Sports tech startup StatusPRO raises $5.2M; its tech is already used in the NFL

Facebook Tweet Pin LinkedIn Email

StatusPRO, a Miami-based sports technology and gaming company, raised $5.2 million to advance its technology that is already being used by NFL teams.

The seed funding round was led by KB Partners and TitletownTech, the investment vehicle established by Microsoft alongside the Green Bay Packers, leading the round. Greycroft, Verizon Ventures, Haslam Sports Group, 49ers Enterprises, SC Holdings and additional strategic investors participated in the round.

The startup, co-founded by Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins and Troy Jones (pictured above), intends to use the funds to accelerate product development and marketing. As Black entrepreneurs and former football players, Hawkins and Jones established StatusPRO as a way to democratize the experience of professional athletes and create authentic immersive experiences for both athletes and fans, its press release said. About half of its employees are former athletes, too.

StatusPRO combines player data and its AR and VR technology to create a suite of training and gaming products, which use virtual reality headsets. Its training platform uses real-time player data to power holographic experiences that give players the ability to simulate any practice or game scenario without the physical impact that comes with playing the game. The company also is planning to expand into the gaming market, giving spectators a front seat view of the games without leaving the couch.

“As kids, most of us dreamt about being on the field alongside our favorite pro athletes,” said Greycroft Partner Will Szczerbiak. “Imagine breaking a 20 yard scramble as Lamar or running a fast break alongside your favorite NBA player — we believe that StatusPro’s games could become among the most sought after experiences in all of sports.”

StatusPRO’s proprietary technology is being used by several NFL teams including the Baltimore Ravens. The startup also recently partnered with NFL MVP Lamar Jackson to create the Lamar Jackson Experience, a suite products that include an at-home virtual reality game and arcade game.

“The XR [AR and VR] market has seen significant growth in the last 12 months and platforms want to offer consumers new and compelling content,” said Jones, StatusPRO’s CEO. “Securing this investment from partners who not only believe in our vision, but have the experience to help us execute at scale, will allow us to bring unique experiences to athletes, coaches, and fans worldwide and truly define the sports market for XR.”

Follow @ndahlberg on Twitter and email her at [email protected]

Author
Recent Posts

Nancy Dahlberg

I am a writer and editor with extensive media experience and a passion for journalism and serving the community. Most of my career has been spent with the Miami Herald in business news, and my expertise is writing about tech and entrepreneurs. I love hosting this blog for Refresh Miami and we aim to be the go-to site for South Florida startup and tech news, features and views. Have news? Contact me at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

Latest posts by Nancy Dahlberg (see all)