asterisk
Asterisk is a privately held US manufacturer that designs and hand-builds premium carbon fiber knee protection braces in Corona, California for motocross, supercross, and off-road riders, selling via DTC e-commerce, a domestic dealer network, and international distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCorona, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What asterisk does
Asterisk is a privately held US manufacturer of premium carbon fiber knee protection systems for motorsports, primarily serving professional and amateur motocross, supercross, and off-road riders, with an extension into youth riders. The company designs and hand-builds its products at a manufacturing facility in Corona, California, using 12K aerospace-grade carbon fiber prepreg with Military and Aerospace-grade specifications. Its core product line comprises three carbon fiber knee braces — the Carbon Cell Pro (premium, $899.95/pair), the Carbon Cell 1 (flagship, $799.95/pair), and the Micro Cell (youth/slim line, $349.95/pair) — each featuring patented or proprietary technologies including the Anti-Rotation Tether, the three-piece Tele-Tri Patella Cup, and the Asymmetri-Glide or Symmetri-Glide hinge systems. The company also sells a wide ecosystem of replacement parts, accessories (liners, undersleeves, strap kits, gear guards, tethers, condyle padding, hinge repair kits), the brand-agnostic Zero G Knee Brace Pant, and apparel.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce via a Shopify storefront with a domestic dealer network and an international distributor program. Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time unit sales of physical products, with no subscription or licensing model. Pricing spans $5 (extension stop packs) to $899.95 (premium brace pair), with the average revenue mix weighted heavily toward premium knee brace pairs. The company is founder-controlled, with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or acquisitions. Marketing relies on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), email newsletter, professional athlete endorsements, and instructional video content produced in partnership with retailers such as Rocky Mountain ATV MC.
asterisk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- asterisk
- Legal name
- Asterisk
- Website
- https://asterisk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Asterisk is a privately held US manufacturer that designs and hand-builds premium carbon fiber knee protection braces in Corona, California for motocross, supercross, and off-road riders, selling via DTC e-commerce, a domestic dealer network, and international distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
asterisk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Motorsports Protective Equipment
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports) (HLAHAMAC)
Keywords
Where asterisk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Corona
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
asterisk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Knee Brace Sales: Primary revenue from direct sales of carbon fiber knee braces and protective gear through e-commerce storefront. Products include Carbon Cell Pro, Carbon Cell, and Micro Cell braces sold as pairs or individual units.
- Accessories Sales: Secondary revenue from replacement parts and accessories including undersleeves, strap kits, tethers, gear guards, liners, and repair kits.
- Apparel Sales: Revenue from branded merchandise including Snapback Trucker Hat ($29.95) and Asterisk Tee shirts ($29.95-$34.95).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Carbon Cell Pro - Premium full-suspension knee brace |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Carbon Cell - Original carbon fiber performance knee brace |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Micro Cell - Youth/slim line carbon knee brace |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Zero G Knee Brace Pant |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Carbon Cell Pro Liners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Anti-Rotation Tethers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Velcro Strap Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Asterisk Tee Shirts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Snapback Trucker Hat |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Extension Stop Pack |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hinge Repair Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Compression Sleeve |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
asterisk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Asterisk designs, manufactures, and sells carbon fiber knee braces and related protection accessories for motorsports athletes (motocross, supercross, off-road riding). All braces are hand-built in Corona, California, using Military Spec and Aerospace grade 12K carbon fiber. The portfolio spans three core brace models (Carbon Cell Pro, Carbon Cell 1, Micro Cell), the Zero G Knee Brace Pant, and a full line of replacement parts and apparel.
Product overview
Asterisk is a manufacturer of carbon fiber knee protection products for motorsports (motocross, supercross, and off-road). The product line centers on three core knee brace products: the Carbon Cell Pro (premium model with Anti-Rotation Tether), Carbon Cell 1 (lightweight flagship), and Micro Cell (youth model). All core products feature carbon fiber frames, asymmetric/symmetri-glide hinges, tele-tri patella cups, and water-resistant construction. The portfolio extends to replacement parts and accessories including undersleeves, compression sleeves, strap kits, gear guards, tethers, liners, extension stops, hinge repair kits, and condyle padding. The company also offers apparel (hats, t-shirts) and the Zero G Knee Brace Pant designed to work with any knee brace brand. All products are hand-built at Asterisk's facility in Corona, California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Carbon Cell Pro
- Carbon Cell 1 (CC1)
- Micro Cell
- Zero G Knee Brace Pant
Quantifiable outcome
- Weight approximately 1lb (454g) per brace for Carbon Cell model
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use asterisk
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
asterisk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
asterisk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Rocky Mountain ATV MCminorRocky Mountain ATV MC created instructional videos for Asterisk, specifically a video on how to install the Anti-Rotation Tether on Ultra Cell and Carbon Cell braces. This partnership provides product education content for customers.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
asterisk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Leatt Corporation: Direct competitor in motocross knee braces and neck braces; Leatt pioneered the Leatt-Brace and competes head-to-head with Asterisk's carbon fiber knee protection in the same motorsports retail and dealer channels.
- EVS Sports: Long-standing manufacturer of motocross knee braces, knee guards, and body protection. EVS is one of the most direct substitutes for Asterisk's products in the amateur and professional motocross markets.
- POD Active: Premium knee brace brand specializing in carbon fiber knee protection for motocross and mountain biking. POD overlaps directly with Asterisk on technology positioning (carbon fiber frames, patented hinge systems) and target riders.
Broad incumbents
- Alpinestars: Global incumbent offering a full motorsports protection lineup including knee braces, body armor, and apparel. Alpinestars competes with Asterisk in knee braces but with much broader product breadth and larger racing sponsorship footprint.
- Fox Racing: Major motocross apparel and protection brand with knee brace offerings as part of a much wider product portfolio. Fox is a broad incumbent that competes for both riders and dealer shelf space alongside Asterisk.
- Troy Lee Designs: Motocross protection and apparel brand offering knee braces and body protection. Troy Lee competes with Asterisk in the protection category while also selling helmets, goggles, and riding gear.
- Thor MX: Established motocross protection and apparel brand offering knee guards and braces within a wider riding gear catalog. Comparable as another dealer-channel competitor for protection dollars.
Emerging players
- Breg: Orthopedic bracing company with knee and sports medicine products. Breg overlaps with Asterisk on the orthopedic knee brace category but is primarily distributed through medical and rehabilitation channels rather than motorsports dealers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
asterisk social profiles
Digital presenceasterisk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
asterisk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
asterisk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
asterisk 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 asterisk
What does asterisk do?
Asterisk designs, manufactures, and sells carbon fiber knee braces and related protection accessories for motorsports athletes (motocross, supercross, off-road riding). All braces are hand-built in Corona, California, using Military Spec and Aerospace grade 12K carbon fiber. The portfolio spans three core brace models (Carbon Cell Pro, Carbon Cell 1, Micro Cell), the Zero G Knee Brace Pant, and a full line of replacement parts and apparel.
Is asterisk a public or private company?
asterisk is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was asterisk founded?
asterisk was founded in -1.
Where is asterisk based?
asterisk is headquartered in Corona, United States, in the North America region.
How does asterisk make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Knee Brace Sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories Sales and apparel Sales.
Who are asterisk's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Leatt Corporation, EVS Sports and POD Active. Broad incumbents are Alpinestars, Fox Racing, Troy Lee Designs and Thor MX. Breg is listed as an emerging player.
Does asterisk have an API?
No public API is recorded for asterisk.
What industry is asterisk in?
asterisk's product category is Motorsports Protective Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMANAC, Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest), with a secondary code of HLAHAMAC, Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports). Its SIC code is 3842.