Carv closes $2.5 million Series A capital raise to lead the digital revolution in ski instruction 

Democratising tuition and unlocking better technique for the 110 million skiers not served by traditional coaching. 

London, United Kingdom, 16 February 2021 — Sports technology pioneer, Carv has closed a $2.5 million Series A capital raise to further accelerate the digitisation of skiing instruction. 

Carv is a digital ski coach that uses motion and pressure sensing hardware that retrofits to any ski boot to drive real-time audio coaching and detailed in-app analysis. Carv creates a new paradigm in consumer sports education, centred around the skier, to provide fun, personalised, data-driven, digital instruction. The resulting accelerated, additive learning experience, enables skiers to access more of the mountain and get the most out of their time on the slopes without breaking the bank. 

Global investors were among those who backed the London based startup in its Series A. Sydney / Shanghai based Artesian Investments led the round, with participation from New York SOS Venture’s, Europe’s FastVentures and a wide network of angel investors. 

The start-up burst on to the scene following its Kickstarter campaign in 2016 – breaking the record for sports wearables on the platform – and has since seen rapid growth in both the United States and Europe. The company is focused on a ‘direct-to-consumer’ model whereby all products are sold through their website, getcarv.com. Within a year, the team has expanded from 15 to 30, headquartered in London with operations in Innsbruck, Austria and Shenzhen, China. 

Jamie Grant, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer said: 

“This investment represents an incredibly exciting step towards our vision to become the de facto product to improve skiing technique. Skiing is a difficult sport to learn, and 88% of skiers stop lessons after less than 1 week – Carv offers a convenient and fun experience to continue learning. The pandemic has only accelerated the adoption of Carv’s digital ski instruction with us seeing over a 100% year-on-year growth for

2020 Q4. We are excited to be rapidly expanding our user base as the additional data helps us build an ever better coaching system. We are proud to welcome back our existing investors and see their continued support for our vision to deliver digital sports coaching. This is just the start for Carv, and we look forward to the next stage of growth and innovation.” 

Alexander Hoye – CEO of Faction Skis 

“Carv embodies the combination of sensor technology, machine learning, personalised engagement and network effects that can impact and improve our daily lives. It’s a real game-changer for skiers and has revolutionised the way winter sports are carried out especially in the current climate where interaction is limited. 

The technology behind the system is sophisticated, with 48 of the highest-grade pressure sensors in each insert. Add to this the three accelerometers, the three gyroscopes and the three magnetometers, and the team has packed a lot into a remarkably thin insert compatible with any ski boot. As with any successful business, it’s the team that truly stands out. They are committed, savvy and dedicated to change how personalised coaching is delivered.” 

Luke Faye – Artesian Investments 

“Artesian is thrilled to join forces with the Carv team by leading their Series A. What they’ve achieved so far is nothing short of remarkable. The Carv digital ski coach leads the field in the emerging digital sports instruction category, with the product effortlessly blending both hardware and software to create a unique learning experience. People all over the world love Carv, and we are only at the beginning of the journey.” 

Recently, Carv released the 4.0 software upgrade, further improving the real-time feedback experience. As it continues to grow its user base, Carv’s instruction AI learns from millions of skiing turns and feedback events generated by its users to create an ever better teaching experience, giving consumers unrivalled insights to improve their skiing technique. 

-ENDS 

About Carv 

Carv is a passionate group of ski-obsessed scientists, engineers, and creatives dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment of skiing. Carv launched on Kickstarter in 2016, raising $275,000 and breaking the record for sports wearable on the platform. In December 2017, they shipped their first product and have been featured by the New York Times, The Financial Times, WIRED, and many more. Since launch, over 15,000 skiers have experienced Carv’s digital coaching. Carv retails for $349 USD, £349 GBP.