Indoor climbing presents a unique challenge when it comes to tracking. Spanish startup Lizcore emerged as a notable entity earlier this year at MWC. Led by CEO Edgar Casanovas Lorente, a former climbing instructor and now an entrepreneur, along with his team, they are aiming to bring social gamification to climbing gyms. Just imagine climbers effortlessly tracking their sport with a lightweight fabric NFC bracelet instead of carrying a mobile or bulky device. This bracelet works in harmony with smart base units and top-out holds, enabling route stats to be captured and progress to be monitored in their app.

Revolutionize Indoor Climbing with Lizcore's Tech

Tracking Indoor Climbing with Lizcore's NFC Bracelet

Indoor climbing has long been a sport that's difficult to accurately track. Lizcore's solution is a lightweight NFC bracelet that climbers can wear. This simple yet effective device eliminates the need for climbers to carry additional equipment while climbing. It seamlessly integrates with smart base units and top-out holds, allowing for precise tracking of routes and progress. With this system, climbers can focus solely on their ascent without the hassle of managing multiple devices. It's a game-changer for the indoor climbing community, providing a more convenient and efficient way to monitor and improve their climbing skills.

Moreover, the NFC bracelet works in conjunction with Lizcore's app, which displays route stats and allows climbers to track their progress over time. This provides valuable feedback and motivation for climbers, helping them set goals and strive for improvement. The integration of the bracelet and the app creates a seamless experience that enhances the overall climbing experience.

Raising Funds for Commercialization

A few months have passed since Lizcore first caught TechCrunch's attention, and the startup has now raised a pre-seed funding round. They have managed to secure a total of €600,000 (approximately $630,000 at current exchange rates). This funding comes from a diverse group of investors and business angels, including Startup Wise Guys and individual and business backers from the sector. In addition to the cash injection, they have also received a chunk of state support in the form of an interest-free loan of €200,000 and some grants. This financial boost will enable Lizcore to continue developing and commercializing their hardware, bringing their innovative tracking system to more climbing gyms.

The team's efforts in raising funds demonstrate the potential and market demand for their technology. With the necessary resources in place, they can focus on refining their hardware, expanding their customer base, and ultimately making indoor climbing more accessible and enjoyable for climbers worldwide.

First Local Customer and Demo Event

Lizcore recently signed their first local customer, a climbing gym called Drac de Pedra in Rubí. They held a demo event of their route tracking tech earlier this month, and the gym is eager to install the full system. Initially, they will start with 30 routes, which means 10 devices. This is a significant milestone for Lizcore, as it showcases the real-world application of their technology and validates their approach.

The partnership with Drac de Pedra is a testament to the potential of Lizcore's system. It provides an opportunity for climbers to experience the benefits of social gamification and accurate tracking firsthand. As more climbing gyms adopt Lizcore's technology, the indoor climbing community will benefit from enhanced experiences and improved safety.

Improving Autobelay Safety with Lizcore's System

For non-climbers, autobelays are devices installed at the top of climbing routes to allow climbers to ascend without a belayer. However, there have been tragic incidents where climbers have forgotten to clip themselves in or clipped the carabiner to the wrong part of the harness. Lizcore has come up with a smart solution to address these safety risks.

By holding credentials digitally on the NFC band that climbers wear for route tracking, Lizcore ensures that climbers without the necessary digital credential cannot access the autobelays. A smart locking system prevents the webbing/rope from being released until the correct credential is presented. Additionally, cameras installed in conjunction with Lizcore base units analyze footage of climbers at the start of the route using AI software to detect if they are correctly clipped in. Another camera facing up at the route itself is trained to detect if a climber is climbing without being clipped in and triggers an alarm if necessary.

Lizcore's focus on autobelay safety is crucial, as there are several deaths each year due to autobelay accidents. Their system provides an extra layer of security, complementing the route tracking hardware. By getting the AI software right and continuously improving its accuracy, Lizcore aims to make autobelays safer and reduce the risk of accidents in climbing gyms.

Expanding the Team and Future Plans

Lizcore's original team of two co-founders has grown to nine people as they expand their efforts to showcase the system, refine the hardware, and attract more gyms to invest. The team is working tirelessly to ensure the success of their technology and bring it to a wider audience.

On the hardware side, Lizcore's autobelay safety system is designed to work with various brands of autobelay machines, including newer devices with retractable rope. This versatility allows them to reach a broader market and provide solutions for different climbing gyms. As they continue to develop and improve their system, the future looks bright for Lizcore and the indoor climbing community.

ESPN's 45th anniversary party was a remarkable event filled with both organized chaos and heartwarming moments. It took us back to the network's early days and showcased the incredible growth and evolution it has undergone.

Celebrating 45 Years of ESPN's Success and Legacy

ESPN's First Days: Organized Chaos

In 1979 at SportsCenter, the nearly 400 current and former employees gathered in Bristol, Connecticut. The planned group picture and panel discussion were no easy tasks. It took several minutes of pleading just to get a half-filled photo. Veteran anchor Bob Ley struggled to get everyone's attention for the panel. Finally, Kevin "Serge" Mihaly had to go into the crowd and drag Chris Berman to his seat. This scene set the tone for the evening, showing the challenges of bringing such a large group together.During the panel, George Grande shared the significance of the night. He emphasized that they were celebrating the people in the room rather than trophies or awards. Chris Berman, when it was his turn to speak, became animated and recalled a poignant moment in his life. His wife's death in a car accident in 2017 was a reminder of the sense of family at ESPN.

Early Challenges and Innovations

Starting with just two satellite dishes in 1979, ESPN faced the challenge of finding enough sports for 24 hours of programming. Steve Bornstein, who was president from 1990 to 1999, recalled taking chances and making tough decisions. One such decision was cutting into the America's Cup race, which was met with criticism but proved to be the right call. They were writing the book as they went along, constantly adapting and innovating.In the early days, the crew worked virtually nonstop. After a long night, they would unwind by drinking beer in the parking lot. They were young and had a strong work ethic, with their social lives centered around each other.

Notable Personalities and Moments

Andrea Kremer, ESPN's first female correspondent, bounced around the room with energy. She shared her experiences, such as covering the Chicago White Sox's "turn back the clock" day and giving birth four days before the Super Bowl. She emphasized the risks and fun they had back then.Ley's most memorable moment at ESPN was covering game three of the 1989 World Series in San Francisco. When a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck, they were in the ballpark but managed to get the news out quickly. This showed their nimbleness and understanding of the importance of reporting on more than just sports.Berman, who joined ESPN a month after its launch, recalled the early days with a skeleton crew. They worked hard and had a simple social life centered around their work.

Present Challenges and Changes

Today, ESPN has grown significantly, with 3,600 people at its main campus in Bristol and more than 9,500 worldwide. However, the business has changed with cord cutters and new competition. Jimmy Pitaro is trying to shake up the network by making bold moves like making Pat McAfee the highest-paid employee and pursuing new rights deals.There have also been personal losses within the ESPN family. In the last 18 months, they have lost beloved producer Barry Sacks and researcher/trivia guru Howie Schwab, as well as NFL reporter Chris Mortensen. These losses have been felt deeply.

The Impact of Key Figures

George Bodenheimer played a crucial role in growing ESPN's revenue and securing rights. Ashley Benedict remembered his welcoming gesture on her first day, which changed her life. John Walsh infused the network with a journalistic mentality, reinventing SportsCenter and creating the ESPYs. His influence is still felt today.Even today, Kremer is still remembered by people on the street. She said ESPN is like a fraternity or sorority that you have for life.