GIBBON
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersStuttgart, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GIBBON does
GIBBON Slacklines (legal entity ID Sports GmbH) is a privately held German balance-training equipment company founded in 2007 in Stuttgart by Robert and Stefan, with current Managing Director Robert Kaeding. The company designs, manufactures, and sells slackline-based balance training products including traditional tree-anchored slacklines (ClassicLine, JibLine, FlowLine, SurferLine, TravelLine, BananaLama XL), the patented SlackBoard balance board with spring-effect technology, and tree-free systems (SlackYard ground-anchored, SlackRack rack, SlackFrame/Independence Kit A-frame). All products are made from FSC-certified beech or maple wood in the EU and ship internationally from Germany, supplemented by a free mobile GIBBON Balance App offering 300+ training videos and structured programs.
The company operates a product-led, direct-to-consumer e-commerce model on Shopify, augmented by retail distribution through Intersport, Globetrotter, and the Lufthansa Miles & More catalog across Central Europe, plus an affiliate program paying up to 10% commission. International operations span three hubs in Stuttgart, San Diego, and Tokyo, with the company claiming 1 million+ slacklines sold cumulatively and over 100,000 customers. Revenue mechanics are one-time hardware purchases across a price range of approximately €8 to €470, with no subscription component; ancillary revenue comes from branded merchandise, accessories (Trigger Ball, Marble Core Trainer, Balance Roller), and an optional €14.95 SlackBoard setup service.
Marketing is event-led and community-led, anchored by extreme-sports visibility through Red Bull partnerships (Baylines, Slacklight), a Super Bowl XLVI appearance with Madonna in 2012, and a Guinness World Record in 2011, alongside athlete sponsorships and an AI-powered customer support chatbot (GIBBY and AZUMI) built on OpenAI/ChatGPT. Scientific credibility is supported by a UCLA study validating SlackBoard's superiority over wobble boards, BOSU balls, and foam pads in NCAA Division I athletes, and the ClassicLine carries TÜV/GS certification with a 2-year warranty and 30-day returns under standard EU consumer protection.
GIBBON firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GIBBON
- Legal name
- ID Sports GmbH
- Website
- https://gibbon-slacklines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GIBBON industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Balance Training Equipment
- NAICS
- Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills (314994)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Yoga, Pilates & Mind-Body Accessories Retail (Mats, Blocks, Reformers, Rings) (CRAMADAE)
Keywords
Where GIBBON is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuttgart
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
GIBBON business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Product Sales: Primary revenue stream through the company's Shopify-based online store (gibbon-slacklines.com). Products are sold directly to consumers worldwide with shipping from Germany. All sales are one-time purchases with no subscription component.
- Affiliate Program: The company operates an affiliate program where partners earn up to 10% commission for every successful referral. Affiliate partners include outdoor enthusiasts, fitness influencers, content websites, bloggers, and social media personalities.
- Retail Distribution: Products are also available through retail partners across Central Europe, providing an additional distribution channel for revenue generation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SlackBoard Balance/Sunrise Set - Core balance training product |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SlackBoard Deck Only - Replacement/standalone board |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SlackLine Sets - Traditional slackline products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Slackline Without Trees - Free-standing systems |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Affiliate Commission Earnings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SlackBoard Professional Setup Service |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories and Add-ons |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Apparel |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels11 records
GIBBON product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GIBBON designs, manufactures, and sells slackline-based balance training equipment, including traditional slacklines (ClassicLine, JibLine, TravelLine, etc.), the patented SlackBoard balance board, free-standing slackline systems (SlackYard, SlackRack, SlackFrame), replacement webbing, accessories, and branded apparel. The company distributes primarily through its Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer online store with international shipping, supplemented by retail partners across Central Europe.
Product overview
GIBBON is a balance training company founded in 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany, operating internationally from San Diego, Stuttgart, and Tokyo. The product portfolio centers on slackline-based balance training equipment and spans multiple categories: (1) SlackBoard line - portable balance boards with integrated slacklines for indoor/outdoor use; (2) Traditional slacklines (ClassicLine, JibLine, TravelLine, BananaLama, FlowLine, FunLine, SurferLine) for tree-to-tree setup; (3) Tree-free slackline systems including SlackYard (ground-anchored), SlackRack (rack system), and SlackFrame/Independence Kit (A-frame); (4) Accessories including webbing, stands, massage tools, core trainers, and rollers; (5) Free GIBBON Balance App with 300+ training videos; and (6) Branded merchandise. The company positions itself as the 'world's #1 balance brand' with over 100,000 customers and 1 million slacklines sold.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SlackBoard: Balance training board with integrated slackline and natural spring effect, made from FSC-certified beech wood
- SlackYard
- SlackRack
- SlackFrame
- GIBBON Balance App
Products and services
- GIBBON SlackBoard Patented balance board with integrated slackline and natural spring effect, made from FSC-certified beech/maple wood. Provides compact, versatile balance training for indoor and outdoor use with low-profile design, Lock and Roll tensioning system, and Corq pads.
- GIBBON Slacklines (ClassicLine, JibLine, TravelLine, BananaLama XL, FlowLine, FunLine, SurferLine) Traditional tree-to-tree slacklines in multiple widths and elasticity levels for beginners to pro users, including ClassicLine, JibLine, TravelLine, BananaLama XL (3.5cm wide, 3-ton breaking strength), FlowLine, FunLine, and SurferLine. Includes TreeWear protection.
- GIBBON SlackYard World's first professional free-standing slackline system that anchors into ground using screws without trees. Adjustable height from 28 cm to 43 cm and adjustable length from 1 m to 5 m. Designed for garden, backyard, and outdoor installations.
- GIBBON SlackRack Indoor/outdoor slackline rack system for four-season use without trees. Fitness edition includes thinner line for more vibration, Tera band, and exercise poster.
- GIBBON SlackFrame Outdoor Set / Independence Kit A-frame based slackline setup using ground screws (rated at 4,000 lbs strength) for outdoor installation without trees. The Independence Kit variant is the renamed version of SlackFrame.
- GIBBON SlackFrame Indoor Set A-frame based slackline setup for indoor use with existing anchor points like small trees, posts, or metal poles.
- SlackBoard Accessories (Stand, Trigger Ball, Marble Core Trainer, Balance Roller, Tension Strap, Corkpads, Setup Service) Add-on equipment and accessories for SlackBoard including display stand, Trigger Ball massage tool, marble-guided core trainer, cork roller, tension helper, anti-scratch cork floor protection pads, and professional assembly service priced at €14.95.
- Slackline Accessories (TreeWear, Ground Anchor, Round Sling, Slow Release, Shackle) Replacement and accessory parts for traditional slacklines including tree protection (TreeWear, TreeWear XL), ground anchors, slings, tension slow-release system, and shackles.
- GIBBON Merchandise (T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweaters, Caps, Socks) Branded apparel including organic cotton t-shirts with artistic designs (Bonzo, Aldo, Caesar, Shades, Space, The Call, Lime, Jade), hoodies, sweaters, snapback caps, and training socks.
- GIBBON Balance App Free mobile application offering 300+ training videos, structured training programs, SlackYard-specific content, age-appropriate programming, and balance exercises for all skill levels. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play with no subscription required.
Quantifiable outcome
- UCLA Study: Greater reduction in body sway on unstable surfaces compared to traditional balance training tools (wobble boards, BOSU balls, foam pads)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use GIBBON
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
GIBBON technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
GIBBON partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)coreUCLA collaborated on research demonstrating that SlackBoard training outperforms traditional balance tools (wobble boards, BOSU balls, foam pads). The study with NCAA Division I football players provides scientific validation of GIBBON's product efficacy and enables evidence-based marketing claims.
- Haruki KinoshitacoreJapanese slackliner sponsored by GIBBON who performed at Red Bull Slacklight (2018), executing flips on an 8m high trickline inside Switzerland's Tamina Ravine with lighting effects.
- Red BullcoreGIBBON partnered with Red Bull for high-profile slackline events including Red Bull Baylines (first USA Trickline event in San Francisco, 2015) and Red Bull Slacklight (Switzerland's Tamina Ravine performance, 2018). These events position GIBBON at the pinnacle of extreme sports and slacklining competitions, generating significant brand visibility.
- Mickey WilsoncoreAmerican trickline athlete who won the first USA Red Bull Baylines trickline event in San Francisco (2015), held atop 6 meter high structures. Competed as a GIBBON-sponsored athlete.
- Jaan RoosecoreEstonian athlete who competed in the first USA Trickline event (Red Bull Baylines) in San Francisco in 2015 as a GIBBON athlete.
- Tauri VahesaarcoreEstonian athlete who competed in the first USA Trickline event (Red Bull Baylines) in San Francisco in 2015 as a GIBBON athlete.
- Mandalay Bay Casino (Las Vegas)minorIn collaboration with US partners, GIBBON set a world record for urban highlining at Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas in 2013. Andy Lewis crossed a 360ft-long, 480ft-high Flowline on his first attempt, demonstrating the brand's capabilities in extreme slacklining.
- NFL / NBC (Super Bowl)minorGIBBON products featured at Super Bowl XLVI's halftime show with Madonna in 2012, showcasing slacklining to millions of viewers worldwide in one of the most-watched television events globally.
- Andy LewiscoreAndy Lewis, American slackliner, set a Guinness World Record for slackline surfing 15m above a waterfall in China (2011) wearing/watching GIBBON equipment. He also achieved the Mandalay Bay record and performed at Super Bowl XLVI. He represents GIBBON as a sponsored athlete at high-profile events.
- IntersportcoreMajor sporting goods retailer that carried GIBBON products from early in the company's growth, providing mass market retail distribution alongside direct-to-consumer sales.
- GlobetrottercoreOutdoor specialty retailer that carried GIBBON products, serving the outdoor enthusiast market and providing credibility within the outdoor sports community.
- Lufthansa Miles and MoreminorGIBBON became the most sold product in the Lufthansa Miles and More Catalogue, demonstrating strong presence in travel retail and catalog distribution channels.
- Shopify Inc.coreThe GIBBON online store is hosted on Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling product sales, inventory management, and order processing. Shopify provides the technical infrastructure for the company's primary revenue channel.
- Cloudflare Inc.coreGIBBON uses Cloudflare's content delivery network (CDN) to optimize website loading speeds and provide secure connections. Cloudflare participates in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.
- OpenAIcoreThe GIBBY and AZUMI AI chatbots are powered by OpenAI/ChatGPT technology. This enables 24/7 AI-assisted customer support on the GIBBON website for product questions, order status, and general inquiries.
- Google (Ireland Limited)coreGIBBON uses multiple Google services: YouTube embedding for video content, Google Analytics 4 for web analytics, Google AdSense for advertising, Google Maps API for location features, and Google Ads conversion tracking for marketing optimization. Google LLC participates in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.
- PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A.corePayPal is offered as a payment option at checkout. PayPal may carry out credit checks for certain payment methods and processes payments securely through the e-commerce platform.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
GIBBON competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BOSU: Established balance trainer brand (BOSU ball and related equipment) widely used in gyms, physical therapy, and athletic training. Competes with GIBBON's SlackBoard in the broader balance training category but is part of a wider fitness equipment portfolio.
- Manduka: Yoga, Pilates, and mind-body equipment brand offering mats, props, and accessories. Comparable to GIBBON's balance/yoga-inspired training products and overlapping mind-body, fitness, and wellness customer segments.
Emerging players
- Vevor: Broad fitness and sporting equipment retailer offering balance boards, yoga accessories, and outdoor gear at value price points. Competes with GIBBON in the e-commerce balance training category, particularly at lower price tiers.
- TriggerPoint: Recovery and mobility tools brand with foam rollers, massage tools, and balance accessories. Adjacent to GIBBON's accessory line (Balance Roller, Trigger Ball, Marble Core Trainer) and overlaps in fitness/rehabilitation customer segments.
Direct peers
- Slackers: European slackline manufacturer and direct competitor to GIBBON in traditional tree-to-tree slackline sets and accessories. Most directly comparable on core product category, target customers (outdoor/fitness), and balance-training use cases.
- Indo Board: Balance board brand offering Indo Board original, Indo FLO, and roller accessories for surf, skate, snow, and fitness training. Directly comparable to GIBBON's SlackBoard line in product category and customer use cases (balance training for athletes).
- Slackline Industries: Slackline manufacturer serving both recreational and trickline/highline markets. Closely comparable product mix (traditional slacklines, trickline sets, accessories) and overlapping customer base of athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Others
- Black Diamond Equipment: Climbing, ski, and outdoor equipment brand sharing retail channels and overlapping outdoor enthusiast customer base with GIBBON. Not a direct competitor but adjacent in the outdoor/sport ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GIBBON social profiles
Digital presenceGIBBON compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
GIBBON financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GIBBON leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
GIBBON funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GIBBON M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GIBBON
What does GIBBON do?
GIBBON designs, manufactures, and sells slackline-based balance training equipment, including traditional slacklines (ClassicLine, JibLine, TravelLine, etc.), the patented SlackBoard balance board, free-standing slackline systems (SlackYard, SlackRack, SlackFrame), replacement webbing, accessories, and branded apparel. The company distributes primarily through its Shopify-powered direct-to-consumer online store with international shipping, supplemented by retail partners across Central Europe.
Is GIBBON a public or private company?
GIBBON is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GIBBON founded?
GIBBON was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GIBBON based?
GIBBON is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does GIBBON make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are affiliate Program and retail Distribution.
Who are GIBBON's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BOSU and Manduka. Emerging players are Vevor and TriggerPoint. Direct peers are Slackers, Indo Board and Slackline Industries. Black Diamond Equipment is listed as an others.
Does GIBBON have an API?
No public API is recorded for GIBBON.
What industry is GIBBON in?
GIBBON's product category is Balance Training Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMADAE, Yoga, Pilates & Mind-Body Accessories Retail (Mats, Blocks, Reformers, Rings). Its NAICS code is 314994.