What Velocitek does

Velocitek, Inc. is a privately held, founder-controlled manufacturer of precision electronic instruments for competitive sailboat racing, founded in 2005 by Alec Stewart as a Stanford graduate student and headquartered in San Mateo, California. The company's product portfolio centers on four core hardware devices: the ProStart (a GPS distance-to-line and timing instrument with 25Hz GPS and magnetic compass integration), the SpeedPuck (a GPS speedometer with 18Hz GPS and 30-hour battery), the Prism (an ultralight racing compass with ±0.5° heading repeatability), and the RTK Puck (a 1.8cm-accuracy RTK GPS receiver for automated race management, launched in 2025). Underlying technology spans WAAS-augmented GPS, RTK correction, proprietary magnetic compass sampling, and a proprietary compact VTK binary data format designed for 4Hz lossless GPS logging. All products are assembled in-house in California, with firmware updates and a developer-facing VTK protocol specification on GitHub.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct e-commerce (Shopify storefront), a global dealer network of 80+ retailers across six continents, and event-driven presence at major regattas including the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup, Youth Worlds, and German Sailing League. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales ($445-$495 per device), complemented by accessories, paid repair services ($50 diagnostic + $100/hour), and a recently introduced RTK Puck rental program ($50/puck/day for 2026). The customer base is predominantly individual competitive sailors—from club racers to Olympians—plus race committees and event organizers adopting the RTK Puck for automated starting systems. Strategic integrations with TracTrac, ChartedSails, Sail Njord, B&G, and Garmin (via NMEA 2000 and Open Bluetooth Protocol) extend the ecosystem beyond hardware. In March 2026, Jay Leon assumed the CEO role as Alec Stewart departed for the drone industry, signaling a leadership transition into a new commercial phase anchored by the RTK Puck category expansion.

Name

Velocitek

Legal name

Velocitek, Inc.

Website

https://velocitek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Velocitek designs and manufactures GPS-based electronic instruments—distance-to-line tools, speedometers, racing compasses, and RTK GPS race management systems—for competitive sailboat racers, race committees, and event organizers, sold direct and via a global dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Electronics and Marine Instruments

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sailing & Rigging Retail (Sailboats, Sails, Hardware) (CRAMAIAG)

Keywords

• GPS sailing instruments
• Marine electronics
• Sailing race management
• GPS speedometers
• Nautical compasses

Headquarters

HQ city

San Mateo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. GPS Instruments (ProStart, SpeedPuck, Prism): One-time hardware sales of electronic sailing instruments and accessories. Products are sold directly through e-commerce and via global dealer network. Individual products range from $445-$495.
2. RTK Puck Race Management: Sale and rental of RTK GPS receivers for automated race management. Rentals offered at $50/day per puck for 2026 season, enabling fleets to try technology without purchasing.
3. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Replacement batteries, mounting brackets, cradles, cables, and other accessories for existing customers. Prices range from $2.50-$99.
4. Warranty and Repair Services: Paid repair services for out-of-warranty products. Diagnostics are $50 flat fee, repair service is $100/hour.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Velocitek designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance GPS-based electronic instruments exclusively for competitive sailboat racing. The portfolio includes the ProStart distance-to-line device, SpeedPuck GPS speedometer, Prism ultralight racing compass, and the RTK Puck RTK GPS race management system. Products are assembled in-house in San Mateo, California, and sold directly through e-commerce and a global dealer network, with paid out-of-warranty repair services and RTK Puck rentals as supporting offerings.

Product overview

Velocitek designs and manufactures high-performance electronic instruments exclusively for competitive sailboat racing. The product portfolio centers on GPS-based starting line tools (ProStart), GPS speedometers (SpeedPuck), precision racing compasses (Prism), and RTK GPS race management systems (RTK Puck). Products are designed for simplicity, durability, and precision accuracy, manufactured in San Mateo, California with supporting software for data logging, visualization, and race replay. The ecosystem includes mounting accessories, replacement parts, and third-party integrations with charting and analytics platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ProStart GPS-based time and distance instrument for measuring distance-to-line and speed during sailboat racing starts. Features magnetic compass, WAAS-augmented GPS at 25Hz, countdown timer, shift tracking, and 30-hour data logging for session review. Designed for competitive sailboat racers across dinghy, keelboat, and multihull classes.
• SpeedPuck GPS speedometer providing speed, heading, and course over ground for sailing. Features 30-hour rechargeable battery, 18Hz GPS update rate, IPX8 water resistance, ±0.1 knot speed accuracy, and 4Hz data logging with 1000-hour capacity. Used by club and professional racers.
• Prism Ultralight Racing Compass

Quantifiable outcome

• 50x improvement in GPS accuracy (from ±1m to 1.8cm) with RTK Puck
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• TracTracflagshipTechnology or Integration · 7 April 2026Strategic partnership integrating Velocitek RTK Puck with TracTrac Race Manager application. Enables precision automated starting, real-time tracking and replay, and performance data through one unified system. Partnership aims to simplify regatta management technology and deliver better racing outcomes for sailors and organizers.
• ChartedSailscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partner for VTK file format. ChartedSails accepts direct .vtk file uploads and provides GPS replay and analytics for Velocitek data. Also developed free VTK to GPX/CSV converter utility.
• Sail NjordcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partner for VTK file format. Sail Njord provides GPS replay and analytics application compatible with Velocitek .vtk data files.
• B&GcoreTechnology or IntegrationWired RTK Puck supports NMEA 2000 (N2K) protocol for compatibility with B&G marine displays. GPS, compass data added to N2K bus at 10Hz.
• GarmincoreTechnology or IntegrationWired RTK Puck supports NMEA 2000 (N2K) protocol for compatibility with Garmin marine displays.
• Open Bluetooth Protocol (OBP)coreTechnology or IntegrationWireless RTK Puck implements Open Bluetooth Protocol for compatibility with smart watches, phones, and Bluetooth-enabled displays.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• B&G (Navico): B&G is a leading sailing-specific marine electronics brand owned by Navico. It produces GPS instruments, compasses, and race displays that compete directly with Velocitek's ProStart, Prism, and RTK Puck, and is also a Velocitek integration partner via NMEA 2000.
• Ockam Instruments: Ockam Instruments designs and manufactures high-end marine racing instruments used by America's Cup teams. Velocitek's Sales & Support Manager Charles Swanson previously worked at Ockam on America's Cup winning instruments, indicating deep technical overlap with Velocitek's premium racing product line.
• A+T Instruments: A+T Instruments is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of high-performance racing instruments and displays for competitive sailing, including wind, speed, and navigation sensors. It competes directly with Velocitek in the same professional and Olympic racing customer segment.
• SailTimer: SailTimer manufactures wireless wind instruments and GPS-based sailing instruments for dinghies and small sailboats. It overlaps with Velocitek's ProStart and SpeedPuck at the lower-priced club/small-boat racing end of the market.

Broad incumbents

• Garmin: Garmin is a dominant global marine electronics manufacturer with GNSS receivers, marine displays, and instrument systems that overlap with Velocitek's GPS and navigation products. Garmin is also a Velocitek NMEA 2000 integration partner but competes at much broader scale across many marine categories.
• Raymarine: Raymarine (a brand of FLIR Systems) is a major marine electronics manufacturer offering multifunction displays, instruments, and autopilots for sailing and powerboats. It competes with Velocitek in sailing instrument categories and includes the former Tacktick wireless sailing instruments line.
• Navico: Navico is the parent company of B&G, Simrad, and Lowrance, and is one of the world's largest marine electronics conglomerates. As B&G's parent, it is the broader incumbent against which Velocitek's sailing-specialist positioning competes.
• Simrad: Simrad (a Navico brand) produces marine electronics including GPS, sonar, and instrument systems used in both sailing and powerboat applications. It overlaps with Velocitek in marine navigation electronics at a much broader portfolio scale.
• Furuno: Furuno is a long-established Japanese marine electronics manufacturer specializing in radar, GPS, sonar, and navigation instruments. While more focused on commercial fishing and shipping, Furuno's marine navigation products overlap with Velocitek's GPS-based instrument category.

Others

• TracTrac: TracTrac provides race management and tracking software for sailing events, and is Velocitek's strategic integration partner for the RTK Puck. While not a hardware competitor, TracTrac sits in Velocitek's ecosystem for regatta management and is a critical partner for the RTK race management thesis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/velocitek
• Facebookfacebook.com/Velocitek
• Instagraminstagram.com/velocitek
• Xx.com/velocitek
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/velocitek

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Velocitek