• Nextiles

  Participated · Seed · Jun 2022

  Nextiles combines flexible electronics and patented fabric-based sewing technology to create wearable sensors and a data analytics platform that quantifies raw forces, range of motion, micromovements and other performance metrics. The company is currently in market with baseball and tennis and participates in the NBA’s inaugural NBA Launchpad initiative. Nextiles plans to launch its Nextiles Sleeve platform in the tennis market and in collegiate baseball later this summer, and to introduce a suite of ground force products in early fall for select customers. The company is led by CEO Dr. George Sun and focuses on applying materials science to athlete biometrics. Financially, Nextiles raised a $5M Seed round in this financing and now has total funding of over $6M. Its funding base also includes two Small Business Innovation Research grants awarded in late 2021 by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force for biometric research.

• OMORPHO

  Participated · Seed · May 2022

  Omorpho is an Oregon-based micro-weighted fitness company producing weighted vests and apparel. Its core product line focuses on micro-weighted vests intended to accelerate strength-training results. The company sells direct-to-consumer and through retail channels. Omorpho recently closed a $3 million funding round to grow its direct-to-consumer and retail segments. The new capital brings the company’s total investment to $16 million. The round was led by Chicago-based KB Partners and Thirty-5 Capital. OMORPHO develops Gravity Sportswear powered by MicroLoad™, a line of micro-weighted apparel that anatomically places small weights across the body to help users get fitter, faster and stronger without limiting natural movement. The company sells primarily via a direct-to-consumer distribution model and plans to continue building that channel while activating recent strategic partnerships. Recent partnerships include club distribution with Equinox, a strategic distribution partnership with Carbon38, and content and programming collaborations with high-profile fitness instructors. OMORPHO also announced athlete ambassadors and NFL signings who have been training in Gravity Sportswear. Financially, OMORPHO closed a $6 million seed round at a $26 million valuation and reports total investment in the company now stands at $13 million. The company is tied to co-founders Stefan Olander and Ben Williams and is described in its materials as founded in 2017 in Portland, OR; the co-founders launched the brand with a team in November 2021.

No current team members are available.