Israeli machine learning startup Track160 raises $5M Series A to revolutionize tracking and analytics in sports

Track160, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based AI and machine learning startup that quantifies performance and tactics metrics in team sports, has closed $5 million Series A funding round to grow the development team and expand into new geographies and markets. The round was led by the ADvantage Sports Tech Fund. ADvantage joins a seasoned group of strategic shareholders including the Bundesliga, Germany’s premier football league, REDDS Capital, Aaron Stone, Marc Rowan, among other private investors.

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Miky Tamir and Michael Birnboim, Track160, a young Israeli startup developing a fully automatic football analytics service using cutting edge deep learning technology. Track160 addresses the global mega trend of athletes quantification and offers a new, better way to track players and ball and produces performance and tactical metrics. Based on the players IDs and locations and ball position the system automatically prepares a comprehensive team/players game analytics database as well as injury and roles predictions.

Track160 uses Artificial Intelligence, and more concretely, deep learning techniques, to track and identify the players throughout the match as well as track the ball’s trajectories from a single viewpoint video. As a video source the company uses current market panoramic video solutions or just an array of 2-3 handycams covering the playing field and mounted at a single installation point.

Track160 has developed a fully automated tracking solution for professional and amateur football teams. The company’s state of the art system uses simple portable cameras that can be set up at a single venue location to identify and track the players and ball in 3D throughout the match. This unique accuracy allows the company to deliver detailed insights on player fitness and a team’s tactical performance.

Track160’s CEO Doron Houminer said, “Professional clubs and athletes have long benefited from experts input during training and gameplay. This input is a major driver in maximizing performance and avoiding injury for any athlete. With our cutting edge deep learning technology, we are able to augment these measures and provide a holistic solution, unique metrics and unprecedented analysis to athletes and coaching staffs globally. Our team of computer vision and deep learning experts is only scratching the surface of what we will be able to do in football and beyond.”

“What drew us to Doron and team was their unparalleled technology within the multi-billion dollar tracking and analytics market. The company’s ability to enable affordable skeletal tracking and tactical analysis on readily available commercial cameras is game-changing and has wide application across broadcast and training,” Jeremy Pressman, Partner at ADvantage, said.