Indiana-Based Ares Elite Sports Vision Joins Sports Tech HQ Collective

Ares Elite Sports Vision, an Indiana‑based startup that combines clinical optometry with next‑generation technology, today joins the Sports Tech HQ (STHQ) Collective. By treating vision and cognitive processing as trainable athletic skills, Ares Elite empowers athletes and coaches with objective data to see better, think faster, and react sooner.

Founded by neuro‑optometrist Dr. Joseph LaPlaca, Ares Elite grew out of a simple observation: traditional strength‑and‑conditioning programs often ignore the brain’s role in processing visual information. After years in clinical practice, Dr. LaPlaca saw athletes held back by poor contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and reaction time—even when their speed and strength were elite. Ares Elite was created to bring clinical rigor to sports, using technology to measure and improve vision like any other performance metric.

The Ares Elite Toolkit

• Comprehensive Evaluations: Athletes begin with an in‑depth battery, covering visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, perception span, and reaction time, to uncover unseen weaknesses.
• VR Game‑Speed Drills: Immersive simulations place athletes in realistic scenarios where tracking, decision‑making, and coordination are challenged under pressure, with every performance metric logged in real time.
• FitLight Reaction‑Speed Training: Wireless, light‑activated sensors measure and sharpen multi‑directional responses. In early tests, users have cut their drill times from 520–560 ms down to 210 ms—a nearly 60% improvement.
• Senaptec Sensory Station Exercises: Station‑based drills target peripheral awareness and eye‑hand coordination. Participants in a recent study boosted their overall sensory performance scores by more than 22%.

In a recent pilot with the Andretti Training Program, participants saw their simple reaction time improve by up to 27% and their overall sensory performance score rise by more than 22%. Early adopters also reported double‑digit gains in perception span and visual processing speed—measurable results that translate directly to on‑field success.

“Starting Ares Elite in Indianapolis was driven by a clear need,” says Dr. Joseph LaPlaca, Chief Vision Officer and Founder. “Too many athletes rely solely on physical drills and miss out on the vision and cognitive skills that win games. Our goal is simple: give every athlete the tools and data they need to see better, think faster, and react sooner.”

“Ares Elite is a perfect example of the innovation we’re cultivating in Indiana,” says Jeffrey Hintz, Executive Director of Sports Tech HQ. “They’re not just enhancing athlete performance—they’re redefining how we think about it. By turning vision and cognition into trainable skills, Ares Elite brings a clinical edge to sports technology that sets our ecosystem apart on the global stage.”

The Sports Tech HQ Collective has brought together more than 40 game‑changing companies in Indiana’s expanding sports technology ecosystem. Members benefit from partnerships, shared resources, and visibility in a community working to advance the $100 billion sports tech industry.

ABOUT SPORTS TECH HQ
Sports Tech HQ is a nonprofit organization fueling Indiana’s transformation into a global hub for sports technology. Home to a world-class sports infrastructure, Indiana provides the foundation for entrepreneurs to advance innovations that elevate the game for fans, athletes, and teams. Sports Tech HQ attracts companies from around the world to join its collective, positioning them at the forefront of an industry projected to reach $100 billion by 2030. Discover how these companies are driving the future of sports through Indiana’s robust ecosystem of partners at sthq.org.

ABOUT ARES ELITE SPORTS VISION
Ares Elite Sports Vision bridges the gap between athletic training and vision science. Through immersive VR simulations, FitLight reaction‑speed drills, and Senaptec Sensory Station exercises, Ares Elite delivers real‑time insights into visual acuity, cognitive processing, and sensorimotor integration. Its customizable programs empower athletes and coaches with objective data to measure progress, refine skills, and gain a competitive edge. Ares Elite remains committed to the relentless pursuit of athletic excellence.