SOURCE: Intelligent Marking
HjĆørring, Denmark, and Acworth, Georgia ā March 7, 2019 ā Intelligent Marking, creator of the first and best-selling autonomous robots for GPS line marking on sports fields, today announced the expansion of its U.S. subsidiary in Georgia with a dozen new sales and support staff. This new aggressive global expansion for the Danish startup was made possible with the completion of a multi-million dollar funding round led by investor Johnny Laursen, CEO at Benjamin Capital.
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SOURCE: Intelligent Marking
HjĆørring, Denmark, and Acworth, Georgia ā March 7, 2019 ā IntelligentĀ Marking, creator of the first and best-selling autonomous robots for GPS lineĀ marking on sports fields, today announced the expansion of its U.S.Ā subsidiary in Georgia with a dozen new sales and support staff. This new aggressiveĀ global expansion for the Danish startup was made possible with theĀ completion of a multi-million dollar funding round led by investor Johnny Laursen,Ā CEO at Benjamin Capital.
Ā āWe are now positioned to rapidly grow and support our robotic sportsĀ turf line marking solution and dominate the U.S. marketplace in 2019 and beyondĀ with this new strategically placed sales force and product support team,āĀ said Jason Aldridge, President, Intelligent Marking USA, Inc. āWeāreĀ excited about having an existing customer base, which has already proven theirĀ labor improvements and cost savings, in combination with a newly formedĀ sales structure and support staff, all within no more than a 4-hour drive fromĀ any prospect in the nation.āĀ
Intelligent Marking, founded by co-CEOs Anders Ulrik SĆørensen and AndreasĀ Ydesen as a high school project in 2014, is well under way to automating theĀ painting of sports facilities worldwide, a market worth billions of dollars.Ā The patented Intelligent One can mark lines on all types of sports fieldsĀ (i.e. soccer, football, lacrosse) on natural grass or artificial turf,Ā managed through a mobile app, eliminating the need for an operator whileĀ increasing precision and sustainability. Intelligent One is already sold or leased toĀ non-profit sports organizations, municipalities, school districts, privateĀ schools, commercial contractors and professional teams in Europe, the U.S.,Ā Australia and Japan.Ā
"Our customers have as many as 250 playing fields that need to be paintedĀ continuously, and once they try autonomous line marking with Intelligent One,Ā they find that they cannot do without it,ā SĆørensen said. āWith ourĀ robot, they just have to choose the desired sport type and field layout, push aĀ button, and then the robot will drive from field to field and make sureĀ that the lines are accurate and precise. Some of our customers have provenĀ annual savings of nearly 70 percent."
The manufacturerās suggested retail price for the robot is $49,999, andĀ based on prior experience with customers, the return on investment is 12 to 18Ā months. Companies, organizations and local authorities can also choose toĀ lease the robot solution for less than $899 per month.
Sound investment team
Johnny Laursen, CEO of Benjamin Capital and well known in Denmark forĀ several successful company startups and investment projects, will become 10Ā percent owner of the company. According to Laursen, he chose to get involved withĀ Intelligent Marking because he sees the enormous potential for theĀ Intelligent One robot.
"I do this because I am convinced that it is a very good investment,āĀ Laursen said. āI have followed them for some years, and I just love these guysĀ and all the vigor, humbleness, ingenuity and diligence they put into it.Ā They have already overcome many challenges and that has made them stronger. IĀ love being part of this.ā
Other investors include Jacob Risgaard (Coolshop), Mikkel Jacobsen (Carsoe), and Henrik Jørgensen (Rævskær Holding), who acts as the company chairman of the board. This newly formed group of four investors provide the financial strength to reinforce and expand this new vertical market opportunity engineered by Intelligent Marking.
About Intelligent Marking:
Founded in 2015 by Anders Ulrik SĆørensen and Andreas Ydesen, IntelligentĀ Marking Ltd. is the company behind the world's first and most comprehensiveĀ autonomous line marking robot. Intelligent Marking USA, Inc. is a U.S.Ā subsidiary of Intelligent Marking, situated in Acworth, Georgia. Notable customersĀ from the United States include Raymond James Stadium, Florida; PremierĀ Sports Campus, Florida; Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation, Louisiana; Grand ParkĀ Sports Campus, Indiana; Round Rock Sportsplex, Texas; Austin Bold FC, Texas;Ā Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts; City of Salt Lake City, Utah; Town ofĀ Arlington, Tennessee; City of Decatur, Alabama; City of Springdale, Arizona; CityĀ of Allen, Texas; City of Dallas, Texas; City of Chesterfield, Missouri;Ā Sozo Sports Campus, Washington; Legacy Sports Center, Michigan; University ofĀ Rhode Island, Rhode Island; New United FC, Wisconsin; Fortress Obetz Stadium,Ā Ohio; Sauk-Rapids School District, Minnesota; Bozeman Sports Complex,Ā Montana; and WRAL Soccer Park, North Carolina