Heygo, a Shenzhen-based startup specializing in AI-powered ski coaching hardware, has closed a multi-million-dollar angel funding round, with Houxue as the sole investor. The company, founded just over a year ago, is positioning itself at the intersection of winter sports and travel technology, targeting the growing market of ski enthusiasts who seek affordable, tech-driven training solutions.
The core team brings a blend of tech and winter sports expertise, with backgrounds at ByteDance, Tencent, and DJI. Founder Zhenhua Wu previously served as regional business head and head of user growth for Feishu at ByteDance, and was also CMO of Vika. More than half of the team holds international ski instructor certifications, with some having worked as coaches and others even serving as judges at the Winter Olympics.
The idea for Heygo emerged from a common frustration on the slopes: many technical aspects of skiing are difficult for skiers to identify on their own, limiting the effectiveness of traditional coaching. To address this, the company spent a year building its AI training system, collecting real-world skiing data across multiple ski seasons to develop precise feedback capabilities for snowboarders.
Product and market expansion
Heygo's flagship product is an AI snowboard training hardware kit that includes sensors mounted externally on ski boots, a companion mobile app, and audio accessories. The kit is designed as an affordable consumer product, with an initial launch planned in 38 countries worldwide, aiming to make AI-powered ski training tools more accessible to everyday enthusiasts.
The funding will support product development and market expansion, particularly in key winter sports destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia. The startup's focus on snowboarding—a segment with a younger, tech-savvy demographic—aligns with broader trends in adventure tourism and experiential travel.
Heygo's entry into the market comes at a time when ski resorts and travel operators are increasingly looking to integrate technology to enhance guest experiences. The company's hardware-software approach could appeal to ski schools, rental shops, and tour operators seeking to offer value-added services to their clients.
While the funding amount is modest compared to larger travel-tech raises, the strategic implications are significant. The involvement of investors like Houxue, known for backing early-stage tech ventures, signals confidence in the niche but growing market for AI-assisted sports training.
For travel professionals, Heygo represents a potential new revenue stream and a way to differentiate offerings in competitive ski destinations. As the company scales, partnerships with ski resorts and travel agencies could become crucial, similar to how other tech startups have integrated with the travel ecosystem. For instance, travel payment innovations have reshaped how consumers book and pay for trips, and Heygo could similarly influence how ski lessons are delivered and monetized.
The company's global launch strategy, covering 38 countries, underscores the international appeal of ski tourism. Destinations like the Alps, Rockies, and Japanese powder resorts are prime markets for such technology, which can enhance both safety and skill development for skiers of all levels.
As winter sports tourism continues to rebound post-pandemic, investments in training technology could help resorts attract and retain visitors. Heygo's AI-driven approach offers a scalable solution that could be adopted by ski schools and rental operators, potentially transforming the traditional coaching model.
With a team that combines tech prowess and on-snow expertise, Heygo is well-positioned to bridge the gap between consumer electronics and winter sports. The company's success will depend on its ability to deliver accurate, user-friendly feedback that genuinely improves performance, a challenge that many have attempted but few have mastered.
For now, the funding provides a solid foundation for Heygo to refine its product and build brand awareness ahead of the upcoming ski season. Travel industry stakeholders, from resort operators to tour operators, would do well to monitor this startup's progress as it could soon become a standard accessory on the slopes.
