SWEETIE’s story
Founded during the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, SWEETIE (Striving for Wellness, Empowerment, and Evolution, Technological Innovation for Everyone) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of improving people’s health and well-being. The impact of the pandemic made us come to the profound realization of how important good health is in preventing illness as well as enhancing the quality of life. This set out on a mission to empower individuals to take precipitate development in fitness in a scientific way and foster confidence!
Initially established as a general health initiative, our focus expanded in 2021 when my younger brother Morpheus showed immense talent at soccer while training under renowned coach Kaneko Takayuki. However, while watching him play, I noticed a lack of modern training resources that resulted in frequent injuries and poor performance among Chinese youth players. This made me realize the need for more modern equipment to track their fitness and improve their performance.
Realizing the transformative potential of technology in enhancing athletic performance, we pivoted SWEETIE’s focus towards utilizing technology to aid young soccer players in improving their skills and overall health. We strongly believe that by enabling access to cutting-edge technologies such as wearable devices, performance-tracking apps, and other innovative solutions, we are able to not only enhance their performance but also empower them to reach their full potential in the field.
With a deep passion for science and engineering, our team transforms from mere concepts into tangible realities. We aim to bridge the gap between the love for soccer and the limited resources available to young players in China, ensuring that their passion for the sport is not hampered by the lack of technological advancements.
We welcome you along on our journey in harnessing technology to unlock the young athletes’s full potential and inspire a healthier future for all. Together, we will make a lasting difference in the lives of these young individuals and empower them to thrive in their sports careers and beyond!
BOARD MEMBERS
Maxwell Gu
Founder, Director of Management,
Dulwich College Suzhou,
China
Maxwell is a deep enthusiast of both engineering and philosophy. Happening to also be a strong sports enthusiast, it was natural to see his younger brother’s talent in soccer, Maxwell sought to find ways to support his brother’s growth. It was during this journey that he had a breakthrough realization: fitness lies at the core of success in all sports. This revelation sparked a wave of inspiration within Maxwell’s head, leading him to create a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering children to enhance their fitness levels meaningfully and enduringly by making smart, high-tech fitness trackers.
Morpheus
Co-Founder, Director of Operations,
Easton High School,
Pennsylvania
Morpheus is the younger brother of Maxwell. Having played soccer since age 3, Morpheus has a tremendous love for touching the ball and becoming an ever-stronger player. He currently plays as the captain of his school’s soccer team as well as the external soccer club Allin. Morpheus’s passion is what prompted Maxwell to start the SWEETIE project in the first place.
ADVISORY BOARD
Li Yi
Li Yi is the Vice Chairman of the Suzhou Football Association, the Director of the Professional League Committee, the General Manager of Suzhou All-In Football Club Co., Ltd., and the General Manager of the 2034 Cup Sports Development (Suzhou) Co., Ltd—the largest, most prestigious youth competition in China.
Wu Dan
Wu Dan is currently the Vice President of engineering at Atantares, Suzhou. He graduated from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering with a Ph.D. and focuses on the research and development of biomedical systems. He has more than 10 years of scientific research and industrial experience in biochemistry and is a pioneer in related technology in improving people’s lives.
Chun Zhao
Dr. Chun Zhao is a highly accomplished researcher in emerging electronic devices, with extensive experience in process development, device design, and commercialization. He holds a BEng from Southeast University and a PhD from the University of Liverpool, and has contributed to over 150 peer-reviewed papers and presentations. Dr. Zhao is also the publication chair of The 17th & 18th IEEE International Conference on IC Design and Technology and has been awarded for his expertise in 3rd/4th generation semiconductors.
Kaneko Takayuki
Coach Kaneko was the former head of the Japanese U12 team, a director at the JFA National Training Center in Kanto, and the academy director of the professional club Mito Hollyhock. A highly experienced coach with a rare S-class license, Kaneko has coached for over 4 decades! He was dispatched to Jiangsu, China in June 2014 on a mission by the Japanese Football Association to improve China’s soccer. He is the current soccer director of Allin Soccer Club in Suzhou, where coaches Maxwell’s younger brother and more!
Partners
Wahoo Technology
Allin
