Zone4

What Zone4 does

Zone4 Systems Inc., founded in 2001 and headquartered in Canmore, Alberta, is a privately held Canadian software and hardware company that provides integrated race timing and online registration solutions for competitive sports event organizers across North America. The company's core offering combines a web-based timing software platform with proprietary hardware including GoChip RFID timing chips (1/100th second accuracy), Summit-branded wireless timers (SRT-2000 with 1/10,000th second precision, FIS-homologated through 2037), RapidCam line-scan photo-finish cameras (1/1000th second), and a Serverbox offline-capable Intel NUC server for connectivity-constrained race venues. An Android app (Zone4 GO) extends live timing to mobile devices at timing points.

Zone4 serves race organizers in cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, biathlon, triathlon, mountain biking, and running — with primary depth in ski racing (where FIS homologation is a hard regulatory requirement) and triathlon/multisport. The business operates a self-service product-led growth model: organizers sign up for free, rent or purchase timing hardware directly through zone4.ca, and run their own events with optional remote or on-site Zone4 staff support. The platform also operates an extensive public event directory that drives organic SEO traffic from race participants searching for events.

Revenue is generated across five streams: equipment rental (per-chip or per-weekend pricing), equipment sales (one-time hardware purchases), per-racer timing software fees (US$1.50), per-registrant online registration fees plus Stripe payment processing (2.9% + US$0.30 per transaction), and professional remote or on-site timing services (US$250/shift). The company is founder-operated (Dan Roycroft), with no disclosed institutional investment, and operates with 11–50 employees out of its Canmore headquarters where hardware is manufactured, upgraded, and serviced.

Name

Zone4

Legal name

Zone4 Systems Inc.

Website

https://zone4.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zone4 Systems Inc. provides integrated race timing software, online event registration, and proprietary timing hardware (GoChip chips, Summit timers, RapidCam cameras) for race organizers in ski racing, triathlon, mountain biking, and running across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Timing Technology

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual & Hybrid Event Registration & Streaming Access Platforms (THAHAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH), Virtual Event Registration, Ticketing & Access Control (Authentication, Paywalls, Badging) (THAHAOAI)

Keywords

• Race timing software
• Online event registration
• Timing equipment rental
• Photo finish cameras
• Race results management

Headquarters

HQ city

Canmore

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rental: Rental of GoChip timing chips, activators, timing points, phones, loops, timers, serverboxes and other timing hardware on weekend or seasonal basis
2. Equipment Sales: Direct purchase of GoChip timing chips, activators, Summit timers, RapidCam cameras, serverboxes and accessories
3. Timing Software: Per-racer fee for using Zone4 Timing Software, with discounts when used alongside Zone4 Registration
4. Remote Timing Support: Dedicated Zone4 staff monitoring and supporting race day timing operations for US$250 per shift
5. Online Registration Platform: Per-registrant fee plus payment processing fees (2.9% + US$0.30 per transaction through Stripe)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Zone4 provides web-based race timing software and online event registration, supported by proprietary timing hardware including GoChip timing chips, FIS-homologated Summit timers, and RapidCam photo-finish cameras. The platform supports multiple sports (skiing, triathlon, mountain biking, running, motorsport) with live results, customizable reports, commentator systems and TV-ready displays. Organizers can self-serve via the website or hire Zone4 staff for remote or on-site race-day timing support.

Product overview

Zone4 is a race timing and online registration platform consisting of a modular hardware and software portfolio. The core offerings include GoChip timing chips (with 1/100th second accuracy), the Zone4 Timing Software web application, and Zone4 Online Registration. Add-on hardware modules include the RapidCam photo-finish camera (1/1000th second accuracy), Summit Timers (FIS-homologated SRT2000 with 1/10,000th second precision), and the Serverbox for offline timing. The company also provides professional timing services (on-site or remote support). Equipment is available for purchase or rental, and customers can self-time races using their own hardware or Zone4-provided equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GoChip: Lightweight and durable timing chip with comfortable neoprene band, 1/100th of a second accuracy
• RapidCam
• Summit Timers
• Zone4 Registration
• Zone4 Timing Software
• Zone4 GO
• Serverbox

Products and services

• GoChip Timing Chips Lightweight, durable RFID timing chip with a comfortable neoprene band providing 1/100th of a second accuracy. Available for rental (weekend or season) or purchase. Used by race organizers for participant timing across multiple sports.
• Zone4 Timing Software Web-based race timing application supporting multiple sports and race formats, with live results, photos, racer tracking, customizable results, commentator system and TV results display. Charged at US$1.50 per racer with a discount when used with Zone4 Registration.
• RapidCam Photo Finish Camera Line-scan photo finish camera accurate to 1/1000th of a second with automatic racer detection, providing affordable high-precision finish line imagery for race organizers.
• Summit SRT-2000 Timer FIS-homologated wireless handheld timer with 1/10,000 second precision, weatherproof keypad, 10 external inputs, and long-range 900MHz wireless communication. Certified to meet international ski racing standards until 2037.
• Zone4 Online Registration Online registration system with flexible form editor, unlimited custom or preset fields, custom reports, quick summaries, and built-in communication tools. Per-registrant fee plus Stripe payment processing fees (2.9% + US$0.30 per transaction).
• Serverbox Intel NUC-based offline server with WiFi access point and protective case, enabling web-based Zone4 Timing Software operation in areas with unreliable or unavailable internet access. Automatically synchronizes data when connectivity returns.
• Zone4 Race Timing Services Professional timing services including on-site or remote support, race-day timing, and planning and production support for race events. Remote support is US$250 per shift; on-site pricing varies based on travel, accommodation and event complexity.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Summit SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationZone4 partnered with Summit Systems in Salt Lake City to design and certify the SRT-2000 Timer. Zone4 now distributes Summit hardware and performs upgrades, repairs, and certification at their Canmore headquarters. Zone4 is acquiring distribution rights for other Summit components including plungers and modems.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Alge-Timing: Alge-Timing is a long-established Austrian timing hardware and solutions provider for skiing, athletics, and motorsports. It competes with Zone4/Summit on FIS-grade ski timing and broader sports timing hardware internationally.
• Active.com: Active.com is a large-scale event registration platform owned by ACTIVE Network, serving endurance races, triathlons, and broader sports events. It overlaps with Zone4 Registration but covers a much wider sports and activity portfolio.

Direct peers

• ChronoTrack Systems: ChronoTrack provides UHF RFID chip timing systems and race timing software widely used in US road races, marathons, and triathlons. It overlaps directly with Zone4's GoChip timing hardware and timing software offerings.
• Jaguar Timing Systems: Jaguar Timing Systems manufactures RFID chip timing hardware and supports large road races, marathons, and triathlons in North America. It is a direct competitor to GoChip and the broader Zone4 timing hardware portfolio.
• Sport-Tag (Hemisphere Racing): Sport-Tag is Zone4's motorsports timing partner referenced on zone4.ca. It provides RFID and loop-based motorsport timing, overlapping with Zone4's expansion into motorsports.
• Race Roster: Race Roster is a North American race registration platform serving running, triathlon, and cycling events with integrated timing partnerships. It competes head-to-head with Zone4 Registration in the same geography and customer base.
• ITS YOUR RACE: ITS YOUR RACE provides race timing software and online registration used widely by timers and race directors in the US. It competes with Zone4 Timing Software and GoChip on integrated timing+registration for endurance events.
• RunSignup: RunSignup is a leading US race registration and timing platform offering online registration, ticketing, and race-day timing. It directly competes with Zone4 across registration, timing, and event management for endurance sports events.

Regional players

• Racetech (New Zealand): Racetech is a New Zealand-based race timing company providing chips, hardware, and timing services for endurance events. It offers comparable timing solutions but operates primarily in Oceania rather than North America.

Emerging players

• Athlinks: Athlinks is a race results database and athlete tracking platform integrated with endurance events. It complements but does not directly replace Zone4 Timing Software, positioning it as an emerging adjacent player.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zone4system
• Facebookfacebook.com/zone4timing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Zone4