Jason Fass and San Francisco-based Zepp Labs are attempting to take the industry craze in wearable sports technology to a new dimension with equipment-based sensors. Zepp’s flagship product is a bright yellow square, about one inch in size, that attaches to a product and ultimately can foster instruction and feedback through a mobile application. Fass, the company’s chief executive, has prior career stops at Apple and Cisco, including a stint as the product marketing manager for the MacBook Pro. As for the company, it is making a concerted push for the consumer market, signing a recent deal with amateur baseball scouting organization Perfect Game. It also has raised more than $20 million in venture funding.
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It’s not a matter of if, but when, every bat, racket, ball, shoe, glove, etc., becomes digitally connected.”
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Photo by: ZEPP LABS
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On the move of analytics into the rec and amateur markets: As we’ve seen for decades, athletes look to the pros for insights and recommendations on everything from nutrition to equipment. The same is true for sports analytics data. Amateur players and coaches want access to the same tools and data the pros have.
On the future of sports analytics: We expect every major equipment brand to have a line of connected products within the next five years. These products, combined with stand-alone sensors and other wearable technology, have the potential to radically improve the way athletes practice and play. We’re building the platform to make it all possible.
On the key unanswered questions in sports analytics: Since no two athletes are identical, one of the key aspects of our platform is that we help our athletes discover what works best for them, and then guide them to improve, be more consistent, and avoid injury.
On dealing with the venture capital community: We’ve been fortunate to have investors who have helped us, beyond their capital investment, with everything from recruiting to strategic partnerships and even identifying potential future investors. We also have their full support to build a world-class brand with a long-term vision rather than being pushed for a quick exit.
