Outside Interactive, a Boston-based developer of video simulation tech for cardio equipment and endurance events, has been acquired by Kinomap North America.
“We are thrilled to join the Kinomap team and help grow its presence here in North America,” said Gary McNamee, Outside Interactive’s founder and CEO.
“We have shared the same vision with Kinomap since the very early days, before connected cardio equipment or any of the names you currently associate with fitness even existed. Simply put, we were early. We’re not early anymore.”
(The company is a separate entity to media firm Outside Inc.) Outside Interactive’s US headquarters will remain in Hopkinton, MA, as a basecamp for sales and marketing initiatives. McNamee will become Managing Director of Kinomap’s North American Operations.
Since 2011, Outside Interactive has promoted its patented course simulator technology for treadmills and other cardio equipment, allowing runners, walkers, and other participants to visualize and experience a course prior to race day. In addition to training, runners also have an opportunity to participate remotely in events.
Outside Interactive creates a race day course simulation, allowing remote participants to… ‘see, hear and feel a course on their cardio equipment, hills and all, at their exact pace, even giving entrants the opportunity to break the finisher’s tape.’
McNamee added, “What excites me the most about this, is just how well the two companies’ offerings fit together. It’s European elegance meets American edge. It’s European symphony orchestra meets American Rock Band. It just works. And the races and remote participants are going to love the experience.”
“We’re very excited to have the Outside Interactive team become part of the Kinomap family,” said Philippe Moity, Kinomap’s co-founder and CEO.
“Being based in Paris, with incredible events such as the Tour de France, early on our primary focus was course content for cycling. However, after listening to what people want, we have expanded our offerings into additional sports including running and even rowing, with the idea of making indoor training an outdoor experience.”
Moity continued, “Kinomap is currently in fifteen languages, compatible with over two hundred different brands of cardio equipment, with over one thousand active content creators around the globe, offering over 300,000 miles of course content and growing.
“The Kinomap platform will benefit races who may have a regional presence but wish to expand to a global stage, also becoming a multi-sport event. Imagine someone half a world away being able to officially participate in a local foot race not just through running, but through cycling, spinning or even rowing.
“We are also in preliminary discussions with the technical team for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, who are looking for ways to create unique experiences for viewers, including e-sports and gaming, allowing for actual audience participation. It is a very exciting time.”
www.outsideinteractive.com
www.kinomap.com
