Parija Kavilanz @CNNMoney March 18, 2015: 6:59 AM ET
Star athletes hot on Hyperice
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Hyperice founder Anthony Katz still can't believe his entrepreneurial beginner's luck.
"I've loved sports all my life," said Katz. "I surf, I play basketball, but I've never started a business."
When he launched Hyperice in 2010, he hit it out of the park.
The Irvine, Calif.-based startup makes a series of ice-compression wraps priced from $75 to $120 to use on sports-related injuries. Unlike other ice packs on the market, Katz said his design removes excess air, allowing the icepack to conform to the body and stay in place.
Its latest product, the $200 "Vyper," uses vibration technology instead of ice to relax muscles.
Katz, a former high school teacher and basketball coach, spent two years on R&D, sending his prototypes to athletes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. He raised $4.5 million from investors, including athletes Lindsey Vonn and Hope Solo.
He started selling the products online in 2012. Last year, he logged $1.5 million in sales. He expects to reach $5 million this year after his products hit retail stores like Dick's(DKS) and Sports Authority.
"2015 is going to be our first profitable year," said Katz.
