Zenniz’s smart tennis court systems are gaining momentum in the United States, marking a significant expansion for the Finnish sports technology company. The firm has opened an office in Sandy Springs, Georgia, just outside Atlanta, to oversee its growing footprint in the market. A launch event for the new facility is scheduled for next week.
Scale of installations in the U.S. exceeds all other markets. The company currently has systems installed at 140 courts across 30 facilities in the U.S., representing a little under a third of its nearly 500 court installations worldwide. Managing Director Santtu Leskinen noted that this scale already exceeds any other single market where the company is active.
According to Leskinen, the expansion is driven by increasing partnerships and facility acquisitions. “We’re seeing more and more partnerships grow here, and more and more facilities acquire our tech,” he said. “In order for us to create a smooth process of getting our system and running smoothly with it for multiple years, we need presence here in the U.S. — not only to maintain those relationships but also to keep growing that pool.”
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The hardware required for the flagship system, the Zenniz Gen2, includes four off-the-shelf cameras and 30 custom-built sound sensors positioned around the court for ball tracking, plus a “central unit” with screens. Single-court installations cost about $13,500 up front, plus a $70 monthly fee for data storage and maintenance.
Clubs are encouraged to monetize the technology through revenue-sharing models. Leskinen explained that facilities can either raise court prices or share revenue with Zenniz when they drive sign-ups to the premium tier of the consumer app, which prices at $14.90 per month. “That’s been the nut we are wanting to crack with the clubs,” Leskinen said. “We want to collaborate with clubs and facilities on finding the best ways to monetize new technology.”
Funding and new product options. A $6 million funding round closed earlier this year will be used to facilitate further growth, including additional installations, product development, and hiring. The company employs around 30 full-time staff total, with the U.S. headquarters in The Queen Building. Leskinen and the installation project lead currently work out of that office, while two additional U.S.-based sales representatives work remotely.
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Zenniz last month launched a camera-based system called “Zenniz Lite” priced at roughly $2,000 for installation plus a $30 per month fee. While the Lite version offers video tools, it lacks the ball-tracking sensors found in the Gen2 model. Eventually, the Lite system will add a less precise line-calling feature.
Zenniz’s electronic line-calling (ELC) system recently received approval from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for use as a challenge-based review system at the college level. The ELC system also holds silver-level certification from World Tennis, one tier below the professional-grade gold level, alongside another technology called PlayReplay.