Stoko

Stoko, a Vancouver-based company established in 2017, operates within the supportive apparel market, creating a new category at the intersection of medical devices and athletic wear. The firm was founded by mechanical engineer Zack Eberwein, who serves as CEO, and Canadian Olympic gymnast Scott Morgan, who is the Director of Operations. The inspiration for Stoko came from Eberwein's own frustrating experiences with traditional, bulky knee braces following a significant injury. This personal journey led to the mission of creating supportive equipment that athletes would actually want to wear, merging medical-grade support with the comfort and aesthetics of high-end athletic apparel.

The company's core business revolves around the design, manufacturing, and direct-to-consumer sale of supportive apparel. Its primary offering is the K-series of tights, such as the K1, which are registered as Class 1 medical devices with both Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are aimed at a broad spectrum of athletes, from professionals in the NFL and NBA to recreational enthusiasts engaged in activities like skiing, hiking, and running. Revenue is generated primarily through e-commerce sales on its website, supplemented by partnerships with medical professional affiliates and wholesale partners.

Stoko's flagship product integrates the company's proprietary Embrace System™ technology directly into compression tights. This system features over 90 feet of high-strength, lightweight cables woven into the fabric to mimic the body's natural musculature and ligaments. This design provides anatomically correct joint support comparable to a traditional rigid brace. A key feature is the inclusion of integrated control dials, allowing users to customize and adjust the level of tension and support on each leg independently. This functionality offers athletes targeted support during activity and rehabilitation, promoting confidence and potentially preventing future injuries. The products are constructed from recycled materials and are machine-washable, addressing the practicality and comfort limitations of conventional braces.

Financially, Stoko has demonstrated early-stage growth, securing $6 million in a 2021 seed funding round from a group of angel investors, which included notable figures like the former CFO of Lululemon. This brought the company's total funding to approximately $10 million at the time. Initially launched as Embrace Orthopaedics, the company rebranded to Stoko to better reflect its broader vision of stoking a passion for activity, moving beyond the purely medical connotation of a brace. Keywords: supportive apparel, medical-grade compression tights, knee brace alternative, athletic injury recovery, joint support technology, direct-to-consumer athletic wear, sports medicine apparel, Embrace System, Zack Eberwein, Scott Morgan, adjustable compression, athlete rehabilitation, injury prevention clothing, functional activewear, sports technology, athletic gear, wearable tech, Class 1 medical device, high-performance sportswear, orthopedic apparel, K1 supportive tight