. In addition to athletes, The Right Stuff® is being used by a cross-section of high stress/high effort fields including fire fighters, construction and the military.
Here is a video explaining The Right Stuff products:
8. ARM (EDGE10 acquired Quesd NV in June 2023 and Athlete RMS Inc in January 2019)
Founded: 2012
HQ: London, UK
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: www.edge10group.com
Investors: Octopus Ventures, Guiness Asset Management
Total employees: 90
Customers / partners: 1,000+ sports teams including Major League Baseball and its 30 franchises, National Hockey League and its 31 clubs, and teams across the Premier League, English Football League, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, Australian Football League, as well as NCAA schools, and multiple amateur organizations from the UK, Australia, Japan to India, the USA and Canada.
Company/product description: EDGE10 Group is a market leading powerhouse in Athlete Analytics SaaS. Working down the sporting pyramid from elite sport to grass roots, providing leagues, teams and sporting organizations with the world’s leading health, performance and physical testing solutions to maximize performance, reduce injuries and identify & develop the talent of the future.
9. PROTECT3D
Founded: 2019
HQ: Durham, North Carolina (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.protect3d.io/
Total full-time employees: 17
Customers / partners: 60+ pro (NBA, NFL, NHL, WNBA, MLS teams) and collegial teams (NCAA).
Company/product description: PROTECT3D aims at empowering medical professionals with 3D technology to bring custom protective devices to athletes and competitors everywhere. Top athletes (Daniel Jones/NY Giants, Laken Tomlinson / SF Giants..) have used PROTECT3D products.
PROTECT3D uses an iPad app to create 3D scans:
Here is a video showcasing how their 3D Technology works:
10. H-WAVE / MarcPro
Founded: 1981
HQ: Huntington Beach, CA (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.h-wave.com/
Total full-time employees: 166
Customers / partners: 70+ collegial and professional teams (NBA, NFL, MLS, MLB, NCAA) and Olympic Champions
Company/product description: H-Wave is a multi-functional electrical stimulation device intended to speed recovery, restore function, and manage chronic, acute or post-operative pain. It is a non-invasive drug-free alternative treatment option without harmful side effects.
This technology stands apart from other electrotherapy modalities such as TENS, which only masks pain while the device is on, and traditional muscle stimulators; which use harsh signals and fatiguing muscle contractions to re-educate muscle. Whereas H-Wave is a rehabilitative device that focuses on addressing the root cause of symptoms and providing lasting, cumulative benefits; which patients can feel long after the device is taken off.
Here is a video talking about the benefits of using H-Wave:
11. Acoustek
Founded: 2011
HQ: Atlanta, GA (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://acoustekllc.com/
Total full-time employees: TBD
Customers / partners: Collegial and Pro teams (MLB, MLS, NFL, NHL..), including the LA Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Guardians, SF Giants, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, UCLA Bruins as well as top collegiate athletics and orthopaedics departments.
Company/product description: Acoustek is the exclusive distributor for the Sanuwave Profile. The SANUWAVE Profile is a unique electrohydraulic ESWT device (Shockwave therapy device) that brings clinical efficiency to a new elite standard.
The AcousTek’s Sanuwave Profile delivers non-invasive game-changing advantages for healing and recoveries of the human body:
Profound and fast sustained relief of discomfort at treated areas is typical.
Sustained improvement of blood flow.
Validated to recruit and activate endogenous stem cells.
Remarkably fast recoveries.
Non-traumatic to tissue and cells
Wide-focus 3-D energy pattern treats much larger volume of tissue per pulse, attaining highest clinical efficiency.
Typically 3 applications is sufficient.
12. Multi Radiance Medical
Founded: 2005
HQ: Solon, Ohio (USA)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.multiradiance.com/
Total full-time employees: 51
Customers / partners: NBA, Super Bowl, Sprint Cup, MLB/World Series & Stanley Cup / NHL Champions.
Company/product description: Multi Radiance Medical manufactures FDA-cleared therapeutic laser devices for drug-free, non-invasive relief of pain, arthritis, muscle spasm, accelerated recovery, and more in people. Featuring both desktop and portable in-clinic and at-home models, Multi Radiance Laser Therapy technology is backed by 45+ peer-reviewed, published studies with more in the queue.
Multi Radiance Medical is an international corporation with a presence in over 30 countries and has been servicing customers for 20 years. We are active in the chiropractic, physical therapy, sports medicine markets and growing rapidly within these markets and into new ones. Qualified reps, dealers and distributors are encouraged to contact Multi Radiance Medical. Worldwide, we seek enthusiastic partners interested in growing their businesses.
Here is a video talking about their products:
13. Athletic Greens
Founded: 2010
HQ: New York, NY (USA)
Amount money raised: $115M
Website: https://drinkag1.com/
Total full-time employees: 364
Customers / partners: Collegial and pro teams
Company/product description: Built around our mission, we started Athletic Greens more than a decade ago as a way to bring comprehensive and convenient daily nutrition to just about everybody. Originators of the Essentialist Nutrition movement, our philosophy is to focus on a very small number of products based on what the latest science indicates is essential to human health.
AG1 is made from the highest quality ingredients, in accordance with the strictest standards and obsessively improved based on the latest science. 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole-food sourced nutrients in one convenient daily serving. Optimized for athletes, lifeletes, and everyone in between. Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly. One scoop or travel packet, 8 ounces of water. Every day. That's it.
14. Turner imaging Systems
Founded: 2016
HQ: Orem, UT (USA)
Amount money raised: $1.4M
Website: https://turnerxray.com/
Total full-time employees: 13
Customers / partners: Pro teams
Company/product description: Turner Imaging Systems has a long history of miniaturizing technologies for the healthcare space. Our latest innovation is the truly portable mini C-arm, the Smart-C The Turner Imaging Systems Smart-C is a mini C-arm X-ray system designed to provide physicians with realtime general fluoroscopic visualization of adult and pediatric patients.
It is intended to aid physicians and surgeons during diagnostic procedures, therapeutic treatment or surgical procedures of the limbs, extremities or shoulders, including, but not limited to, orthopedics and emergency medicine. The Smart-C is intended to be used on a table or other hard, flat surface. It may also be used with the optional support stand.
Here is a video showcasing one of their products:
15. Exerfly
Founded: 2017
HQ: Auckland (New Zealand)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://exerflysport.com/
Total employees: 22
Customers / partners: NHL, NBA, MLB, NRL, Premier League, Super Rugby, Sports New Zealand, Olympic teams
Company/product description: Exerfly equipment employs flywheel technology, which mimics natural movements during sports in a way that conventional weights simply can't, allowing athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels to get more out of their fitness programs. Exerfly's speed, constant resistance, and safe overloading is excellent for adapting the body for eccentric overload, stiffness, force absorption, isometric phases and transfer to elastic concentric movements. Exerfly equipment uses flywheel momentum to create constant resistance throughout the range of your exercise.
The momentum created in spinning the flywheel returns a resistance that is both more constant and more demanding than with conventional weights, engaging and building strength in muscles, tendons and ligaments over the whole range of motion. With Exerfly flywheel training, resistance is a function of both the inertia of the flywheel itself, and the input force. Training sessions can thus be adapted to the needs and capabilities of the individual athlete, whether this be intense, intermediate or recovery.
Here is a video showcasing Exerfly’s Flywheel training:
16. Oura
Founded: 2013
HQ: Oulu, Northern Ostrobothnia
Amount money raised: $148M
Website: https://www.coolmitt.com
Total full-time employees: 604
Customers / partners: Collegial and pro teams (NBA, NFL, MLS, MLB, Premier League)
Company/product description: Oura is an award-winning and fast-growing startup that helps people track all stages of sleep and activity using the Oura Ring and connected app. By providing daily feedback and practical steps to inspire healthy lifestyles, we've helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their sleep, understand their bodies, and transform their health. We’re on a mission to empower every person to own their inner potential, and we’re seeking talented individuals to join us on our journey.
Here is a video showcasing NBA star Chris Paul and Oura’s partnership with the NBA.
17. Orreco
Founded: 2010
HQ: Galway (Ireland) with offices in London and Los Angeles.
Amount money raised: $10M
Website: https://www.orreco.com/
Total employees: 42
Customers / partners: Orreco works with Olympians, Global governing bodies, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises, English Premier League teams, Champions League teams, WNBA players, PGA Tour golfers and F1 drivers.
Company/product description: Orreco are pioneering novel advancements in applied physiology, biostatistics and cognitive computing to arm coaches, medical practitioners, trainers and athletes with knowledge and actionable insights to maximize availability and sustain peak performance.
Here is a video about Orreco:
Listen to our interview with Dr Brian Moore, CEO of Orreco, by clicking on the link below:
18. HEADCHECK Health
Founded: 2013
HQ: Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Amount money raised: TBD
Website: https://www.headcheckhealth.com/
Total full-time employees: 20
Customers / partners: Currently more than 3000 sports organizations use HEADCHECK to advance player safety including Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro, Canadian Football League, Lidl-Trek, and USA Cycling.
Company/product description: HEADCHECK’s digital platform simplifies the process of executing, monitoring, and increasing adherence to concussion protocols. Launched from a concussion research lab, HEADCHECK has been built by feedback from medical professionals over the past ten years of partnerships throughout all levels of sport.
Here is a picture of the HEADCHECK Health’s digital app and platform:
Here is a video interview of Harrison Brown talking about HEADCHECK Health:
Here is the interview we did with Harrison Brown:
Bottom line: The 2023 MLS Symposium was a great event. It gave us a chance to catch up with lots of teams and vendors. We believe that the MLS has gone a long way from 10 years ago. MLS teams are just as advanced as other soccer leagues (Premier League, Laliga, Bundesliga..) on the technology front. In addition, recovery has become the number one priority for most of the MLS teams. MLS teams also expect more from vendors these days. They expect vendors to improve their workflow as well. Moving forward we expect new cutting edge technologies to emerge in the years to come starting with more advanced biomarkers, AI tools, and wearables. This is why we are excited about what’s ahead of men and women soccer in America.
Lastly, please note that next week we will take a holiday break and not published our Upside newsletter. We will be back in full swing the first week of January. So in the meantime, we want to wish you and your family some great holidays and all the best for 2024!
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Best,
You may also like: