News 5 Category A 5 SmartGoals & Bestronics: A 10-Year collaboration!
SmartGoals & Bestronics: A 10-Year collaboration!

Jan 16, 2025

Ten years ago, SmartGoals began as an ambitious school project. The idea was simple yet bold: to design a sports product that uses technology to make training more interactive, dynamic, and efficient. At the time, connected devices—technologies that communicate with each other—were still a relatively new concept. This became the core of SmartGoals. Technology was at the heart of the project before the rest of the product even took shape.

The First Steps

With an innovative idea in hand, the young SmartGoals team sought a partner who could not only deliver technically but also collaborate closely with them. “We carefully selected companies to meet with,” says Chris Heger, the founder of SmartGoals. “Bestronics was the first on our list. The meeting we had there changed everything.”

What began as an introductory meeting quickly felt like the start of a partnership. “Anton, the CEO of Bestronics, completely surprised us. He said, ‘I’ve already ordered the components. That way, we can start quickly if you decide to work with us.’ This showed not only proactivity but also a deep understanding of our urgency and ambitions.”

Innovation and Technical Expertise

At SmartGoals, technology was the foundation upon which the rest of the product was built. At Bestronics, the process often works the other way around: a customer brings a final vision, and the Bestronics team works to find the best technological solutions to bring that vision to life. These contrasting approaches to innovation proved to be complementary.

The SmartGoals product, based on in-house IP-protected infrared and sensor technology, is enhanced with a Bluetooth communication protocol. This allows trainers to improve awareness, reaction speed, agility, and team play in dynamically changing game situations.

To ensure the quality and functionality of SmartGoals, Bestronics leveraged its technical expertise. The product incorporates potting, where the technology is encased to protect it from shocks, dust, and moisture, making the beacons suitable for all weather conditions. Both SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) and through-hole electronics were applied. For the LED lighting in SmartGoals, through-hole components were specifically chosen because they provide high-intensity light output. This is crucial, as football players often train in bright daylight, requiring the LEDs to remain highly visible.

An International Success

Today, SmartGoals has become a staple in the football, hockey and rugbyworld. Leading clubs from the Champions League and the Eredivisie use this innovative training product. The technology helps players at the highest level improve their performance. The fact that SmartGoals remains relevant after ten years underscores the quality and thoughtful design of the product.

Transparency and Trust

From the very beginning, Bestronics stood out for its transparency regarding costs and feasibility. “They were honest from the start about what was possible and what wasn’t, and that gave us confidence. We knew we had a partner who wasn’t just thinking short-term but was committed to building a long-term relationship,” says the SmartGoals team.

A Partnership for the Future

The journey of SmartGoals and Bestronics is more than just a collaboration; it is a story of mutual trust, shared vision, and continuous innovation. At Bestronics, we remain committed to transforming customer ideas—big or small—into success stories. SmartGoals is a shining example of this commitment. We look forward to the next ten years of innovation, collaboration, and growth.

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