Lauren Pedersen’s name may have not be quite as recognised as Naomi Osaka‘s. However, the transition from an NCAA Division tennis player to co-founder and CEO of SportAI is certainly one of a winner. And, a testament to her vision of combining sports and technology.
A pioneer in the sports tech space, Lauren is on a mission to make elite sports training accessible to everyone. Regardless of their location or resources. With her company, SportAI, she is spearheading the future of athlete performance, driven by cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and machine learning technologies.
Growing up in New Zealand, where access to world-class coaching was limited, Lauren understood the importance of quality training from an early age. The lack of elite resources in her home country sparked a determination in her to level the playing field. “As the CEO and Co-Founder of SportAI, I’m proud to be at the forefront of democratising access to high-quality sports technique data,” she shares. “Our innovative approach leverages computer vision, machine learning, and biometric analysis. And, delivers highly valuable insights through a SaaS platform, empowering businesses around the globe as a result.”
Lauren’s career path has been anything but linear. After excelling in competitive tennis during her university years in Washington, DC, she ventured into the world of advertising in New York and London. However, her passion for sports and technology led her to pivot once again. This time moving to Oslo, where she transitioned into the tech sector. With 17 years of experience working with start-ups across industries like mobile payments and air quality sensors, Lauren’s expertise in tech set the stage for her entrepreneurial journey.
In 2023, she founded SportAI. This B2B sports tech platform uses AI-driven insights to analyse athletes’ techniques and enhance their performance. The platform provides real-time, personalised feedback on tennis and padel swings. And, gives athletes the chance to compare their technique against the world’s best. These include the likes of Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic. SportAI’s machine learning and computer vision technology generate data-driven insights that were once only accessible to elite athletes with expensive coaching and equipment.
“For me, the challenge was always how to make top-quality coaching available to more people,” Lauren explains. “When I realised the potential of AI and machine learning, it felt like the perfect opportunity to solve this problem. Now, anyone with a smartphone can access professional-grade feedback and improve their game. No matter where they are or what they can afford.”
Lauren’s ability to combine her experience as an athlete with her expertise in tech has given her a unique perspective on the future of sports training. With major 2024 events like the Paris Olympics showcasing AI-driven tools, the landscape of sports technology is rapidly changing. Video analysis and computer vision are now enabling athletes to receive customised technique insights without the need for physical sensors or expensive hardware. “AI is transforming the way we train and compete,” she says. “It’s allowing athletes to access personalised feedback and make real-time adjustments, which is a game-changer for performance.”
Lauren’s journey is also a powerful example of defying industry norms. As a female CEO in a male-dominated space, she’s faced challenges that many women in tech and sports know well. But her determination to redefine what’s possible has led her to become an influential voice in both industries. “I’ve always believed that innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are brought to the table,” she says. “Being a female founder has come with its own set of challenges. But, it’s also been an opportunity to break barriers and prove that women belong at the helm of tech-driven change.”
As Lauren continues to lead SportAI’s growth, she’s also focusing on her own athletic ambitions. She’s currently representing Norway in the 2024 ITF Masters World Championships in Tokyo. And, using her own technology to enhance her training.
