New technology from startup ventures is transforming the global sports industry. This Startup Series has introduced over 300 startup companies in the sports technology space to a broader audience by allowing Founders of promising new ventures to tell their story and pitch their idea. Feel free to submit your startup’s answers to the below questions or contact us if you know of a startup that should be considered for inclusion in this series.
This series is supported by Stadia Ventures. If you are a sports technology startup looking for strategic investors, we recommend checking out their upcoming accelerator programs.
Company name: iRecruit1440
Founder(s): David B. Grewe III
Headquarters: Nashville, TN
1. What is your elevator pitch?
Our passion and focus is to drastically influence sports. One of the ways we are doing so is by rewriting the college recruiting and selection process through the use of data and technology.
We are the first-to-market to score and rank the critical attributes in all college athletic programs, and then use those scores to match athletes with programs based on personal preferences. Now, high-school athletes can leverage their skill and align their talent with the right fit programs.
Our application is powered by a patent-pending algorithm, comparative analytics, performance data, and search and filter technology.
Now, prior to accepting a scholarship or choosing a program, high school athletes and families will be able to search, compare, and evaluate college athletic programs through an equal and objective standard.
We look at it like this … If college sports and google got married and had a baby, it’s name would be iRecruit1440. Our slogan is … DECISIONS MADE RIGHT.
iR1440 Landing from David Grewe on Vimeo.
2. Problem & Solution
We know the college recruiting process can be confusing, overwhelming or even non-existence. On top of that, from a college coaching perspective, the recruiting process will not change. It’s the lifeblood of college athletics.
So what’s the solution … Eliminate confusion and create balance.
See, confusion exists for three main reasons, 1) there are multiple factors that go into the college recruiting and selection process (for example, cost of scholarship, cost of school, playing opportunities, location of school, reputation of coach, success of programs, etc.). 2) The competitive nature of the industry creates a lack of transparency. Players and families have a very difficult time knowing the truth and insider workings of every program. And, 3) every recruit has different needs and wants.
So what has to happen … CHANGE … something NEW and BETTER. What we call disruptive CHANGE. CHANGE that helps everyone but affects only a select group. CHANGE that balances the entire recruiting process for everyone involved yet empowers the high school athlete.
We are providing this needed change. Now, instead of being confused with what coaches are saying, overwhelmed with school options, or frustrated with the limited amount of time to choose a dream school, high school athletes and families NOW HAVE a centralized platform to search, find, and compare college athletic programs against each other.
3. Market – your target market and the overall market
The US college sports recruiting market is split between 6M total high school athletes, of which 1M who will be actively recruited, and 500K will be offered college sport opportunities.
We have a patent-pending for 12 total sports with a realistic customer-acquisition goal of securing 20-30% of actively recruited high school athletes as members.
4. Business Model – how do you make money?
Our membership platform and subscription options will create both a recurring revenue stream and a one-day payback period. We will also have large revenue opportunities through sport sponsorships and additional new product training services.
5. Management Team – with titles
David B. Grewe III is the founder and Chief Performance Officer.
Connie Hein is a founding member and head of project management.
Joe Heary is a founding member and CTO. Josh Rattray is a founding member and head of data and research.
Tyler Wolfe is a founding member and President of the football division.
6. Financial Needs: are you currently looking for investment? Have you raised investment already? If so, who are your investors?
We plan to use the revenue from this market to create a massive participation increase in the youth sports industry by creating new opportunities for the marginal and below average skilled athlete.
