Sportsbox AI, a tech startup based in Bellevue, Washington, gained attention in the sports world when golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau credited the company for helping support his recent success at the U.S. Open tournament. The 4-year-old company has developed motion capture technology that creates a detailed 3D model of a golf swing and measures hundreds of data points from videos recorded by a smartphone. DeChambeau used the app to analyze his swing data a week before the tournament, make necessary adjustments, and ultimately win the U.S. Open. This endorsement from DeChambeau has propelled Sportsbox AI to expand its reach and get its app into the hands of more golfers.
Initially, Sportsbox AI focused on selling its app to coaches who could utilize it during instruction with students. However, the company aims to make its technology accessible to all golfers, regardless of skill level, by allowing anyone to download the app and assess their own swing. With the goal of making the app educational yet useful for the average golfer, Sportsbox AI’s CEO, Jeehae Lee, who has a background in professional golf and previously worked at TopGolf, is leading the charge in democratizing access to swing analysis technology.
As an avid golfer interested in experiencing Sportsbox AI’s technology firsthand, the author visited Evergreen Golf Club, an indoor golf center near Seattle that uses Sportsbox as a teaching tool. The app, which measures various aspects of a golfer’s swing such as chest turn and pelvis sway, aims to help instructors identify root cause issues efficiently and provide actionable feedback. After recording swings and viewing the 3D model on the app, instructors were able to make specific recommendations for improvement, demonstrating the potential of technology-enhanced coaching in the sport.
Despite the benefits of utilizing Sportsbox AI to analyze and improve one’s golf swing, the author found the data-heavy nature of the app a bit challenging to interpret without the guidance of experienced instructors. While the app may have a learning curve for individual golfers, especially those new to swing analysis technology, the support and insights provided by professional coaches can enhance the overall user experience. Additionally, it is noted that Sportsbox AI faces competition from other smartphone apps leveraging AI and swing analysis to help golfers enhance their performance.
With over 100,000 golfers and thousands of coaches currently using the app, Sportsbox AI has established a revenue model that includes fees for coaches and premium options for consumers. The company has also secured partnerships with broadcasters like Sky Sports and Golf Channel, as well as golf instruction centers, to expand its reach within the golf community. Looking beyond golf, Sportsbox AI is exploring applications for its technology in baseball and has attracted investment from Elysian Park Ventures, led by the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, indicating potential growth and diversification opportunities for the startup.
Founded out of AI Thinktank by tech veterans Mike Kennewick and Rich Kennewick, Sportsbox AI has raised over $9 million in funding and employs around 20 people. The company’s CTO and co-founder, Samuel Menaker, who previously held a leadership role at Voicebox Technologies, is spearheading the technical development of Sportsbox AI’s motion capture technology. With a strong foundation in AI and sports technology, coupled with endorsements from high-profile figures like Bryson DeChambeau, Sportsbox AI is poised to continue innovating in the sports analytics space and expanding its offerings to serve a broader audience of athletes and coaches.
