IPICO

What IPICO does

IPICO is a privately held South African company headquartered in Pretoria that designs, manufactures, and markets sports timekeeping systems built on a proprietary Dual Frequency (DF) RFID air-interface protocol branded iP-X. The technology combines low-frequency (125 kHz) signaling for tag power-up with high-frequency (6.8 MHz) communication for data transfer, with the company reporting 99.9% read accuracy and simultaneous reading of up to 120 tags per second on a single 2.5m antenna mat. IPICO's product ecosystem spans three reader tiers (Elite with onboard Linux and optional GPRS, Lite for small-to-medium events, and a low-cost Fit reader for institutional fitness testing), antenna mats in 2.5m and 5m configurations, a cycling antenna, multiple tag form factors (generic and custom shoe tags, bib tags, multisport ankle tags, ring bib tags, and a battery-assisted Power Tag), and accessories including GPS receivers, registration readers, field strength meters, battery test tags, mains power supplies, fast chargers, GPRS modems, straps, and USB storage.

The company serves professional event organizers, professional timing companies, schools, military and law enforcement organizations, municipalities, health and sports clubs, local training groups, and individual consumers across approximately 40 countries. Target applications include running, mountain biking, swimming, nordic and multi-sport events, and physical fitness testing. The systems are designed to operate reliably in challenging environmental conditions — wet weather, high-density crowds, metal-rich venues, and high carbon-content surroundings — and provide ASCII text data output via Ethernet or USB for integration with third-party scoring software including Apple Raceberry JaM, ChuckScore, ElfScore, LynxPAD, The Race Director, Runrace.net, RunScore, SportScore, and Trumin. The hardware is FCC, EC, Australian, and South African spectrum compliant.

IPICO operates a direct-to-customer sales model globally with no disclosed channel partners, resellers, or distributors. Pricing is custom-quoted per engagement with no annual licensing fees for system ownership, generating revenue primarily through hardware unit sales (readers, mats, tags, and accessories), tag-volume discounts (e.g., 10,000-piece pricing with up to 12 months to reach volume), and tag customization services such as artwork, sequential numbering, and sponsor branding at nominal per-tag fees. Free phone and email technical support is provided, with on-site training available on a travel-expense-only basis.

Name

IPICO

Legal name

IPICO

Website

https://ipicosports.co.za

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IPICO is a Pretoria-based privately held company that designs and manufactures proprietary Dual Frequency RFID sports timing systems for events, fitness testing, and multisport races, selling direct to organizers, schools, municipalities, and clubs across approximately 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Timing Systems

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Physical Education & Athletics Equipment (Gym, Sports Gear, Scoreboards) (EDAEAIAG)

Keywords

• RFID timing systems
• Sports timekeeping solutions
• Dual frequency RFID
• Race timing tags
• Electronic sports timing

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales (Readers, Mats, Tags, Accessories): IPICO designs, manufactures and markets timing systems including readers (Lite, Elite, Fit), antenna mats (2.5m, 5m, Cycling), tags (shoe, bib, multisport, power), and accessories. Products sold directly to customers with no annual fees. Tags available as reusable or disposable with volume discounts.
2. Customization Services: Tags can be customized with customer artwork, sponsor messages, sequential numbering, and promotional content for event souvenirs and marketing purposes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

IPICO designs, manufactures, and markets electronic sports timing systems based on its proprietary iP-X Dual Frequency RFID technology. Its product ecosystem comprises three reader tiers (Elite, Lite, Fit), antenna mats (2.5m, 5m, Cycling), a range of RFID tags (shoe, bib, multisport, power), and supporting accessories (GPS receivers, GPRS modems, chargers, straps, USB storage, registration readers). The systems are sold directly to professional event organizers, timers, schools, municipalities, sports clubs, and individuals for running, mountain biking, swimming, nordic sports, multi-sport races, and fitness testing.

Product overview

IPICO Sports is a sports timing solutions company offering a unified product ecosystem centered on proprietary Dual Frequency (DF) RFID technology (IP-X™ protocol). The portfolio consists of three reader tiers (Elite, Lite, and Fit Readers) that form the core timing platform, supported by antenna mats (2.5m and 5m), a cycling antenna, and various tags (shoe tags, bib tags, multisport tags, and power tags). Accessories include GPS receivers, GPRS modems, registration readers, chargers, power supplies, straps, and USB storage. The system integrates with third-party scoring software including Apple Raceberry JaM, ChuckScore, ElfScore, LynxPAD, The Race Director, Runrace.net, RunScore, SportScore, and Trumin. Data output is provided in standard ASCII text format via Ethernet or USB for easy integration with external systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elite Reader Turnkey Dual Frequency sports timing reader for medium to large events, featuring an onboard Linux computer, onboard data storage, Ethernet connectivity, and an optional GPRS wireless modem for real-time data transmission. Supports up to four 2.5m antenna mats or two 5.0m mats simultaneously. Designed for professional event organizers and timers running multi-sport, running, triathlon, mountain biking, and large-scale races.
• Lite Reader Affordable Dual Frequency RFID reader for smaller timers, sports clubs, and institutional markets running small to medium events, fitness measurement, and multisport transition points. Supports two 2.5m mats or one 5.0m mat and is positioned as an entry-level system that retains IPICO's core accuracy and interference resistance.
• Fit Reader Low-cost Dual Frequency RFID reader designed for fitness and training activities including scholastic fitness tests, shuttle runs, sports performance tests, military tests, and clinical tests. Sold to schools, military, law enforcement, fire departments, and fitness programs seeking affordable, easy-to-use timing.
• 2.5m Antenna Mat Robust, waterproof Dual Frequency antenna mat (2.5m) used as the read zone for sports timekeeping. Contains inductive loops that power tags at 125 kHz and receive responses at 6.8 MHz, and is engineered to be driven over by motor vehicles without damage.
• 5m Antenna Mat Larger 5m Dual Frequency antenna mat for wider finish-line or timing zones in sports events. Robust, waterproof, and drivable, available in blue semi-permeable AKO 'Safe & Soft' fabric for participant safety.
• Cycling Antenna Low-cost antenna compatible with Elite and Lite Readers, designed for events where a mat antenna is not desirable. Used for cycling, multi-sports, skiing, go-karts, and radio-control car events, and must be used with Power Tags.
• Generic Shoe Tag Reusable Dual Frequency RFID shoe tag with a robust anti-collision protocol that allows up to 120 tags to be read simultaneously. Features four lace holes for attachment and a 35x20mm area to apply race number labels, suitable for mass-participation running events.
• Custom Shoe Tag Custom-designed shoe tag program for events where tags can be branded with sponsor messages, coupons, or promotional content and kept by participants as souvenirs, eliminating tag retrieval effort and turning tags into a marketing asset for events.
• Multisport Tag Waterproof ankle tag for triathlon, Nordic skiing, and other multisport events, featuring a robust waterproof casing, two slots for ankle strap attachment, and a high-gain antenna for reliable reads during transitions.
• Generic Bib Tag Race-ready RFID bib tag pre-applied to IPICO Sports sequentially numbered generic bibs, simplifying race packet preparation and enabling fast reads at the finish line without separate shoe tags.
• Custom Bib Tag Custom designed and numbered bibs with pre-applied Dual Frequency bib tags in 'Race Ready' format, including a bib-to-tag mapping file for easy import into scoring software at events.
• Ring Bib Tag Read-only Dual Frequency A5-sized bib tag with an adhesive layer for sticking onto existing bib numbers. Features a factory-programmed 64-bit ID with CRC validation for reliable, secure identification.
• Power Tag Battery-operated Dual Frequency RFID tag built for triathlon, cycling, and mountain biking events. Its waterproof casing withstands extreme conditions including saltwater, the battery lasts up to 3 years upon activation, and it accommodates athlete speeds up to 70 km/hr when paired with the Cycling Antenna.
• Registration Reader Low-cost Dual Frequency read/write registration reader with USB interface, usable as a desktop registration reader or validation reader. Powered via the USB port with bi-directional USB/RS422 communication for desktop programming and event validation workflows.
• GPS Receiver External GPS adapter that synchronizes the Elite reader clock to GPS navigation satellites and reports reader communications parameters via LCD display, enabling automatic, accurate time alignment at events.
• Field Strength Meter Diagnostic accessory that indicates the relative signal strength of the 125 kHz transmitter field, helping operators identify interference sources and verify read height of antennas. Powered by two AAA batteries for portable field use.
• Battery Test Tag Standard tag powered by batteries for testing the receive antenna loop independently of the transmit loop. Features an on-off switch and activity LED, and is powered by two AAA batteries for field diagnostics.
• Mains Power Supply Universal AC mains supply for powering and float-charging IPICO Sports readers, with universal input voltage of 90–240V AC and 12V DC output up to 10A for global use.
• Fast Charger Compact, lightweight charger for rapidly recharging internal batteries in IPICO Sports readers. Fully charges the Elite reader in 3–4 hours with automatic operation and a clear LED status indicator.
• GPRS Modem 3G wireless modem supporting data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps using GSM cellular technologies (HSDPA, HSUPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS). Has a built-in antenna to extend Elite reader connectivity to cellular networks for remote or live event data transmission.
• Multisport Strap Low-cost, lightweight, reusable elastomeric strap with Velcro for attaching Multisport tags to wrists and ankles during triathlon and multisport events. Made of non-latex foam, washable, and designed for repeated use.
• USB Flash Drive Removable USB flash drive included with the Lite reader for portable storage of tag read data, available in 1 or 2 GB capacities with a built-in activity light for status indication.
• IPICO Sports Dashboard Companion setup software for IPICO Sports timing systems, providing data management and visualization utilities along with a user guide for configuring readers and processing tag read data.
• Custom Tag & Artwork Service Customization service that lets customers order shoe and bib tags with their own artwork, sponsor messages, sequential numbering, or promotional content, turning tags into event souvenirs and marketing tools. Volume pricing and nominal setup fees apply.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% timing accuracy
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Apple Raceberry JaMcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with Apple Raceberry JaM scoring software for race timing and results management.
• ChuckScorecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with ChuckScore scoring software.
• ElfScorecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with ElfScore scoring software.
• LynxPADcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with LynxPAD scoring software.
• The Race DirectorcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with The Race Director scoring software.
• Runrace.netcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with Runrace.net scoring software.
• RunScorecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with RunScore scoring software.
• SportScorecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with SportScore scoring software.
• TrumincoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership - IPICO systems interface with Trumin scoring software.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Trumin: Scoring software partner integrated with IPICO hardware; comparable niche timing/scoring solution targeting similar event organizer customers. Useful benchmark for integrated timing-and-scoring offerings.
• Race Roster: Event registration and race-day technology platform used by endurance event organizers. Adjacent competitor touching the same customer base as IPICO's professional timer customers.

Broad incumbents

• Alien Technology: Manufacturer of UHF RFID tags and readers serving retail, logistics, and sports/event timing. Broader incumbent providing underlying RFID technology that competes with IPICO's proprietary DF approach.
• Impinj: Leading provider of UHF RFID RAIN technology platforms, tags, and readers across many industries including sports timing. Larger incumbent whose underlying technology powers some competing sports timing solutions.

Direct peers

• ChronoTrack: US-based sports timing provider using UHF RFID tags and bib-mounted chips for endurance events. Competes head-to-head with IPICO in running and triathlon timing.
• Innovative Timing Systems (Jaguar Timing): US-based provider of chip timing systems and race management software (Jaguar) for endurance events. Direct peer in race timing hardware and integrated scoring workflows.
• MS Timings: European (Austria-based) sports timing company with passive RFID chip timing solutions for running, cycling, skiing, and motorsports. Closely comparable technology and customer segments to IPICO.
• Race Result: German sports timing technology company offering passive RFID timing systems, scoreboards, and event software. Directly comparable to IPICO in timing hardware and event scoring integration.
• MYLAPS: Global market leader in sports timing, offering passive and active RFID/chip timing systems for running, cycling, motorsports, and multi-sport events. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to IPICO.
• AMB Chip Timing (AMB i.t.): Provider of transponder-based timing systems and decoders for motorsports and active sports. Competes with IPICO in event timing across multiple sport verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 IPICO