On October 28, Swiss sports technology brand X-Bionic announced that renowned alpine skier Marco Odermatt has become the brand’s newest investor, though the specific investment amount has not been disclosed.
Marco Odermatt has previously served as a brand ambassador for X-Bionic. At only 27, he is considered one of the best alpine skiers of his generation, achieving outstanding results, including a gold medal in the men’s giant slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, dual championships at the 2023 World Alpine Skiing Championships, and three consecutive Alpine Skiing World Cup overall titles.
Above left: Marco Odermatt; above right: X-BIONIC CEO Maximilian Lenk.
Marco Odermatt stated, “X-BIONIC products have accompanied me throughout my career and are an essential part of my success. Whether in summer or winter training and competitions, X-BIONIC serves as my first layer of protection.
In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to closely experience X-BIONIC’s highly innovative products and the continuous development of the technology behind them. The X-BIONIC team’s commitment to innovation and quality, along with their dedication to improvement, aligns with my own values. I’m proud to invest in this Swiss company, and I look forward to collaborating with the brand’s team to further develop its technology and products.”
X-BIONIC CEO Maximilian Lenk said, “We are thrilled to elevate our partnership with Marco and welcome him as an investor. His relentless pursuit of excellence, both on and off the slopes, inspires our entire team. We have ambitious plans for our collaboration with Marco.”
Following this announcement, X-BIONIC and Marco Odermatt launched the MARCO & X-BIONIC collaboration, introducing an energy-accumulating performance ski base layer (pictured below).
Founded in 1998, X-BIONIC was created by Dr. Bodo Lambertz, a scientist with a background in aerospace engineering who also studied industrial engineering, industrial economics, and psychology. Before founding the brand, he managed a human resources research institute.
X-BIONIC originated from developing intelligent clothing for the Swiss military to withstand extreme weather, enabling soldiers to wear the same outfit whether in -20°C snowy mountains or 40°C deserts while maintaining body comfort. This led to the patented Energy Accumulator® temperature-regulating series. To date, the brand holds over 800 technology patents worldwide.
Today, X-BIONIC products are used as training and competition gear by ski teams across Europe, providing performance base layers and ski socks for all athletes in the Chinese national ski team across 11 snow sports at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
X-BIONIC’s offerings include functional base layers, mid-layers, outer layers, trail running shoes, high-performance X-SOCKS accessories, and more, covering various activities such as running, skiing, cycling, and urban leisure. The long-sleeve functional base layer sells for around USD 208, and outerwear generally starts at USD 417.
To date, X-Bionic has marketed its products in over 50 countries and regions worldwide. In 2011, X-Socks entered the Chinese market, and in 2013, X-BIONIC officially entered the Chinese outdoor retail market. In 2020, Beijing Sanfo Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. acquired all IP rights for X-Bionic in China for RMB 78.83 million.
| Source: Official press release; official WeChat public account; Luxe.CO historical report
| Image Credit: Official press release; official WeChat public account
| Editor: LeZhi
