Solyco Capital, a private equity firm in Detroit, led a $15 million Series A financing round for FluidLogic, a California startup that develops cutting-edge in-vehicle hydration solutions.
The investment will fund new product development and innovation for consumer products in the adventure sports and outdoor endurance categories. Consumer Active Hydration products will be available in early 2025.
Studies show a 1 percent drop in hydration can lead to a 12 percent drop in performance, and a 3-4 percent hydration loss could mean a 25-50 percent loss in performance and productivity, according to PubMed.
In addition, a study of 20 elite professional race car drivers done by Dr. David Ferguson, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University in East Lansing, found that on average, lap time speeds decreased by 5 seconds for each driver using one of FluidLogic’s in-vehicle system.
”Hydration is a driving pillar of peak performance,” says Sara Blackmer, CEO of FluidLogic and senior partner at Solyco Capital. “It improves reaction times, sustains focus, increases endurance, and prevents overheating by improving heat tolerance.”
In addition to new product development, the investment will allow FluidLogic to expand roles in R&D, sales and marketing, and operations, and contribute to product enhancements for FluidLogic’s existing in-vehicle systems. The investment also will fund additional research to improve the accuracy and reliability of FluidLogic’s proprietary sweat-loss algorithm across all consumer applications.
Since Solyco’s original investment in 2021, FluidLogic’s valuation has increased by 1,000 percent. Other FluidLogic investors include NBA All-Star and 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist Jrue Holiday, NFL Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph, U.S. Soccer star and Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday, and pro drivers Jimmie Johnson, Colton Herta, and Ryan Arciero.
“FluidLogic has been a staple of mine since Day 1, and is a critical element of my success,” Johnson says. “As a longtime user and proud investor, I have been a part of the hydration system’s evolution from its early days in off-road racing to its integration into NASCAR and IndyCar. It’s incredible to see FluidLogic incorporate my feedback for product improvements, and I can’t wait to continue my involvement with the company as they expand and offer new products.”
This Series A Extension investment comes on the heels of a $1.9 million Tactical Funds Increase (TACFI) from the US Air Force to develop an ecosystem of intelligent wearable and in-vehicle hydration systems to optimize water intake and greatly improve the performance of military personnel in the Air Force. This builds on an initial contract of $750,000 with the Department of Defense in 2022.
