Indoor climbing is evolving, and the birth of startups aimed at enhancing this sport is a testament to its growing popularity. Spanish company Lizcore has notably stepped into the arena, aiming to tackle the inherent challenges of tracking and enhancing the climbing experience. Their innovative approach blends technology with safety, promising to elevate indoor climbing to new heights.
The Need for Innovation in Indoor Climbing
Indoor climbing presents unique challenges, particularly in terms of tracking performance and ensuring participant safety. Climbers often grapple with measuring their progress while gyms maintain strict safety protocols to avoid accidents. This dual challenge has been fascinatingly addressed by Lizcore, a startup making waves in the climbing community. Founded by Edgar Casanovas Lorente and Marçal Juan, both of whom have rich backgrounds in climbing and entrepreneurship, Lizcore is focused on merging digital solutions with physical engagement in the climbing environment.
The key to their proposal lies in a seemingly simple yet effective solution—a lightweight NFC bracelet that climbers wear. Unlike traditional methods that require bulky smartphones or cumbersome devices, this unobtrusive wearable allows climbers to focus entirely on their ascent. The smart base units and top-out holds work in tandem with the bracelet, capturing data on climbing routes and enabling users to review their progress through a dedicated app. This layer of gamification is what Lizcore envisions will resemble the dynamics seen in other sports.
Fundraising and Growing Partnerships
Fast forward to recent developments, Lizcore successfully raised a pre-seed funding round, amassing around €600,000 (approximately $630,000). This financial backing stems from an array of investors, including venture capital firms and business angels, along with state support in the form of interest-free loans and grants. Such strong financial validation reinforces the value of their product in the eyes of the climbing community.
Additionally, Lizcore’s first commercial partnership with Drac de Pedra—a climbing gym in Catalonia—signals the practicality and demand for their system. The gym’s initial commitment to implement the technology for 30 climbing routes highlights trust in Lizcore’s capability to blend tracking with gamified experiences.
At the forefront of Lizcore’s agenda is the development of an advanced autobelay safety device. As climbing gyms become increasingly popular, the safety risks associated with autonomous climbing equipment remain a growing concern. Accidents can occur when climbers forget to clip in or attach themselves incorrectly to the autobelay systems. Recognizing this, Lizcore aims to enhance security through intelligent automation.
The startup’s innovative system would digitally integrate climbing credentials into the NFC bracelet. This could prevent climbers without proper training from accessing potentially hazardous equipment. The autobelay’s locks would only release the climbing rope when a climber possesses the appropriate credential, a safeguard that directly addresses current gaps in monitoring safety compliance in gyms.
Furthermore, Lizcore plans to utilize AI technology in conjunction with camera systems to help monitor climber safety in real-time. These innovative monitoring solutions can identify whether a climber is properly clipped in, thereby providing an added layer of safety. With an emphasis on machine learning, Lizcore envisions a system that, while not infallible, effectively reduces risks through a multi-layered security approach.
With a growing team of nine staff members, Lizcore is committed to refining its hardware and software solutions while simultaneously expanding its market presence among climbing gyms. Their focus on both safety and user engagement through gamification sets them apart from traditional climbing technologies. As climbing becomes increasingly integrated with technology, Lizcore is strategically positioning itself to lead this shift.
In the coming months, the focus remains on the successful deployment of the autobelay safety device, while remaining adaptable to feedback and evolving industry needs. Lizcore is not just introducing a product; they are setting a new standard for what indoor climbing can and should be—a safer, digital, and inherently more engaging activity.
Lizcore exemplifies the innovative spirit needed to bridge technology and sports. By addressing safety concerns while enhancing the climber’s experience, they are at the helm of a transformation that could redefine indoor climbing. As they navigate the complexities of hardware development and market integration, the climbing community watches with eagerness, hopeful for a safer and more immersive climbing experience.