Catapult Acquires Perch to Advance Athlete Monitoring Capabilities

About Catapult Group International Limited

Catapult Group International (ASX: CAT) is a global leader in sports performance technology, dedicated to transforming the way athletes and teams train, compete, and recover. With a strong reputation for harnessing cutting-edge wearable technology and sophisticated analytics, Catapult equips sports professionals worldwide with the tools necessary to gain a competitive edge.

The company’s core offerings include an advanced Athlete Monitoring System that tracks vital performance metrics in real time, enabling coaches and athletes to optimise training loads, prevent injuries, and enhance recovery strategies.

Their Sports Video Analysis Software integrates seamlessly with wearable data, providing comprehensive insights through detailed video breakdowns that highlight performance nuances and tactical opportunities on the field.

They also have their Race Analysis Software, engineered to capture and analyse critical race-day data, offering actionable feedback to improve racing tactics and overall efficiency.

Strategic Expansion into Athlete Performance and Health

The acquisition of Perch — the innovative athlete monitoring system born out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — reinforces Catapult’s commitment to providing holistic solutions that bridge on-field performance with off-field training insights.

Perch’s cutting-edge computer vision and artificial intelligence technology automatically tracks athlete strength training in real time using a compact, 3D camera. By integrating these capabilities, Catapult can now offer coaches and athletes detailed feedback on strength and conditioning sessions, providing a more complete picture of athlete development.

The new addition to Catapult’s portfolio is set to streamline data collection. The system’s ability to precisely track movements in the gym reduces hours of manual recording for performance analysts and allows training programs to be customised and adapted quickly, reflecting the evolving needs of elite teams worldwide.

Transaction Details and Financing Structure

Catapult acquired Perch for a total consideration of US$18 million. This deal was structured with US$3 million paid in cash at closing — utilising funds from Catapult’s existing cash reserves — and the remaining amount spread across four tranches via the issue of fully paid ordinary shares.

The tranches include immediate share issuances with varied lockup periods and additional issues projected to occur in December 2025 and June 2026.

In addition to the upfront payment, Perch shareholders will have the opportunity to participate in an earn-out of up to US$10 million in fully paid ordinary shares, contingent on achieving key annual contract value growth metrics between June 2027 and May 2028.

The combination of cash and equity reflects Catapult’s disciplined approach to growth opportunities, with the structure aligning with its Rule of 40 profile, ensuring that acquisitions contribute meaningfully to long-term operational metrics.

Integrated Technology and Market Impact

Catapult’s CEO emphasised that the merger of Catapult and Perch technologies will create a smarter, more connected system that seamlessly integrates athlete monitoring across on-field activities and weight room training.

This unified platform positions the company to significantly enhance data-driven decision making. By combining precise camera-based tracking with deep strength training analytics, Catapult is poised to offer performance tracking that appeals to some of the world’s most advanced professional teams.

The acquisition not only accelerates Catapult’s artificial intelligence initiatives but also reflects the company’s commitment to innovation in sports science. With over 25 million training repetitions already incorporated into its computer vision algorithms, Catapult is set to deliver even more robust and actionable performance insights across the global sports technology market.

Webcast and Further Developments

In conjunction with the acquisition announcement, Catapult will host a webcast briefing at 9:30 am Melbourne time on the 5th of June. This session, led by CEO Will Lopes and CFO Bob Cruickshank, will provide further details on the integration strategy and the anticipated benefits to athletes and teams.

Stakeholders and industry observers are invited to register for the live session, with a replay to be made available on the Catapult website thereafter.

Catapult’s acquisition of Perch marks a transformative moment for the company and the sports technology industry alike. By effectively bridging the gap between gym-based strength training and on-field performance metrics, the new integrated system is expected to drive faster and more informed decision making for professional teams.

As Catapult leverages this comprehensive approach, its seamless platform is set to redefine athlete monitoring and performance optimisation in the modern era of sports analytics.