When it comes to sports and technology, StatusPRO not only gets it right but encourages others to see just how significant technology is to the sports industry and vice versa. As athletes, founders Andrew “Hawk” Hawkins and Troy Jones know the importance of using technology to make training more efficient for sports professionals across the nation.
The company marries technology and sports by combining player data, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) to design a suite of training and gaming products. Now, they can continue to execute the vision for their company thanks to a $5.2 million seed round, according to a press release provided to AfroTech.
Led by venture capital firms KB Partners and TitletownTech, the round also received additional backing from 49ers Enterprises, Greycoft, Haslam Sports Group, SC Holdings, Verizon Ventures, and a host of other celebrity investors. This is a huge milestone for both Hawkins and Jones.
“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, CEO and Co-founder, in an official press release. “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.”
Their company was founded to change the way that players experience the game through authentic, immersive experiences. Thanks to the data pulled from real games. the company is well on its way to transforming the AR, VR, and gaming world into something the world has never seen before.
“StatusPRO was built on the notion that practical experience is the most valuable form of expertise,” said Hawkins, Chief Business Officer and Co-founder. “So, we foster a culture that prioritizes and values the diversity of experience and backgrounds of the people and partners who make up the company.”
Partners like National Football League (NFL) MVP Lamar Jackson worked alongside the team to create the Lamar Jackson Experience, a suite of first-person virtual reality products. These include an at-home virtual reality game, arcade games, and live activation.
The technology used in StatusPRO’s overall landscape is even being used across several NFL teams including the Baltimore Ravens.
