What KA-EX does

KA-EX is a Swiss-engineered sports nutrition company that develops and sells cortisol-focused recovery and performance supplements. The core portfolio consists of two product lines: a post-workout Cortisol Stress Reducer (phosphatidylserine, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, amino acids) and a pre/intra-workout Creatine EAA+ Booster (Creapure creatine, EAAs, caffeine, L-citrulline, betaine, electrolytes). Each line is offered in powder (PWD) sachets and a ready-to-drink (RTD) bottle enabled by patented VICAP push-cap dual-chamber technology licensed from Vicap Systems, which keeps sensitive ingredients separate from liquid until activation. Clinical claims include 36% faster cortisol normalization within 48 hours, 16% REM sleep improvement, and 10% HRV improvement, backed by three studies and 5 years of Swiss R&D. All products are vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and Informed Sport certified.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer model via a Shopify storefront plus an Amazon marketplace channel, with both subscription and one-time purchase SKUs priced from $9.99 to $337.44. End customers span professional athletes (Lara Gut-Behrami, Dario Cologna, Fabian Cancellara, Claudio Castagnoli, and others), professional sports teams (Tudor Pro Cycling Team, Swiss National Soccer Team, FC Basel, PSG), and serious amateur athletes seeking clinical-grade recovery support. Products are shipped globally to the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the UK, and the USA, with localized multi-currency storefronts.

KA-EX is structured as a multi-entity private company: a Swiss entity (ph. Ltd) as the primary product development origin, a German entity (ph. International GmbH) for European operations, and KA-EX LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving the USA, Canada, and LATAM markets. The go-to-market leans on elite-athlete endorsements, team supplier relationships, and content/SEO around the science page, with no disclosed funding rounds and no reported revenue figures.

Name

KA-EX

Legal name

KA-EX LLC

Website

https://www.ka-ex.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

KA-EX is a Swiss-engineered sports nutrition brand selling cortisol-focused recovery drinks and creatine EAA+ boosters for professional athletes, sports teams, and serious amateur athletes via DTC e-commerce and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Nutrition Supplements

NAICS

Food (Health) Supplement Retailers (456191), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Nutrition (Protein, Creatine, Pre-Workout/Intra-Workout) (CRADAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports & Isotonic Drink Production (AFAFAFAB), Sports Drink Production (Isotonic/Hypotonic) (AFAFABAF), Sports Nutrition & Performance Fueling (HSADAFAD), Sports & Performance Actives (Creatine, Beta-Alanine, Citrulline, Nitrates) (AFAJAKAJ)

Keywords

• Sports nutrition supplements
• Cortisol recovery supplements
• Creatine performance boosters
• Athletic recovery drinks
• Ready-to-drink supplements

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of dietary supplements through company Shopify-powered website, offering both one-time purchases and subscription options for Cortisol Stress Reducer and Creatine EAA+ Booster products in various pack sizes.
2. Marketplace Sales (Amazon): Sales through Amazon marketplace, offering the same product lineup including Cortisol Stress Reducer and Creatine EAA+ Booster in multiple formats.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KA-EX sells clinically-validated sports nutrition and recovery supplements for athletes and high performers, centered on two product lines: a post-workout Cortisol Stress Reducer (combining phosphatidylserine, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, and amino acids) and a pre/intra-workout Creatine EAA+ Booster (Creapure creatine, EAAs, caffeine, L-citrulline, betaine, electrolytes). Both lines are offered in powder sachet (PWD) and ready-to-drink (RTD) bottle formats, with the RTD versions enabled by a patented VICAP push-cap dual-chamber system that keeps ingredients separate until activation.

Product overview

KA-EX is a Swiss-developed sports nutrition brand offering a dual-product system for athletic performance and recovery. The core portfolio consists of two product lines: (1) Cortisol Stress Reducer — a post-workout recovery formula featuring phosphatidylserine, L-tryptophan, and L-glutamine to normalize cortisol levels 36% faster; and (2) Creatine EAA+ Booster — a pre/intra-workout formula combining Creapure creatine, essential amino acids, caffeine, and L-citrulline for power and endurance. Both lines are available in powder sachets (PWD) and ready-to-drink (RTD) bottle formats using proprietary VICAP push-cap technology. The brand also offers bundled Welcome Box packages combining both product lines for comprehensive athletic support. All products are vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and Informed Sport certified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KA-EX® PWD Cortisol Stress Reducer Clinically-validated post-workout recovery powder supplement designed to normalize cortisol levels 36% faster within 48 hours, improve REM sleep by 16%, and enhance HRV by 10%. Contains phosphatidylserine, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, amino acids, electrolytes, and bioactive compounds. Available in pack sizes from 3 to 90 servings.
• KA-EX® PWD CREATINE EAA+ BOOSTER High-performance pre/intra-workout powder formula combining Creapure creatine monohydrate, essential amino acids, caffeine, L-citrulline, betaine, and electrolytes to support power output, focus, blood flow, and muscle endurance during intense training. Available in pack sizes from 7 to 30+ servings.
• KA-EX® RTD Cortisol Stress Reducer Ready-to-drink recovery beverage using patented VICAP push-cap technology that keeps ingredients stable until activation, delivering the same cortisol-reduction formula as the powder version in a convenient bottle format. Sold in 12-packs.
• KA-EX® RTD CREATINE BOOSTER+ Ready-to-drink performance booster with VICAP push-cap technology preserving 3g of creatine, combined with essential amino acids, caffeine, L-citrulline, and electrolytes in a pre-workout bottle format. Sold in 12-packs.
• KA-EX® Welcome Box (Cortisol) Starter bundle offering 15 servings of the Cortisol Stress Reducer for new customers to experience the recovery formula.
• KA-EX® Welcome Box Variety Pack Complete performance and recovery bundle combining the Advanced Performance Formula (energy, focus, endurance) with the KA-EX Recovery Formula (cortisol regulation, sleep support) in a single package.
• KA-EX® PRE/DURING + POST WORKOUT Bundle Comprehensive training system bundle combining the pre/during workout Creatine Booster with the post-workout Cortisol Reducer for complete athletic performance support, available with bundle discount for 30 to 90-day supply.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36% faster return to normal cortisol levels within 48 hours
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Vicap SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationSwiss-based innovator in beverage packaging industry providing the patented VICAP push-cap technology that enables KA-EX's unique RTD creatine product. Vicap Systems is driven by innovation, quality, and sustainability goals for redefining how beverages deliver value to consumers worldwide.
• Informed SportcoreOthersClean sport certification program that tests and certifies nutritional supplements for elite athletes. KA-EX products are Informed Sport certified, allowing use by professional athletes and sports organizations.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform powering the KA-EX online store, enabling direct-to-consumer sales, multi-country shipping, and payment processing across global markets.
• Tudor Pro Cycling TeamflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial supplier to the professional World Tour cycling team owned by Fabian Cancellara. The team uses KA-EX products as the perfect complement for top rider performance and recovery.
• Swiss National Soccer TeamflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial supplier to the Swiss national football team. Products used by players and staff for recovery support after games and practices.
• PSG (Paris Saint-Germain)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional football club partnership mentioned as official supplier relationship in product marketing materials.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Onnit: Broader fitness and wellness supplements brand (Alpha Brain, workout nutrition) with athlete endorsements and DTC. Comparable on premium positioning and Joe Rogan-style pro-athlete marketing, though significantly wider product portfolio.
• Cellucor (C4 Energy / C4 Ripped): Major sports nutrition brand (C4 pre-workout, Cor-Performance creatine) with mass retail and DTC presence. Comparable as the dominant category incumbent whose marketing scale KA-EX must overcome.
• MyProtein: Mass-market sports nutrition brand owned by THG, with extensive creatine and recovery SKU range. Represents the volume/pricing benchmark that KA-EX's premium positioning must justify against.

Direct peers

• AG1 (Athletic Greens): Daily nutrition supplement with heavy pro-athlete endorsement flywheel and subscription DTC model. Comparable to KA-EX in relying on elite athlete credibility to justify premium pricing and drive recurring consumer subscriptions.
• Legion Athletics: Science-backed, naturally formulated sports supplements sold via DTC with strong clinical-trial claims. Matches KA-EX on the 'clinically validated, no fillers' positioning and athlete-marketing playbook.
• Transparent Labs: Clinically dosed, third-party tested sports supplements including creatine and recovery formulations. Comparable to KA-EX on evidence-based formulation, Informed Sport/Banned Substance Certified positioning, and premium DTC pricing.
• Beam: Recovery-focused supplement brand (CBD and non-CBD) targeting athletes and high performers with subscription DTC. Closely mirrors KA-EX's recovery/wellness narrative and athlete-led marketing approach.
• Momentous: Premium sports nutrition and recovery brand built around pro-athlete credibility, clinical formulations, and subscription DTC. Closely comparable to KA-EX on positioning (clinically validated recovery products), pro-athlete endorsement strategy, and premium pricing model.
• Thorne: Premium supplement brand with strong pro-athlete partnerships, NSF Certified for Sport, and clinically validated formulations. Overlaps with KA-EX on the high-end, trust-driven, evidence-led supplement positioning and DTC-plus-team B2B GTM.
• 1st Phorm: Performance and recovery supplement brand with pro-athlete ambassadors, DTC focus, and Phormula-1 protein-style premium positioning. Overlaps with KA-EX on athlete-led credibility and recovery/performance product mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 KA-EX