NBA Pushing Technology Frontier With Tech Expo, Launchpad Event During NBA Summer League In Las Vegas
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Kevin Gehsmann was chatting about his company, PROTECT3D, Monday when he politely ended our talk and moved into networking mode when a Houston Rockets trainer came by to learn about his company’s product.
Gehsmann, the 30-year-old co-founder and CEO of the company that makes protective face masks for basketball players, was among 35 companies showing products at the NBA Tech Expo at the NBA Summer League on the UNLV campus.
His display tables showed color photos of NBA players like Jaylen Brown wearing PROTECT3D’s protective mask. The Las Vegas Aces’ Jewell Loyd wore the mask during games last season.
The tech expo was the NBA’s own mini-CES show, a collection of young technology companies showing advances in everything from coaching tools and protective equipment to biomechanics and tracking.
The 35 companies set up displays inside a practice gym next to Thomas & Mack Center, with staffers and execs seeking to network with NBA team trainers and even league workers.
Five of the 35 were lucky enough to be chosen by the NBA for its annual “Launchpad” program after more than 200 companies applied for the honor and the NBA support. Those five companies were set to give presentations at a Launchpad event at the NBA Summer League Monday evening.
Here are the five:
The five were going to be recognized at a gathering at a Thomas & Mack Center meeting room, where company reps were prepared to give give presentations.
A former Launchpad winner was BetterGuards, a high-tech ankle brace company that has grown in revenues by ten times since the Launchpad experience, said Tony Verutti, CEO of the New York-based company. Verutti noted players on all 30 NBA teams used the BetterGuards brace.
“It was important for the journey,” Verutti said of the NBA Launchpad recognition in 2023. “It helped unlock our potential.” Below is one of the 110 employees at BetterGuards showing the ankle brace product.
PSA
