Royi Metser

Post-pitch story

Royi Metser pitched Avelo as the world's first smart running shoe. Sensors in the shoe track how you run, from stride to foot strike, and an app turns that into coaching, with a subscription model built around replaceable sensor parts. Season 13, Episode 5 aired in April 2025. The Pitch doesn't list Avelo as funded from the episode, so Metser took his case straight to runners. In the summer of 2025, Avelo launched a Kickstarter campaign. By mid-August, 9to5Mac reported it had raised more than $190,000 from 921 backers, with shipping planned for December 2025. PitchBook also lists an early-stage venture round in November 2025, with 51Ventures among the investors, though the amount wasn't disclosed. Not everyone was sold. One running-industry newsletter questioned whether runners would pay a subscription for sensors in their shoes. That's the real test for Avelo: crowdfunding proves curiosity, but repeat customers prove a business. For now, Avelo has turned a podcast appearance into hundreds of real buyers and new backing. The next chapter is getting shoes onto feet and seeing how many runners stick around.