ShotTracker raises $10.4M round featuring former NBA Commissioner David Stern
May 16, 2018 | Bobby Burch
Merriam-based ShotTracker is fueling its global expansion via a large funding round featuring several high-profile investors.
The sports tech company announced Wednesday that it raised a $10.4 million Series A financing round led by Ward.Ventures, NBA commissioner David Stern and two-time National League home run champion, Ryan Howard. The round also includes Greycroft, Elysian Ventures, KC Rise Fund, Irish Angels and SeventySix Capital.
ShotTracker co-founders Davyeon Ross and Bruce Ianni.
The injection of new capital brings ShotTracker’s total funding to more than $21 million, which includes an investment by NBA legend, Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
ShotTracker’s TEAM system tracks multiple players with an array of sensors — secured to each player, within each Spalding basketball, and in the rafters — plotting the games’ shots in real time.
ShotTracker will use the funding for growth and scalability to increase installations in courts around the United States and to solidify global partnership opportunities, said Davyeon Ross, co-founder and COO of ShotTracker.
“This additional funding allows ShotTracker to execute on its vision and accelerate the proliferation of our product across the market,” said Ross. “Whether you’re a fan, a player, a coach, a broadcaster or a market maker – ShotTracker is changing the overall experience of the game. There are significant changes happening in sports and ShotTracker is poised to capitalize on those industry changes with its real-time data.”
In March, the company released its new ShotTracker fan app for the Division 1 NAIA basketball tournament. The app combines real-time analytics with augmented reality in a first-of-its-kind fan engagement tool that displays game and player information on fans’ smartphones.
ShotTracker recently earned a bronze Edison Award in the category of “Digitized Data.” The tech is being used by the University of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor and several other top collegiate basketball programs.
ShotTracker was co-founded by Ross and Bruce Ianni. To learn more about the firm, check out the video below.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KCultivator Q&A: ‘Fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams on starting with nothing but his smile
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana Kander, Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold, Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter. Jordan…
KC designers put streetwear innovation, culture on Kritiq runway (Photos)
Fashion entrepreneurs at Sunday night’s Kritiq fashion show shared many of the same struggles on their ways to the runway, Mark Launiu said. “One of our designers here was asked, ‘What’s your inspiration?’ And I think a lot of us can relate,” said Launiu, co-founder at MADE Urban Apparel and lead organizer of the event.…
Tax bill guts historic tax credits used to rehab Westport Commons, Kemper, lofts
Plexpod Westport Commons wouldn’t exist without the historic tax credits used to make the massive renovation and preservation project financially feasible, said developer Butch Rigby. A GOP-led tax reform bill introduced this month to simplify the tax code, however, would eliminate the Reagan-era tax credit program, which provides a 20 percent federal tax credit for…
Ruby Jean’s juices unity, entrepreneurism with Troost opening (Photos)
Chris Goode is helping change what Troost Avenue means to Kansas City, pastor Stanley Archie said Saturday morning at the grand opening of Ruby Jean’s Kitchen & Juicery. Troost has been a place of division, he said, noting years of racial segregation along the corridor where those with a “permanent tan” weren’t welcome west of…