The 2018 ISPO Global Innovation Awards (ISPO Brandnew) was the 30th edition of the competition. With each successive edition, more cutting-edge technologies and designs have been discovered. After rigorous screening and unanimous acclaim by the judging panel, this year’s winning brands showcased their best products, once again pointing the way toward new directions for industry development. As one of the most closely watched high-standard evaluations for emerging brands in the sports field, this year’s top 50 products included traditionally crafted items like ski lifts and bicycle tires with innovative designs. The overall annual champion was a customizable wooden bicycle: a textbook example of a digital technology transformation in the sports industry.
Representing China in the top 50 were goTele (www.gotele.net), an outdoor positioning and communication technology product from Beijing, and Lumos (www.lumoshelmet.co), a smart bicycle helmet from Hong Kong.
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The ISPO Global Innovation Awards judging panel consists of winners from previous editions of the competition—individuals who deeply understand innovation and development in the sports sector and have now become leading figures in the field. This year’s competition attracted over 400 products from around the globe, with 50 outstanding products ultimately selected as winners. These 50 winning brands will also be showcased in the ISPO Global Innovation Awards exhibition area at ISPO Munich. It is worth noting that all participating brands must have been established within the last four years. Let’s take a look at this year’s overall champion and the seven category champions.
— Overall Champion
My Esel (www.my-esel.com)
Austria, founded in 2014
My Esel introduced the concept of customizable wooden bicycles, with all products made from Austrian wood. The judges were amazed by the innovative
customization platform it developed—a textbook example of a digital technology transformation in the sports industry: it calculates the user’s body proportions, ideal seat position, and frame geometry based on height, shoe size, and lower leg length, all available in real time via the online platform. Colors, materials, accessories, and frame shapes can also be freely chosen.
— Category Champions
Summer Sports Equipment – FIFTYTEN (www.fiftyten.de)
Germany, founded in 2016
Fiftyten is a universal truck bed box with a roof tent, suitable for all double-cab pickup trucks. The box features a base platform that provides storage and living space in the truck bed, while the spacious and comfortable roof tent offers a place to rest. Fiftyten is an elegant, practical, and structurally sophisticated product, perfect for campers and RV travelers.
Winter Sports Equipment – Boardie (www.boardie.se)
Sweden, founded in 2015
Boardie is a new type of ski lift that offers winter sports enthusiasts a more comfortable riding experience. Its wider, ergonomic, and durable frame provides a more pleasant ride for everyone. It can easily replace existing ski lifts at a low cost. Additionally, Boardie features a large advertising area on the lift frame, offered free of charge for ski resorts to use. Ski lifts have seen little change over decades, so the innovation brought by Boardie earned high praise from the judges.
Accessories – Tubolito (www.tubolito.com)
Austria, founded in 2016
Since the invention of the bicycle, it has continuously evolved, but one component has remained largely unchanged: the bicycle tire. Tubolito introduced a new concept with its redesigned tire, which earned favor from the judges.
The Tubolito tire is made from a new material, weighing 65% less than traditional tires, lasting twice as long, and is compressible for easy transport, reusable, and suitable for both mountain and road bikes.
Apparel – TEMPLA
Belgium, founded in 2017
TEMPLA’s outdoor functional apparel combines modern aesthetics with technological innovation, making it ideal for fashion-conscious outdoor adventurers. Each piece of fabric is crafted to the utmost in traditional garment production, with particular attention to design details and a minimalist, stylish feel.
Fitness Products – BIOROWER (www.biorower.com)
Austria, founded in 2014
The BIOROWER rowing machine is a redevelopment of the traditional rowing boat, bringing the natural, comfortable rowing experience and fitness benefits into the home. Two independent oars connected to a high-precision motor produce the same smooth resistance as rowing in water. Force and angle sensors transmit data to a tablet.
Wearable Technology – Microsfere
USA, founded in 2015
The Athlete’s Mask is an anti-pollution face mask designed for use in highly polluted areas. Its intelligent airflow system ensures natural and effortless breathing, even during prolonged physical activity, while maintaining excellent ventilation. It can also connect to mobile devices to record detailed performance metrics in real-time—data that previously could only be captured in a lab setting.
Social Responsibility Category — The Social Mercenary (www.thesocialmercenary.com)
United Kingdom, established in 2017
Traditional Ghanaian clothing and accessories are all highly modern, crafted by Ghanaian artisans using the “royal fabric” Kente. Their backpacks and hats feature YKK zippers and include pockets for laptops or mobile phones, made with ultra-strong yarn and traditional wax-printed cotton.
ISPO Global Innovation Award Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
As the most closely watched high-standard competition for emerging sports brands, the ISPO Global Innovation Award showcases the creative power of the sports industry. Launched in 2000, the ISPO Global Innovation Award celebrated its 30th edition in 2018. The first competition received entries from 67 brands, with the windsurfing brand Naish Kites taking home the championship. Well-known brands today such as GoPro, Maloja, ON, POC, and Nixon Watches were also past winners of the ISPO Global Innovation Award. We are incredibly pleased to see how these winning brands have grown into leaders in the sports field, which fully demonstrates our successful role in propelling their development. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ISPO Global Innovation Award, we have specially created the “Innovation Hall of Fame” at the world’s largest sports trade fair — ISPO Munich 2018 — where visitors can explore the past and present of all previous award-winning brands.