Science in Sport

What Science in Sport does

Science in Sport (SiS) is a UK-headquartered performance nutrition company, founded in 1992 and based in Blackburn, which designs, manufactures, and markets sports nutrition products targeted at endurance athletes and elite sports organisations. Its core technology centres on dual-source carbohydrate delivery systems, most notably the BETA Fuel range using a 1:0.8 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio that enables up to 120g of carbohydrate delivery per hour, supported by research collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University. The product portfolio spans five categories — Energy (GO Isotonic Gels, BETA Fuel gels and chews, energy bars), Hydration (HYDRO+ tablets, sticks, and powders), Recovery (REGO Rapid Recovery, REGO Clear, BETA Recovery Powder, REGO Collagen Shots), Supplements (multivitamin, omega-3, creatine, nitrate shots), and pre-configured Race Packs for cycling, running, and triathlon — with 100% Informed Sport banned-substance certification across the SKU range.

The company operates a dual-brand strategy with SiS positioned as a premium science-led endurance brand and PhD (acquired December 2018) targeting the broader sports nutrition market. Revenue is generated through a hybrid DTC and B2B model: direct e-commerce via scienceinsport.com with regional storefronts across the UK, Europe, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the US, supplemented by official nutrition partnerships with over 350 elite teams and governing bodies (Tottenham Hotspur, British Cycling, England Athletics, British Rowing, Saracens, England Netball, Aquatics GB, British Sailing, GBWR, Loughborough University). Pricing ranges from £39.99–£59.99 for bundle race packs with 21–29% bundle savings, alongside an SiS+ loyalty membership offering up to 10% off and subscription savings up to 25%.

Following its 2013 AIM listing at a £63.9m market capitalisation, Science in Sport plc was subject to a recommended £82m takeover by private equity firm bd-capital in April 2025, delisting from AIM. In June 2026 the group, under PE ownership, secured a £30m debt facility from HSBC UK Leveraged Finance and Muzinich & Co to fund international expansion, digital capabilities, elite performance partnerships, and science-led innovation. The company has 251–500 employees, no mobile app, and a marketing footprint built around elite athlete endorsements, event sponsorship, and a content-led education hub.

Name

Science in Sport

Legal name

Science in Sport plc

Website

https://scienceinsport.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Science in Sport (SiS) is a UK-based performance nutrition company, founded in 1992, that develops dual-source carbohydrate gels, hydration, and recovery products for endurance athletes, serving consumers via e-commerce and over 350 elite sports teams through official nutrition partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Nutrition

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Nutrition (Protein, Creatine, Pre-Workout/Intra-Workout) (CRADAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Nutrition, Hydration & Recovery Products Distribution (CRAOAJAL)

Keywords

• Sports nutrition products
• Endurance nutrition
• Energy gels
• Hydration supplements
• Recovery supplements

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Consumer Product Sales: Science in Sport generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of performance nutrition products including energy gels, energy powders, energy bars, hydration products (hydro tablets, electrolyte drinks), and recovery supplements. Products are sold through the company's e-commerce platform and through subscription/membership programs.
2. Elite Team and Partnership Revenue: The company supplies nutrition products to elite sports teams and organizations through official partnership agreements, serving as the official nutrition partner for over 350 elite teams across multiple sports.
3. PhD Brand: Science in Sport Group operates the PhD brand as a second brand targeting the broader sports nutrition market, expanding addressable market reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Science in Sport (SiS) develops, manufactures and markets sports nutrition products for endurance athletes across energy, hydration, recovery, BETA and supplement categories. The company sells performance gels, electrolyte tablets and powders, recovery powders, and supplements through its own e-commerce storefront and supplies over 350 elite sports teams as an official nutrition partner. The portfolio is split across the SiS brand and its wholly-owned PhD brand.

Product overview

Science in Sport (SiS) operates a multi-brand portfolio consisting of the SiS and PhD brands, offering a comprehensive range of performance nutrition products for endurance athletes. The product architecture is organized into five core categories: Energy products (including GO Isotonic Energy Gels, GO Energy Gels with caffeine and electrolytes, BETA Fuel range, and energy bars/bakes), Hydration products (HYDRO+ Electrolyte Drink Mix, Hydro Tablets, Hydro Sticks, and electrolyte powders), Recovery products (REGO Rapid Recovery, REGO Clear Recovery, BETA Recovery Powder, and REGO Collagen), and Supplements (Multivitamin, Omega-3, Biotic Complex, Creatine, and Nitrate Shots). Additionally, the company offers pre-configured Race Packs for cycling, running, and triathlon events at various levels (Performance, Tempo, and Endurance packs for cycling). The SiS brand emphasizes science-led innovation with 170+ publications in sports nutrition research, while the PhD brand focuses on broader sports nutrition solutions. Products are backed by Informed Sport certification, ensuring all items are tested for banned substances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SiS+: Premium loyalty membership program offering exclusive benefits, training guides, partner offers, and loyalty points
• GO Range
• BETA
• REGO
• Hydro
• PhD

Products and services

• SiS GO Isotonic Energy Gel Fast-acting isotonic energy gel delivering 22g of carbohydrates that can be ingested without additional water, targeted at endurance athletes.
• SiS GO Energy + Caffeine Gel Fast-absorbing energy gel with 22g carbohydrates and added caffeine (75mg or 150mg) for enhanced mental and physical performance during training and competition.
• SiS GO Energy + Electrolyte Gel Energy gel combining 22g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates with electrolytes to support hydration during exercise.
• SiS GO Energy Bakes Energy bars providing sustained carbohydrate release for pre-session fuelling.
• SiS Energy Oat Bar Delivers 40g of steady-release carbohydrates for sustained energy as a practical pre-session fuelling choice.
• SiS GO Energy Isotonic Sports Drink Isotonic energy drink for sustained energy during exercise.
• SiS HYDRO+ Electrolyte Drink Mix Single-serve electrolyte drink mix sachets to replace key electrolytes lost through sweat during exercise.
• SiS Hydro Tablets Effervescent hydration tablets for electrolyte replenishment during training and competition.
• SiS Hydro Sticks Convenient stick-format electrolyte sachets for on-the-go hydration.
• SiS Electrolyte Powders Powder-form electrolyte drinks for hydration support during exercise.
• SiS BETA Fuel Advanced dual-source carbohydrate fuel using a 1:0.8 maltodextrin-to-fructose ratio for optimised carbohydrate absorption during prolonged exercise, delivering up to 40g of dual-source carbohydrates.
• SiS BETA Fuel Energy Gels Energy gels delivering 40g of dual-source carbohydrates in an optimised ratio for sustained energy during longer sessions.
• SiS BETA Fuel Energy Chews Chewable energy product delivering 45g of dual-source carbohydrates as an alternative format to gels.
• SiS BETA Fuel + Nootropic Gels 40g dual-source carbohydrate gels with added nootropics and caffeine to support sustained energy and mental performance.
• SiS BETA Recovery Powder Advanced recovery blend with 60g dual-source carbohydrates and 30g whey protein to support muscle repair and glycogen replenishment.
• SiS REGO Rapid Recovery Fast-acting recovery powder for post-workout muscle repair and glycogen replenishment.
• SiS REGO Clear Recovery Clear protein recovery drink delivering 20g protein and 21g carbohydrate to support muscle repair and glycogen restoration.
• SiS REGO Collagen Shots Collagen shots for joint and tissue support during training and recovery periods.
• SiS Advanced Multivitamin Daily multivitamin supplement for overall health support in athletes.
• SiS Super Strength Omega-3 Omega-3 fatty acid supplement for anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular support.
• SiS Biotic Complex Probiotic supplement for gut health support.
• SiS Creatine Creatine monohydrate supplement for strength and power support.
• SiS Nitrate Shots Concentrated nitrate shots to support oxygen efficiency and endurance performance.
• Cycling Performance Pack Entry-level cycling nutrition bundle including energy gels, electrolyte products and oat bars for training sessions.
• Cycling Tempo Pack Mid-tier cycling pack bundling GO Isotonic Energy Gels, caffeine gels, HYDRO+ electrolyte and REGO Clear Recovery for tempo-intensity training.
• Cycling Endurance Pack Comprehensive endurance cycling pack bundling BETA Fuel products, HYDRO+ electrolyte and BETA Recovery for long-distance riding.
• SiS Running Packs Pre-configured nutrition packs for running events combining gels, hydration and recovery products.
• SiS Triathlon Packs Complete nutrition bundles for triathlon events combining energy, hydration and recovery products.
• SiS+ Membership Program Free membership programme offering up to 10% off products, loyalty points, subscription service with up to 25% off, access to SiS Lab products, training guides and partner offers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17% increase in energy efficiency
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Loughborough UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 February 2026Renewed three-year partnership making SiS the official nutrition partner for Loughborough Sport's men's rugby programme, men's football first team, and Lightning Women's football team. SiS also became headline sponsor of the Loughborough International Athletics event. Partnership includes student placements, research collaboration, and product development opportunities.
• Ultra XcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2025Partnership to provide personalized hydration at Ultra X Wales and England endurance trail events. Athletes use FLOWBIO sweat sensors to build personal sweat profiles, with SiS providing nutrition products matched to individual physiology and race conditions.
• FLOWBIOcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2025FLOWBIO's Advanced Hydration Intelligence technology measures athletes' real-time sodium and fluid loss through sweat sensors, enabling personalized hydration planning via app integration with SiS nutrition products.
• Tottenham HotspurcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner providing SiS products to the Tottenham Hotspur women's football team.
• British CyclingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner supplying SiS products to British Cycling elite athletes.
• England AthleticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner providing SiS products to England Athletics programs and athletes.
• British RowingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner supplying SiS products to British Rowing elite athletes.
• SaracenscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner providing SiS products to Saracens rugby team.
• England NetballcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner supplying SiS products to England Netball athletes.
• Aquatics GBcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner providing SiS products to Great Britain Aquatics athletes.
• British SailingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner supplying SiS products to British Sailing athletes.
• GBWR (Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial nutrition partner providing SiS products to GBWR athletes.
• Liverpool John Moores UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration developing carbohydrate fueling protocols for endurance athletes. Research found athletes can consume up to 120g of carbohydrates per hour, significantly higher than previous 60-90g recommendations, to maintain energy metabolism and improve running economy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Skratch Labs: Sports hydration and nutrition brand founded by sports scientists, focused on endurance athletes. Competes with SiS Hydro and energy products with a similarly science-led positioning.
• High5: UK-based endurance sports nutrition brand offering energy gels, hydration, and recovery products. Competes head-to-head with SiS across cycling, running, and triathlon, with similar team-sponsorship GTM.
• Maurten: Swedish premium endurance sports nutrition brand built around hydrogel technology. Directly comparable to SiS as a science-led, athlete-endorsed endurance fuelling specialist competing in gels, drinks, and recovery across running, cycling, and triathlon.
• GU Energy Labs: US-based pioneer of the energy gel category for endurance athletes. Direct competitor to SiS GO range, serving running, cycling, and triathlon communities with similar product formats and team-sponsorship marketing.
• Precision Hydration: UK/US sports hydration specialist focused on personalised electrolyte replenishment for endurance athletes. Directly comparable product category (electrolyte mixes, tablets) and customer overlap with SiS's Hydro line.
• Tailwind Nutrition: US endurance nutrition brand specialising in all-in-one fuelling drinks for ultra-endurance athletes. Comparable to SiS's BETA Fuel line in addressing sustained carbohydrate delivery for prolonged events.
• Nuun: Tablet-based sports hydration brand (now part of Nestlé Health Science) serving endurance and fitness consumers. Directly comparable to SiS Hydro tablets and electrolyte products in the hydration sub-category.

Broad incumbents

• Gatorade (PepsiCo): Global market-leading sports hydration and nutrition brand owned by PepsiCo. Overlaps with SiS's Hydration and Energy categories but serves a much broader consumer base with mass-market positioning.
• MyProtein: UK-headquartered mass-market sports nutrition brand (owned by THG) offering protein, vitamins, and performance nutrition. Comparable category but much larger scale and broader mainstream positioning than SiS.

Others

• PhD Nutrition (pre-acquisition context): UK sports nutrition brand now owned by Science in Sport but historically an independent competitor in protein powders and mainstream sports nutrition. Relevant as a portfolio comparison rather than direct market competitor post-acquisition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ScienceinSport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/scienceinsport
• Facebookfacebook.com/ScienceInSportOfficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/scienceinsport
• TikToktiktok.com/@scienceinsport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science-in-sport-sis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Science in Sport