UK startup Prevayl, which is powering up an advanced generation of data-driven luxe sportswear, has secured around €8.7 million to take wearable health technology to new heights. The new sports performance brand is looking to empower consumers with their own biometric data, bringing together a premium, discreet aesthetic with powerful insight in a seamless user experience.
The investment in this round was made by Stonebridge, the digital-first consumer brand investment firm, headed by DTC entrepreneur James Cox (Simba Sleep, Mahabis, Torque Brands). The new funding will be used to kit out state-of-the-art laboratories and fitness areas with data testing facilities, new hires, garment design, continued innovation and IP creation and developing an infrastructure that will facilitate growth.
Prevayl was founded by former personal trainer Adam Crofts (CEO), alongside serial entrepreneur David Newns (Chair), one of the UK’s youngest-ever FTSE executives with two exits already under his belt. The duo spotted a gap in the market for a connected clothing brand that would look considered, feel great and provide exemplary performance data.
Headquartered in Manchester, Prevayl has a team of experienced apparel designers, hardware developers, intellectual property experts and marketeers, including a full time in-house IP department of five, to protect a growing number of patents that protect the unique innovation. Prevayl currently sits at #9 in the top ten UK patent filers across any industry.
Crafted from sophisticated performance materials, Prevayl has a comparable look, feel and handle to luxury sportswear brands. However, the startup’s garments are elevated smart clothing that allow the wearer to connect with their body via invisible, sophisticated tech, to an APP which monitors performance and recovery to enhance the users experience. At launch the fashion-forward brand will consist of three distinct elements; the sportswear, the hardware and the app.
CEO, Adam Crofts, said: “Partnering with Stonebridge has undoubtedly been a leg up for the business. It’s providing us access to the Torque Brands e-commerce platform, which will accelerate our ability to scale, whilst offering our community a slick user experience – helping us fulfil our global ambitions. We are all really focused on igniting a new era of innovation that not only gets the blood flowing and puts the heartbeat back into the region’s rich textile heritage, but puts Prevayl on the map worldwide.”
Prevayl has gone through third party testing provided by the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University. It has also been tested on fighter pilots.
Heart rate, pace and training zone are the standard elements provided by alternative devices on the market; by contrast, Prevayl can offer meticulous insight and analysis of the body from comprehensive ECG (electrocardiogram) data that identifies heart rate and variability including; heart rate zone and recovery, orthostatic heart rate, cardio age, heart function, atrial fibrillation, and ectopic heart beat.
Where the intelligent athleisure brand really diverges from the competition is with its level of breathing insight. It measures the breathing state, time and type (thoracic/diaphragmatic), ventilatory threshold and minute volume, so it can recognise dysfunctional breathing and stress levels.
In addition, it measures core temperature, energy expenditure and hydration. Finally, it looks at IMU (inertial measurement unit) so it can understand acceleration, body position and activity classification between walking, running, cycling, HIIT, yoga and more.
Managing Partner at Stonebridge, James Cox said: “What the company has created over the last 24 months is quite amazing and sits right in the sweet spot of what we believe consumers want. The founders are world class and well on the way to disrupting another large global market and were delighted that we can be part of that journey with them. Prevayl is the perfect example of the type of company which we love to back.”
Made in the UK, the hardware is the smallest on the market. The lightweight, wireless device that slots neatly and discreetly inside the garment. A tiny LED light alerts the user to the battery life, which lasts for up to 24 hours.