Gold-Medal Tech

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Although television has given Dartfish invaluable exposure, it doesn't pay the bulk of the bills. Of the company's $5 million in 2003 sales, only 15%, or $750,000, came from television; athletic-training software accounted for the rest. The company says the Athens Olympics will generate only 8% to 10% of this year's $7.5 million in expected revenue. Professional teams (in the U.S., 10 baseball, basketball and football franchises use Dartfish), colleges, youth coaches and other sports markets supply most of the company's funds. In France golf pros have taken to Dartfish. In one British school district, gym teachers dissect their students' badminton swings with the program. "With television and the Olympic sports, we are starting at the top of the pyramid," says Bergonzoli. "Step by step, we'll work our way down and tap into the millions of coaches and athletes who will want this software." A Little League coach who needs the basics can get Dartfish for $500. The pros dish out $5,000 for a more advanced version.

Few doubt Dartfish's value, but because of the perpetually crowded sports market, some question its long-term prospects. "The amateur athletes don't have much money to spend," says Leigh, who has also invested in sports-technology companies. "And the pros expect everything to be given to them. It's a tough row to hoe." Bergonzoli says the pros get no freebies from Dartfish and that downward pressure on tech costs will increase volume. The company, which grew 40% last year, broke even for the first time this past quarter. For a young tech firm like Dartfish, that's cause for a series of backflips. In StroMotion. With reporting by Helena Bachmann/Fribourg