What Datasport AG does

Datasport AG, headquartered in Gerlafingen, Switzerland, is an integrated technology and services platform for mass-participation endurance sports events, founded in 1983 and operating across Switzerland, Germany, and Northern Italy. The company serves event organizers of running, triathlon, cycling, and winter sports races with a unified product stack: online registration with integrated CRM and payment processing (TWINT, PayPal, credit card, SEPA); precision timing using MYLAPS ProChip transponders and a cloud-based results engine; live tracking via the DS live web platform, iOS/Android apps, and DS live gold GPS tracking with pace prediction; on-site event expo services including QR-based race bib distribution; an in-house print center for race numbers and event materials; and marketing/communications services backed by owned media including the FIT for LIFE magazine (30 years, 75,000 readers), the SportNews newsletter (500,000+ subscribers, 30%+ open rates), and a 5M+ annual-visitor event calendar. The technology is built around a modern cloud architecture deployed in 2016, REST/JSON and WebSocket APIs for third-party integration, and integrations with Strava, Google Maps, Facebook, SBB, and ERV.

Datasport monetizes through a diversified revenue model: per-event professional services and equipment rental for timing; transaction and payment-processing fees on athlete registrations processed through the platform; custom advertising packages across digital and print media properties reaching approximately one million endurance athletes; an annual myDatasport Pro subscription for premium athlete features; and unit-priced print center products. Go-to-market combines direct B2B sales to event organizers (with named customers including Course de l'Escalade, Engadin Skimarathon, Hallwilerseelauf, and Biel Running Days), self-service registration for athletes, and event-driven marketing at major Swiss endurance races. The company employs approximately 40 people across functions including Sport Service, Development, Marketing, Print Center, and Event Office, and has operated as an independent private company since a 2019 management buyout from the Swisscom Group by current CEO Thomas Bachofner and co-owner Manfred Herz.

Name

Datasport AG

Legal name

DATASPORT AG

Website

https://datasport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Datasport AG is a Swiss provider of integrated event management, precision timing, and live-tracking technology for mass-participation endurance sports, serving hundreds of running, triathlon, cycling, and winter sports events annually across Switzerland, Germany, and Northern Italy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Event Management Platform

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Data, Analytics & CRM Services (Fan Data, Insights, Audience Development) (MPAKAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Endurance & Running/Cycling Training (HSADAAAG), Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Event timing services
• Online event registration
• Live race tracking
• Endurance sports platform
• Sports event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Gerlafingen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Online Registration & Transaction Fees: Event organizers pay for online registration services. Athletes pay registration fees for events which Datasport processes. The company takes transaction fees on registrations and provides payment processing services including credit card, TWINT, PayPal, SEPA, and vouchers.
2. Advertising & Sponsorship: Brands and advertisers pay to reach the affluent endurance athlete audience through Datasport's platform, FIT for LIFE magazine, newsletter (SportNews), event calendar, and social media channels. The company claims 1 million reach, 30-50% open rates, and 90% rebooking rate.
3. Timing Services: Professional timing services for events including transponder rental/purchase, equipment setup, real-time results delivery, and live tracking features (DS live Gold). Pricing based on event size and service requirements.
4. Print Center Products: Production and sale of race numbers, stickers, envelopes, and accompanying documents for sports events. In-house printing, customization, and shipping services for event organizers.
5. myDatasport Pro Subscription: Fee-based premium subscription service for athletes providing enhanced features on the myDatasport platform. Annual subscription model with advanced athlete profile and result management features.
6. Marketing & Communication Services: Consulting and execution services for event organizers including communication consulting, digital communication, media relations, content production, and sponsorship management to help increase registrations.
7. Event Expo Services: Digital race bib distribution, on-site registration, and expo management services for event organizers to streamline athlete check-in and reduce manual processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Datasport AG is a Swiss provider of integrated event management solutions for endurance sports events (running, triathlon, cycling, winter sports). The company operates a comprehensive technology platform that covers online participant registration, transponder-based precision timing, real-time live tracking and results, on-site event expo services, custom race material printing, and marketing/communication services for event organizers. Athletes access the platform through the myDatasport portal and iOS/Android mobile apps to discover events, register, view results, and follow live race progress.

Product overview

Datasport AG operates as a comprehensive sports event technology platform offering integrated solutions across the entire event lifecycle. The core platform consists of Online Registration for participant signup and Timing Services for precision event timing. These are supported by modular services including Event Expo Services (race bib distribution, on-site printing), Print Center (personalized race materials), and Marketing & Communication (event promotion, newsletter, FIT for LIFE magazine). Real-time capabilities are delivered through DS live (live results) and DS live gold (advanced GPS tracking with predictive analytics). Athletes access the platform via myDatasport portal and mobile app, while organizers benefit from integrated CRM, payment processing (TWINT, PayPal, credit card, SEPA), and third-party API/WebSocket feeds. Founded in 1983, the company serves endurance sports events in Switzerland with over 40 years of operational experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Datasport Online Registration Digital event registration platform enabling flexible and fully automated participant signup with mobile-responsive design, integrated CRM customer view, configurable registration fields, group registration support, and multiple payment options (credit card, TWINT, PayPal, SEPA, vouchers). Built for race directors and event management organizations running endurance sports events.
• Datasport Timing Services Precision timing services for endurance sports events using MYLAPS ProChip transponder technology (passive transponders on race bibs or active transponders on ankle/wheel) with 99.9% detection rate, sub-second timing precision, live splits, configurable scoring logic (100+ logics), and real-time results delivery. Includes on-site equipment setup and validated rankings.
• Datasport Event Expo Services Digital race bib distribution and expo management service including QR code-based digital race numbers, QR scanner-based check-in, on-site printing capability, last-minute registration with integrated payment, and welcome email automation. Streamlines athlete check-in and reduces manual processes for event organizers.
• Datasport Print Center In-house print production of personalized race numbers, stickers, envelopes, and accompanying documents for sports events. Uses weather-resistant materials and offers ready-to-ship packaging. Serves event organizers with custom race material production and shipping.
• Datasport Marketing & Communication Event marketing and communication services for event organizers including communication consulting, digital communication, media relations, content production, and sponsorship management. Provides access to Datasport's event calendar, SportNews newsletter (500,000+ athletes), and FIT for LIFE magazine (75,000 readership). Demonstrated to increase registration numbers by over 50% for clients.
• DS live (including DS live gold) Real-time live results and tracking platform available via browser, iOS, and Android devices. Provides live leaderboards, split times, age group rankings, and push notifications. DS live gold adds GPS-based position tracking with pace prediction and finish time estimation using expected speed, route profile, and split times; includes social sharing via Facebook, GPX file export, and Google Street View/Earth integration.
• myDatasport Athlete portal providing personal results archive, profile customization, data protection settings management, and race participation tracking. Includes a Pro annual subscription tier with advanced athlete profile and result management features. Built for endurance athletes participating in events.
• FIT for LIFE Magazine Switzerland's leading endurance sports magazine with 30 years of history and 75,000 readers. Available at sports hotels, sports medicine facilities, and sports shops. Includes editorial content and advertising opportunities for event promotion and brand messaging to affluent endurance athletes.
• Smart Coaching Coaching platform providing training insights and personalized coaching services for endurance athletes, accessible at coach.datasport.com.
• Datasport App (iOS/Android) Native mobile application for iOS and Android delivering live tracking, push notifications, pace prediction, event information, and friend favorites for split time and result tracking during events. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% detection rate for reliable timing at start, finish and intermediate points
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MYLAPScoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for ProChip transponder timing systems. MYLAPS provides the core timing hardware used in Datasport's precision timing services, achieving 99.9% detection rate and sub-second timing precision.
• Swiss RunnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Runners ticket program allowing athletes to receive discount codes for Swiss Runners events through Datasport registration system. Codes distributed via email before events.
• European Travel Insurance (ERV)minorOthersThird-party cancellation insurance provider for event registrations. ERV processes insurance claims when athletes cancel due to injury or illness, with Datasport vouchers issued upon claim approval.
• Sports Hotels, Sports Medicine, Sports ShopsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partners for FIT for LIFE magazine. Magazine available at partner locations including sports hotels, sports medicine facilities, and sports shops throughout Switzerland, extending reach beyond digital channels.
• SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegration with SBB platform for Swiss Runners ticket redemption. Athletes use codes received through Datasport to purchase SBB tickets for event travel.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/datasport.official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/datasport-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/datasport_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Datasport AG