Ida Sports Secures $2M Investment for Women-First Cleats

Ida Sports has secured a $2 million investment to expand its production of cleats specifically designed for women and girls. This funding round was led by Kynisca, a newly established organization focused on promoting women's sports globally, with additional contributions from Elysian Park Ventures, Firebird Ventures, and Tipt Ventures. The investment marks a significant step forward for Ida Sports, which has been dedicated to creating footwear catering to female athletes' unique needs.

“There is minimal sports science research focused solely on female athletes, resulting in training routines, performance recovery plans and shoe and clothing designs with a male body type as the baseline,” said Michele Kang, Founder of Kynisca. “IDA challenges this traditional way of thinking, creating high performance, comfortable footwear for female athletes to maximize potential on the field. Women’s sports should never be an afterthought – they should be recognized as a standalone, commercially viable product and it’s exciting to partner with an innovative brand that shares the same sentiment.”

FM Insights

• Ida Sports received a $2 million investment to enhance the production of women-first cleats.
• Kynisca, led by Michele Kang, spearheaded the investment round.
• The cleats are designed with features that prioritize female athletes' performance and comfort.
• The brand has seen significant revenue growth and plans to incorporate athlete feedback into future designs.

Investment Details

The $2 million investment will be utilized for:

• Product Development: Enhancing the design and production of cleats tailored for women.
• Brand Marketing: Increasing visibility and outreach to female athletes.
• Athlete Feedback Initiative: Launching a program to gather insights from female athletes to inform future designs.

Unique Features of Ida Cleats

Ida Sports distinguishes itself by offering cleats specifically designed for the female foot. Key features include:

• Wider Toe Box: Provides more room for comfort and performance.
• Enhanced Arch Support: Aids in reducing injury risk and improving stability.
• Narrower Heel Cup: Ensures a better fit for female athletes.

The Vision Behind Ida Sports

Laura Youngson, co-founder and CEO of Ida Sports, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership with Kynisca, stating,  “IDA has always had the singular goal of investing in female athletes to provide them with the products that they not only deserve but ones that can also help maximize their performance. I could not think of a better partnership than with Michele Kang and Kynisca, who are also taking a direct approach in addressing the inequities that female athletes face through action and investment,” said Youngson.

“We are very excited to have Michele’s belief and backing and look forward to continuing to lead the industry in research and design for female players.”

The Future of Women's Sports Footwear

The investment from Kynisca is part of a broader movement to recognize and support women's sports as a commercially viable sector. Michele Kang, the founder of Kynisca, emphasized the need for more research on female athletes, stating, "There is minimal sports science research focused solely on female athletes, resulting in training routines, performance recovery plans, and shoe designs with a male body type as the baseline."

Ida Sports aims to challenge this traditional approach by creating high-performance, comfortable footwear that maximizes potential on the field. The brand's growth trajectory is promising, tripling its revenues in 2023 and projecting similar growth for 2024.