Matthew is a visionary leader with a passion for weightlifting and technology. As a qualified mechatronics engineer and engineer at RocketLab, he brings a deep understanding of embedded systems and IMUs (Inertial Measurement Units). His love for weightlifting inspired the creation of LiftLink, where he combines his technical expertise with his fitness journey to revolutionise the gym experience.
Anthony is a passionate computer systems engineer specialising in embedded systems, electronic design, and software development. As a Product Development Engineer at Fisher & Paykel, he brings a deep understanding of software-hardware integration, driving LiftLink’s innovation and performance.
Rory holds a degree in mechatronics engineering and works as an Operations Engineer at Fisher & Paykel. With a background in R&D, coding, and engineering, he’s passionate about advancing fitness technology. A dedicated weightlifter, he’s committed to making LiftLink a top-tier fitness app that supports beginners and seasoned athletes alike.
Carlos is our medical advisor, ensuring that LiftLink is scientifically robust and accurate. Currently a final-year medical student at the University of Auckland, he has a strong interest in the intersection of medicine and technology. Carlos is passionate about weightlifting and has conducted research at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. He’s helping design the product and user experience to ensure LiftLink delivers realistic and actionable insights.
Katrina is the operations officer at LiftLink, handling product development and logistics. With a mechatronics engineering background and experience in software, R&D, and HR, she brings technical expertise to the team. She’s also a core network engineer at 2degrees and a New Zealand rep ice skater, coach and dancer, offering a unique perspective on performance and fitness.
Frustrated with the limitations of existing workout trackers, we set out to build something more complete - a comprehensive system that monitors performance and provides useful data and instruction. We felt a personal connection to this challenge, having experienced first-hand the struggles of tracking weightlifting progress, avoiding injury and structuring effective routines.
Our original solution, Smartbell, was a “smart dumbbell” designed as a virtual personal trainer integrated into traditional dumbbells and a mobile app. The device tracked weight, reps, and progress while offering real-time feedback to prevent injury and muscle imbalances. This was our first step in creating a tool to optimise workouts.
With a refined prototype and a growing team, we entered the Velocity $100k Challenge, focusing on improving Smartbell’s design and technology to meet the needs of gym enthusiasts.
We pitched Smartbell at the Velocity $100k Challenge, showcasing our vision and how we planned to revolutionise workout tracking and performance monitoring.
Our hard work paid off when we were announced as winners of the Velocity $100k Challenge. This milestone validated our solution and gave us the momentum to push forward.
While Smartbell was well-received, we encountered challenges related to manufacturing and scalability. To better serve our target market, we decided to pivot from the "smart dumbbell" concept to a more practical wearable device, keeping our core technology and vision intact but shifting the delivery method.
Smartbell officially launched in January 2024, marking the start of our journey to bring innovative workout tracking technology to fitness enthusiasts. While we had pivoted away from the original dumbbell concept, we continued under the Smartbell brand as we worked on the wearable version of our product.
Shortly after launching, we gained entry into VentureLab, where we continued developing our product and refining our business strategy.
We formed key partnerships and gathered feedback from industry experts and users to further develop our product, ensuring it would meet the needs of modern gym-goers.
In January 2025, we officially rebranded from Smartbell to LiftLink. The new name reflects our shift from the original dumbbell concept to a wearable device, aligning with our vision of syncing seamlessly with users' workouts and performance data. From this point forward, everything under the Smartbell brand transitioned to LiftLink, marking a new chapter in our journey.
After months of collaboration with industry experts and feedback from users, we are thrilled to deliver a product designed to elevate the gym experience. Throughout our development process, we've ensured every detail meets the expectations of modern fitness enthusiasts.
Your journey to smarter, safer workouts starts now.
LiftLink isn't just a tool; it’s a movement. Join a vibrant community of fitness enthusiasts who are smashing their goals and sharing their progress. Compete, connect, and stay motivated with like-minded individuals.
