Darefore is a pioneering sports tech company from Cyprus, transforming the way athletes train and perform through advanced wearable sensors, real-time feedback, and data analytics. Backed by Mirror 3D Lab’s expertise in 3D motion capture and immersive tech, Darefore captured the attention of Kinisis Ventures Fund with its innovative approach and cutting-edge features.

In this interview, we hear from Darefore’s CTO & Co-Founder, Dr. Panayiotis Kyriakou, as he discusses Darefore’s vision, Mirror 3D Lab, and the broader potential of Cyprus’s emerging sports tech landscape.

As an engineer, I've always been driven by a desire to understand systems, break them down, and optimize them for efficiency. This analytical approach naturally translated to my athletic pursuits, where I constantly sought ways to improve my performance through data analysis and meticulous training.

This combined experience has profoundly shaped my perspective on product development at Darefore. We strive to create tools that provide athletes with the data and insights they need to understand their performance, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately achieve their goals. Just like an engineer meticulously analyzes and optimizes a system, Darefore empowers athletes to analyze their performance and optimize their training for maximum efficiency and impact.

The idea for Darefore was born from a shared frustration with the limitations of existing training tools. As athletes ourselves, we felt there was a gap between the wealth of data generated by modern training devices and the actionable insights athletes could gain from it.

We realized that most tools simply presented data, leaving athletes to manually interpret and make sense of it all. We envisioned a platform that would intelligently analyze this data, provide personalized insights, and empower athletes to optimize their performance in a data-driven way. Darefore was born from this vision, aiming to bridge the gap between data and actionable insights to help athletes unlock their true potential.

As avid cyclists ourselves, we experienced firsthand the limitations of existing training tools. We started with a simple idea: to develop a sensor that could accurately track a cyclist's position in real-time. At the time, there were no affordable and accessible solutions for everyday cyclists to gain insights into their riding position and its impact on their performance.

We realized that this data, combined with advanced analytics, could unlock valuable insights for cyclists of all levels. This realization led to the development of the Darefore sensor and the subsequent creation of the Darefore platform, a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers cyclists with the data and insights they need to optimize their performance.

Darefore, as a product of Mirror 3D Lab, leverages the cutting-edge 3D motion capture and biomechanical expertise that the company is renowned for.  This close integration allows us to continuously refine Darefore's position analysis algorithms with the latest advancements in 3D motion capture technology.

Furthermore, the data collected by Darefore provides valuable real-world insights that can be used to further enhance Mirror 3D Lab's 3D motion capture and analysis capabilities. This iterative process of development and refinement ensures that both Darefore and Mirror 3D Lab remain at the forefront of performance optimization technology.

The €300K investment from KV Fund I is a significant milestone for Darefore. This funding will fuel our strategic growth initiatives.

• Product Enhancement: We will invest heavily in enhancing our product offering with cutting-edge AI-powered coaching features, creating personalized training plans, and integrating new data streams for a more comprehensive performance analysis.

• Strategic Global Expansion: Building upon our strong foundation in Cyprus, we will strategically expand our reach into key European markets, starting with our neighboring countries and gradually expanding further afield.

• Targeted Marketing & Sales: We will implement targeted digital marketing campaigns and leverage local partnerships with cycling clubs and influencers to build strong local communities.

This investment will enable us to accelerate our growth, solidify Darefore's position as the leading provider of data-driven cycling performance solutions, and empower cyclists worldwide to achieve their full potential.

The technology and startup ecosystem in Cyprus is rapidly evolving, with a growing emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. While still nascent, we are seeing a burgeoning interest in sports tech and immersive solutions.

However, there's still room for further development, such as attracting more venture capital, fostering stronger industry collaborations, and cultivating a vibrant community of tech talent. Despite these challenges, I believe the Cypriot tech ecosystem has the potential to become a significant player in the global sports tech landscape.

What: Darefore

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Who: Panayiotis Kyriakou is the CTO & Co-Founder of Darefore, a pioneering technology brand developed by Mirror 3D Lab, revolutionizing cycling performance with a smart position sensor. As CTO, Panayiotis plays a crucial role in driving Darefore's technological innovation, overseeing the development of their cutting-edge data-driven platform. With a strong background in computer science and a PhD in Digital Cultural Heritage, Panayiotis brings a unique blend of technical expertise and a deep understanding of human-computer interaction to his role. He is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance human performance and improve lives. Prior founding Darefore, Panayiotis role in Mirror 3D Lab was specializing in immersive and interactive technologies. His experience in 3D technologies, data analysis, and software development has been instrumental in the development of Darefore's innovative cycling position sensor and performance platform.