Rice partners with BeOne Sports to transform athlete performance with AI technology

Rice University’s Office of Innovation and Rice Athletics have formed a strategic partnership with BeOne Sports, an innovative startup founded by Rice alumni that is pioneering advanced sports performance technology. This collaboration aims to elevate Rice’s status as a national leader in athletic achievement and research-driven innovation, positioning the university as a testing ground for state-of-the-art, holistic care technologies for student-athletes.

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By integrating BeOne Sports’ mobile motion-capture AI and advanced data analytics with Rice’s premier sports medicine and rehabilitation programs, the partnership sets a new standard for athlete care, injury prevention and performance optimization.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with Rice University’s mission to harness innovation for the betterment of our community,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “By integrating cutting-edge technology from BeOne Sports with our already world-class athletic and academic programs, we are providing our student-athletes with the tools they need to excel both on the field and in life. This collaboration is a testament to Rice’s commitment to leading through innovation and offering unparalleled opportunities for our students.”

Game-changer: AI-enhanced sports performance

BeOne Sports is recognized for its groundbreaking AI-based “Comparative Training” technology, which digitizes and analyzes elite athletes’ biomechanics using just a mobile device. With a comprehensive global database of human movement integrated into the platform, Rice athletes will gain access to high-level performance comparisons and data-driven insights. This collaboration will enhance Rice’s capabilities in athlete monitoring, rehabilitation and injury prevention, said Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics.

“At Rice Athletics, we are always striving to be at the forefront of innovation, and our partnership with BeOne Sports exemplifies that commitment,” McClelland said. “By leveraging their state-of-the-art AI technology and data analytics, we can elevate how we support and develop our athletes — ensuring they are healthier, stronger and better prepared to succeed both athletically and academically. We’re excited about how this collaboration will position Rice as a leader in athlete care and performance.”

Born from Rice, built for the future

BeOne Sports was co-founded by Rice MBA alumni Scott Deans and Jason Bell alongside former Rice student-athlete James McNaney. Emerging from Rice’s prestigious Jones Graduate School of Business’ entrepreneurial track, the company focuses on utilizing AI computer vision technology to enhance athletic performance, provide exposure and offer elite-level training. By making its technology accessible through mobile platforms, BeOne Sports aims to democratize access to sports training, providing advanced resources to a wider audience.

“BeOne Sports was born from the collaborative environment at Rice, where business leaders and engineers work together to solve real-world problems” said Deans, CEO of BeOne Sports. “We’re thrilled to continue that journey with Rice Athletics as we build the world’s first human recognition models specifically designed for sports performance and beyond. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge technology to maximize potential in the simplest, fastest and most versatile ways possible. This partnership with Rice is an exciting step toward democratizing access to sports technology for athletes and coaches at all levels.”

Rice’s commitment to innovation

Rice is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, where cutting-edge technology and world-class education intersect to create meaningful impacts across various fields. The partnership with BeOne Sports exemplifies this vision, enhancing the university’s athletic and academic offerings while reinforcing Rice’s dedication to fostering an ecosystem where transformative ideas can thrive, said Paul Cherukuri, Rice’s chief innovation officer and vice president for innovation.

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“BeOne Sports exemplifies the innovative spirit we champion at Rice, where entrepreneurship and engineering excellence converge,” Cherukuri said. “As a startup founded by former Rice MBA students and athletes in collaboration with our computer science engineers, BeOne reflects Rice’s dedication to cultivating talent and driving transformative change. This partnership showcases how our innovation ecosystem is expanding beyond business into athletics, creating new opportunities that benefit both our students and the world at large.”

Beyond advanced performance tools and analytics, the partnership will also create academic and professional development opportunities for Rice students and faculty. Initiatives will include internships, research projects and collaborations on innovative ventures, offering a “living portfolio” approach that provides hands-on experience in sports technology. This prepares students for careers at the intersection of science, athletics and technology.