Outside Interactive is acquired by Kinomap North America

Today it was announced that Outside Interactive, a Boston-based developer of patented video simulation technology for cardio equipment and endurance events, has been acquired by Kinomap North America. The US headquarters will remain in Hopkinton, Mass. as a basecamp for sales and marketing initiatives. 

“We are thrilled to join the Kinomap team and help grow its presence here in North America,” stated Gary McNamee, Outside Interactive’s founder and CEO. “We have shared the same vision with Kinomap since the very early days, before connected cardio equipment or any of the names you currently associate with fitness even existed. Simply put, we were early. We’re not early anymore.” McNamee will now become Managing Director of Kinomap’s North American Operations.

Since 2011, Outside Interactive has promoted its patented course simulator technology for treadmills and other cardio equipment, allowing runners, walkers, and other participants to visualize and experience a course prior to race day, with all its electricity and excitement, learning every twist and turn, landmark, hill and even crowd support on a race course. In addition to training, displaced runners also have an opportunity to participate remotely and “officially,” whether deployed half a world away, or locally right in their living room or health club. 

During Covid, virtual races became a lifeline for many events, offering an alternative to no race at all, but Outside Interactive brings the experience to a whole other level, by creating a race day course simulation, allowing remote participants to see, hear and feel a course on their cardio equipment, hills and all, at their exact pace, even giving entrants the opportunity to break the finisher’s tape. “When I’m asked how a course simulation differs from a virtual race, I ask,” What makes your race unique? It’s the course of course!” 

McNamee added, “What excites me the most about this, is just how well the two companies’ offerings fit together. It’s European elegance meets American edge.  It’s European Symphony Orchestra meets American Rock Band. It just works. And the races and remote participants are going to love the experience.”

“We’re very excited to have the Outside Interactive team become part of the Kinomap family,” stated Philippe Moity, Kinomap’s co-founder and CEO. Being based in Paris, with incredible events such as the Tour de France, early on our primary focus was course content for cycling. However, after listening to what people want, we have expanded our offerings into additional sports including running and even rowing, with the idea of making indoor training an outdoor experience.” Moity went on to state, “Kinomap is currently in fifteen languages, compatible with over two hundred different brands of cardio equipment, with over one thousand active content creators around the globe, offering over 300,000 miles of course content and growing. The Kinomap platform will benefit races who may have a regional presence but wish to expand to a global stage, also becoming a multi-sport event. Imagine someone half a world away being able to officially participate in a local foot race not just through running, but through cycling, spinning or even rowing!” Moity added, “We are also in preliminary discussions with the technical team for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, who are looking for ways to create unique experiences for viewers, including e-sports and gaming, allowing for actual audience participation. It is a very exciting time,” stated Moity, “and we are here to help get the world moving.”