Joel Parkinson is one of a number of big names backing sports data platform Liveheat

An all-in-one live scoring, live result event management software platform is expanding globally following a successful raise which attracted major sports and industry figures.

Former world surfing champion Joel Parkinson in action.

Former world surfing champion Joel Parkinson has joined a roster of talent backing a growing all-in-one live scoring, live result event management software platform for action sports.

Following an $1.3m seed funding raise, Liveheats is scaling up the acceleration of global expansion and product development for sporting events across more than 60 countries.

The company recently reached $2m in revenu and is setting its sights on achieving $10m by 2028.

Notable backers include email marketing software company Campaign Monitor co-founder Ben Richardson, founding CEO of neobank 86 400 Robert Bell, ex CFO of 86 400 Belinda Hogan and Trevor Folsom – co-founder of venture capital firm Investible, an early investor in Canva and Car Next Door.

Parkinson has long been passionate about developing young talent.

“Liveheats allows young competitors to track every result, every stat – it’s a game-changer,” he says. “This platform is an incredibly valuable tool to support today’s up and coming talent, driving performance improvement through data – I wish I had access to this innovative technology when I was competing.”

Joel Parkinson leaves the water after his heat at the Gold Coast Pro, Burleigh Heads.

Founded in 2016 by Chris Friend and Fernando Freire, Liveheats was born from their shared passion for surfing and competing, after observing a gap within the surfing community for sophisticated digital competition management.

Judges can enter scores directly on phones or tablets, making the technology accessible whether in remote locations or professional arenas. For athletes, the platform captures and stores every event, round, heat, score and now photo, providing personalised data and rich insights to help improve performance.

In 2024 alone, Liveheat powered over 4000 events globally, serving 131,265 athletes and recording more than 2 million scores.

Green light

A Brisbane-based global privately-owned munitions company has scored some huge back-to-back wins across the Pacific.

NIOA Group has got the green light from local Tennessee authorities to build a $120m firearms factory for its fully-owned subsidiary Barrett Firearms on a 69ha site in Rutherford County.

The factory plan, which recently won a five-year $1.3m property tax abatement, faced opposition from neighbours, who wanted to keep the area residential.

NIOA also scored another win in the US with Barrett’s grenade rifle system, designed from scratch in six months, getting the thumbs up from the US Army Barrett.

The Barrett and MARS Inc. team win US. Army xTech Soldier Lethality Competition with revolutionary 30mm Precision Grenadier System.

Charity

The recent Property Industry Foundation’s Brisbane Charity Regatta at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, raising $150,000 for homeless youth.

There were 41 yachts setting sail with industry teams from more than 35 organisations manning the helm, including Built, Kane Constructions, Charter Hall, KPMG, Colliers, and AVID Property Group.

Over 400 construction and property leaders, Property Industry Foundation members, volunteers, industry guests, and a youth representative attended the Foundation’s eleventh annual Regatta.

The winners of this year’s charity race was Rider Levett Bucknall sailing Echidna.

Property Industry Foundation’s QLD State Manager Antoinette Rusby-Perera says the event raises much-needed funds and awareness for Queensland’s homeless youth, who make up 37 per cent of the state’s homeless population.

“The regatta is always such a fantastic occasion and opportunity for the industry to come together to have fun while making a real difference,” she says.

After the Property Industry Foundation Regatta which raised $150,000.