Athos, which has announced plans to launch a line of biometric fitness apparel this fall, closed $12.2 million in Series B funding. The Redwood City, CA company will use the money to scale a new manufacturing process for embedding sensors in garments as well as marketing in advance of its fall launch.



Athos also disclosed that it had signed agreements with two Tier 1 manufacturers to develop manufacturing processes needed to produce its garments on a commercial scale. One is a multi-billion dollar garment manufacturer which serves some of the best-known sportswear companies, while the other is a leading, global hardware manufacturer. Athos claims it has worked with the two companies to develop a new manufacturing process to create high-quality sensors integrated into clothing in a way that has never been done before.

 

 

Athos apparel uses small sensors that are built into compression clothing and communicate directly with a consumer’s smartphone to give the wearer real-time feedback on their workout.


Started in 2010 by co-founders Dhananja Jayalath, Christopher Wiebe and Chamath Palihapitiya, the core of Athos’ technology was born from an advanced engineering project at the University of Waterloo. The technology incorporates electromyography, or EMG, one of the most effective ways of tracking muscles. Athos claims to be the first to bring the technology mainstream by invisibly embedding muscle-tracking sensors into comfortable, stylish performance apparel.



The round was led by DCM, with participation from: True Ventures; Managing Partner and Chairman of the Golden State Warriors Joe Lacob; NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal; and existing investor, The Social+Capital Partnership.



“As someone who has performed at the highest levels of the NBA for more than 17 years, I can attest to how important training is,” said six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. “When I saw Athos for the first time, my immediate thought was how much more longevity it can give athletes by allowing us to train smarter and prevent injury through a better understanding and fine tuning of our bodies.”


 


The new funding brings the total amount raised-to-date to $16 million. As part of the deal, Pete Moran, General Partner at DCM, and Joe Lacob have joined Athos’ board of directors.