Sports technology aims to improve athletes’ ability to be able to perform competitively and it can be used to enhance individual performance as well as the overall sport in a variety of different ways.
Whether that’s providing athletes with improved gear or using technology to make changes to match management, the world of sports tech holds a great deal of potential and could change the way in which humans are able to perform and compete.
The United Kingdom, in particular, is home to a booming sports tech industry, with the total revenue in the market projected to reach a market volume of $98.98 million by 2027, according to Statista.
The UK’s active sports tech market is due, in part, to the nation’s overall success in technological innovation along with its continued participation, and success, in sport. This includes, among other things, football, rugby, tennis, cycling, Formula 1 and so much more.
Naturally, the nation’s keen interest in sports further fuels its desire to innovate sports-related technology in an attempt to help players and teams be as successful as possible.
Let’s talk about the UK’s top 10 sports tech startups.
Top 10 Sports Tech Startups in the UK
Here are the top 10 sports tech startups in the UK that you should keep an eye on.
1. BLOK
Originally starting out as a boxing and yoga space based in London, BLOK has since developed into a hybrid studio and digital fitness platform.
Although the company was founded in 2016, it was only in 2020 during the pandemic that BLOK founders, Ed and Reema Stanburry, decided to move into the virtual fitness space. Their aim was to provide people with a personalised, multidisciplinary approach to fitness that is accessible and sustainable.
In May of 2020, the company started producing fitness videos by means of BLOKtv, and in its first year, it grew 35% on a month-to-month basis. Since then, BLOK has enjoyed partnerships with numerous personalities and related businesses, including Beats By Dre.
2. Coach Logic
Founded in 2012 by rugby teammates Andy Muir and Mark Cairn, Coach Logic provides players and coaches with advanced video analysis.
The platform allows anyone to create and edit footage that can then be shared and viewed by all via the Coach Logic app.
Allowing unlimited members to get involved, this startup, developed by sportsmen for other athletes, encourages increased engagement among players and coaches virtually. Members can view footage, analyse highlighted issues and have discussions about improvement and more.
3. Energym
With the goal of converting human-generated power into usable energy, Energym was founded by Will Flint in 2017.
Energym produces high-tech sporting equipment that is able to convert human power into low-carbon electricity that can be used and stored for future use. This includes things like specially designed stationary bikes and more that can be used to simultaneously burn calories and generate power, saving you money on electricity.
Boasting products and packages suitable for both home and office use, Energym seeks to change the future of gyms, the potential behind gym equipment and the generation of sustainable energy.
4. Find a Player
Find a Player is an app that aims to connect communities and athletes in order to encourage and able team sports.
The idea behind the startup is that for those wanting to engage in team-based sports, whether it’s football or padel, it can be difficult to find others with a common interest, especially if you’re limited to your own group of friends and/or family.
With Find a Player, founded in 2013, people can use the app to advertise who or what you’re looking for, where you’re based along with any other relevant details and find a teammate to join your game. The motivation is to make organising and playing sports as easy as browsing job advertisements, online dating or ordering takeout.
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5. Incisiv
Incisiv uses virtual reality technology to give athletes a new way to train and improve their skills from the comfort of their own homes. The idea behind the startup, founded in 2018, is to enhance player performance by means of gameplay.
These advanced VR tools have the ability to not only simulate gameplay but also track and analyse performance, allowing players to improve their ability. Incisiv’s vision is to make its VR technology and hardware available and accessible to both amateurs and professionals.
6. Inrange
Designed with both professional and amateur golfers in mind, Inrange is a UK-based sports tech startup that was founded in 2017.
By means of advanced radar technology, Inrange tracks the movement of golf balls in order to help players analyse their performance. In addition to analytic technology, Inrange also offers an immersive gaming experience to players, adding a social aspect to the technology.
7. Performa Sports
Performa Sports provides athletes and coaches with real-time performance analysis and coaching. The technology is suitable for coaching a broad range of sports, including field hockey, rugby, basketball, netball, tennis, lacrosse and more.
Founded in 2010, this sports tech startup allows coaches to track the key performance indicators (KPIs) they’d like to prioritise within specific matches and derive analysis accordingly.
Analysis of footage and more can be shared with players online, extending coaching power and allowing players to conduct assessments of their own performance in their personal time.
8. Pitchbooking
Founded and based in Belfast in 2018, Pitchbooking is an online booking system designed specifically for use in scheduling sports training sessions, matches and other events.
Their software is ideal for use by sports clubs, schools, universities, sporting bodies and more, providing not only a way to book training spaces and sessions, but also make quick and easy payments. Pitchbooking provides analytics for users based on their activity, as well as simplified scheduling and management of teammates (or opposition).
9. Rezzil
Founded as recently as 2020, Rezzil is a high-tech virtual reality football training startup. The platform, by means of a combination of its advanced software and VR hardware, runs football players through drills designed to improve their cognitive ability and gameplay tactics.
The drills are designed by highly qualified coaches and athletes, intended to improve players’ fitness, skills and vision. It can be used in conjunction with a variety of consoles, including PlayStation VR2, PC, Meta Quest and more.
10. TrainAsONE
TrainAsONE was founded in 2014 by Sean Radford, a rugby player-turned-runner who was on the hunt for better, more efficient ways to train when he decided to create his own platform.
The idea behind TrainAsONE is to provide users with personalised running training programmes that takes into account their ability, fitness, preferences, goals and more by means of AI technology.
A few key features of this startup that sets it apart from its competitors is that it offers flexible training plans that prioritise a balance of helping users sustainably achieve their running goals with the lowest possible risk of injury.
What Lies Ahead for UK Sport Tech Startups?
The number of sports tech startups in the UK is increasing constantly, with athletes, coaches and innovators identifying issues and difficulties in particular sports and creating smart solutions to combat them.
From VR training programmes to sports scheduling apps, there’s no doubt about the fact that in the context of the UK’s large and growing sports industry, the number and success of UK sports tech startups will continue to grow as time goes on.
