Tennibot (www.tennibot.com), a Roomba-type robotic tennis ball collector that detects balls on the court using cameras, sensors and complex algorithms, was the winner of the Tennis Industry Association’s (TIA) Innovation Challenge, a “Shark Tank”-like competition to identify the most innovative and creative product or service in the tennis industry.
The Tennibot unit also comes with an app that allows the user to choose where to pick up balls, and keeps track of how many balls it picks up.
“I am thrilled to win,” says Tennibot Founder Haitham Eletrabi. “At first, I was worried because there was so much that I wanted to tell the judges in just five minutes. And, the other finalists had great ideas. Our product helps people maximize their time on the tennis court and improves their overall tennis experience.”
The Innovation Challenge took place on March 27 during key tennis industry meetings at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. Six companies, which had been selected from 37 overall applicants for the Innovation Challenge, each gave a five-minute presentation on what makes their tennis product or service special, unique and important to the growth of the sport.
“We were thrilled with both the quantity and quality of our Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge applicants and finalists,” says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. “Many thanks to all those who took the time to apply and to tell us about their innovative product or service which is helping to grow tennis and industry businesses. The TIA was pleased to offer this unique platform to entrepreneurs, with an eye toward increasing tennis participation and enjoyment for all consumers.”
As the winner of the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge, Tennibot received $1,000; a national news release to approximately 2,000 media outlets with a potential audience of 30 million consumers; coverage in Tennis Industry Magazine; a commemorative trophy; a membership in the TIA; and other benefits.
For additional info go to www.tennisindustry.org.
