SportAI, an artificial intelligence-powered software platform that provides technique analysis for racket sports players, has acquired padel-focused analytics company Padelytics. Terms were not disclosed. The deal combines SportAI’s biomechanical analysis capabilities with Padelytics’ video-based technology for collecting padel match stats and highlights, which is used by padel clubs in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. SportAI CEO Lauren Pedersen told SBJ that Padelytics’ four-person staff will now join SportAI, including the startup’s Co-Founder/CEO Nenad Zivic as Chief Product & Technology Officer.
“They [Padelytics] have been focused on the padel world first -- but have had a similar, aligned vision along the lines of bringing in AI to racket sports,” Pedersen said. “By combining forces here, we think that we’ve got a great offering to the market.”
SportAI was founded in 2023 and has raised $5.7M to date, with investment from the likes of ATP star Casper Ruud, chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Nordic venture capital firm VC Skyfall Ventues. It sells its technology as an integration to other software providers (e.g., video app Save My Play, court booking platform MATCHi), with features in the market for tennis/padel and pickleball coming soon, Pedersen said.
